תׇּכְנִית

From the study of Ezekiel 28:12

Range of meaning

From the root t-k-n, 'to measure, weigh, regulate': God 'weighs' hearts (Prov 16:2) and 'measures' the heavens (Isa 40:12; compare Job 28:25). So the noun means a measure, a proportion, or a well-measured design. It is very rare: here and Ezek 43:10, where the exiles are told to 'measure the plan' of the visionary temple.

Against the English

'Perfection' (BSB, NIV, ESV) is a fair guess at the idea, but it brings in moral overtones that the word does not have. 'Full measure' (WEB) and 'sum' (KJV) stay closer to the root of measuring. LXX and Vulgate have 'likeness', which may reflect a text reading tabnit, 'pattern' or 'model'.

How it drifted

'Perfection' in English easily means moral flawlessness or sinlessness. The Hebrew picture is about proportion and design, a perfectly measured piece of work.

Used elsewhere in the period

Its only other use, 43:10, concerns the temple's blueprint, which suggests an architect's or craftsman's term. The Greek rendering homoiōsis, 'likeness', is the same word the Greek Genesis uses for humanity made 'according to (God's) likeness' (Gen 1:26 LXX). The Greek translator may therefore have heard an echo of the first human here.

From the study of Ezekiel 43:10

Range of meaning

From the root t-k-n, 'to weigh, measure out, regulate, set right' (1 Sam 2:3 'by him deeds are weighed'; Prov 16:2 'the LORD weighs the spirit'; Isa 40:12 'measured out the heavens'). The noun means measured proportion, exact design, perfection of form.

Against the English

KJV/WEB 'pattern' and BSB/ESV/NASB 'plan' are reasonable, but they can sound like a mere blueprint. Some renderings draw out the sense of 'perfection' or exact proportion. 'Pattern' can also make English readers think of the tabernacle 'pattern' shown to Moses, which is a different Hebrew word (tabnît, Exod 25:9, 40).

How it drifted

English 'pattern' brings in the Moses and tabernacle associations, and through Hebrews 8:5 the idea of a heavenly copy. Ezekiel may well intend a Moses parallel, but toknît itself stresses measured perfection, not a copy of a heavenly original.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used only twice in the Bible. In Ezek 28:12 the king of Tyre is addressed as 'sealer of toknît,' usually rendered 'model/signet of perfection,' the image of flawless proportion. Interpreters both ancient and modern have found the word hard. The Greek translators seem to have read or understood a different text here (see textual notes).