כּוּן

From the study of Proverbs 16:3

Range of meaning

In the passive-reflexive (Niphal) stem used here: to be firm, fixed, established, secure, lasting; to be set up, made ready; to stand fast. In the causative stems: to set up, establish, prepare, direct.

Against the English

KJV, ESV and NASB have 'be established', which is accurate. BSB 'will be achieved', WEB 'shall succeed' and NLT 'will succeed' narrow it to completion or success. Kun is less about crossing a finish line and more about stability: something set on a foundation so that it stands and lasts. NIV makes it active, 'he will establish', which supplies God as subject. That reading is defensible but adds a word the Hebrew leaves unstated.

Used elsewhere in the period

Proverbs uses it for what endures against what collapses: 'a man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved' (12:3); 'truthful lips are established forever' (12:19); 'by righteousness a throne is established' (16:12; compare 25:5; 29:14); 'plans (maḥšābôt, the same noun as here) are established by counsel' (20:18). It is also used of the world: 'the world is established; it cannot be moved' (Ps 93:1). Most tellingly, the same root comes back six verses later: 'A man's heart plans his way, but YHWH establishes his steps' (16:9).

From the study of Proverbs 24:3

Range of meaning

To be firm, set fast, stable. In other verb forms it means to set up, prepare, make ready, or establish so as to endure. It is used of buildings, thrones, kingdoms, the earth and the heavens, and a person's steps or plans.

Against the English

'Established' is a fair rendering, but today it often means 'founded, started' (as in 'established 1952'). The Hebrew means 'made to stand firm, secured, lasting'. NLT's 'becomes strong' catches this sense better.

How it drifted

English 'establish' originally meant 'make stable' (from Latin stabilis). Its commercial and legal sense of 'found, set up' now dominates.

Used elsewhere in the period

Numbers 21:27 has the exact same verb pair: 'let the city of Sihon be built and established' (tibbaneh we-tikkonen). 'By understanding he established (konen) the heavens' (Prov 3:19). 'Your throne shall be established (nakhon) forever' (2 Sam 7:16). 'A man is not established by wickedness' (Prov 12:3). 'A throne is established by righteousness' (16:12). 'Prepare (hakhen) your work outside… afterward build your house' (24:27).

From the study of Proverbs 3:19

Range of meaning

Basic sense: to be firm, fixed, upright. The intensive form used here (konen) means to set up firmly, make secure, fit in place, and also to prepare or make ready. It is used of God setting up a sanctuary (Exod 15:17), a throne or kingdom (2 Sam 7:13), the moon and stars (Ps 8:3), and the earth (Ps 24:2; Isa 45:18).

Against the English

'Established' (most versions) is good. YLT's 'prepared' reflects the 'make ready' side of the word (as does the Greek LXX, hētoimasen), but loses the sense of firmness. NIV's 'set ... in place' is concrete and accurate.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exod 15:17: 'the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established (konenu)', the same verb form used for the temple. Prov 8:27: 'when he established (ba-hakhino) the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there.' Prov 24:3: by understanding a house 'is established' (yitkonan).