6996. qatan
Lexical Summary
qatan: Small, little, insignificant, young, least

Original Word: קָטָן
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: qatan
Pronunciation: kah-TAHN
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-tawn')
KJV: least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantity, thing), young(-er, -est)
Word Origin: [from H6962 (קוּט - To loathe)]

1. abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
least, lesser, little one, smallest, one, quantity, thing, younger,

Or qaton {kaw-tone'}; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance) -- least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantity, thing), young(-er, -est).

see HEBREW quwt

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. קָטָן adjective small, young, unimportant; — absolute ׳ק Genesis 9:24 +; suffix קְטַנָּם (Köii.l,74) Jeremiah 6:13 +; feminine singular קְטַנָּה Genesis 29:16 +; masculine plural קְטַנִּים 2 Kings 18:24 +; construct קְטַנֵּי 1 Samuel 9:21 (see Dr; We conjectures נִּי-, old construct, cf, HPS), Proverbs 30:24; feminine plural קְטַנּוֺת Ezekiel 16:61 +; —

1 small; especially

a. of children, youth = young, Genesis 44:20 (J) 2 Samuel 9:12; 1 Kings 11:17; 2 Kings 2:23; 2 Kings 5:2, of sister Songs 8:8; = younger, of two children (often opposed to גדול), Genesis 9:24; Genesis 27:15,42 (all J), Genesis 29:16,18 (E), 1 Samuel 14:49 (feminine; opposed to הַבְּכִירָה); of younger sister Judges 15:2, so (figurative) Ezekiel 16:46 and (+ מִן compare) Ezekiel 16:61; brother 1 Chronicles 24:31; ׳הַקּ youngest son (of several) 1 Samuel 16:11; 1 Samuel 17:14; גָּדוֺל = young and old (see קָטֹן 1) Jeremiah 16:6 compare 2 Chronicles 31:15; 34:30.

b. of things : utterance Numbers 22:18 (E), weight Deuteronomy 25:13,14, vessels 2Chronicles 36:18, animals Psalm 104:25 (all opposed to גדול); compare also 2 Samuel 12:3; 1 Kings 2:20; 1 Kings 17:13; 1 Kings 18:44; 2 Kings 4:10; Ezekiel 43:14 (opposed to גדול), Proverbs 30:24; Songs 2:15, + probably Ezekiel 46:22 (see II. [ קָטַר]); כְּלֵי הַקָּטָן Isaiah 22:24 the vessels of small size (figurative).

2 small;

a. with added idea of weakness, person 2 Kings 18:24=Isaiah 36:9, city Ecclesiastes 9:14.

b. = insignificant, (I) tribe 1 Samuel 9:21; (2) person (+גדול; = all persons) Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 31:34; Jonah 3:5; Psalm 115:13; Esther 1:5,20, cf . 1 Chronicles 12:14 (van d. H. v.1 Chronicles 12:13); (3) in General, יוֺם קְטַנּוֺת Zechariah 4:10 day of small things. — See also קָטֹן.

קָטֹן54 adjective small, insignificant; — absolute ׳ק 1 Samuel 2:19 +; construct קְטֹן2Chronicles 21:17; — f., plural and suffix supplied by קָטָן; —

1 small: especially

a. of youth = young, ׳נַעַר קּ 1 Samuel 20:35; 1 Kings 3:7; 2 Kings 5:14; Isaiah 11:6; = younger of two brothers, Genesis 48:19 (E) Judges 1:13; Judges 3:9 (+ מִן compare); ׳הַקּ youngest brother Genesis 42:13 10t. Genesis (JE), son Judges 9:5; 2Chronicles 22:1, so קְטֹן בָּנָיו2Chronicles 21:17; + גדול = young and old (see קָטָן 1), i.e. everybodty Genesis 19:11 (J), 1 Samuel 5:9; 1 Samuel 30:2 #NAME? 1 Samuel 30:19.

b. of things 1 Samuel 2:19; 1 Kings 8:64 (+ מִן compare), Amos 6:11; Isaiah 54:7; opposed to גָּדוֺל 1 Samuel 22:15; 1 Samuel 25:36; Genesis 1:16 (P).

2 = unimportant, things, Exodus 18:22,26 (E), 1 Samuel 20:2 (all opposed to גדול); person,=feeble Amos 7:2,5; = insignificant Jeremiah 49:15; Obadiah 2 (both "" בָּזוּי), Isaiah 60:22 ("" צָעִיר); בְּעֵינֶיךָ ׳ק 1 Samuel 15:17; especially + גָּדוֺל = low and high, + everybody, Deuteronomy 1:17; 1 Kings 22:31 2Chronicles 18:30; Jeremiah 8:10; Job 3:19, +8 t. — See also קָטָן.

Topical Lexicon
Word Scope and Usage

קָטָן (qāṭān) is the common Old Testament descriptor for what is “small,” “little,” or “younger.” It can mark physical size, numerical amount, social standing, age, or comparative importance. Its opposite is גָּדוֹל (gādōl, “great”). The term appears in narratives, legal material, poetry, and prophecy, giving a rich portrait of “littleness” in Israel’s life and faith.

Frequency and Distribution

Approximately one-hundred-one occurrences span the canon: 27 in the Pentateuch, 31 in the Former Prophets, 17 in the Writings, and 26 in the Latter Prophets. Its broad spread allows the theme of “small yet significant” to echo from Genesis to Malachi.

Literal Smallness

1. Personal stature or quantity: “If the household is too small for a lamb” (Exodus 12:4).
2. Objects: “You shall not carry two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light” (Deuteronomy 25:13, qāṭān describing the deceptively lighter stone).
3. Settlements: Bethlehem is “small among the clans of Judah” (Micah 5:2), yet becomes the birthplace of Messiah.

Relative Age: The Younger

When set beside an older sibling, qāṭān marks the child born later. Joseph’s brothers speak of Benjamin as “the youngest” (Genesis 42:13). Rebekah clothes “her younger son” Jacob (Genesis 27:15). In royal succession narratives the adjective often underscores the unlikely choice of a younger son for blessing or rule, pointing to divine sovereignty over human conventions.

Social Status and Legal Provisions

Israel’s jurisprudence protects the vulnerable “small”: “You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great” (Deuteronomy 1:17). Covenant gatherings include “your little ones” (Deuteronomy 29:11), affirming every family member’s stake in Yahweh’s pledge.

The Antithesis “Small and Great”

Twelve texts employ the idiom “small and great,” a merism embracing the whole community (e.g., 2 Kings 23:2; 2 Chronicles 34:30). In warfare commands—“Do not fight with small or great, but only with the king of Israel” (1 Kings 22:31)—the phrase stresses indiscriminate scope. God’s judgments likewise sweep the spectrum: “From the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain” (Jeremiah 6:13).

Spiritual Reversals: God Values the Least

Israel’s account celebrates divine preference for what appears insignificant. Gideon protests, “my clan is the weakest” (Judges 6:15; implicit qāṭān), yet God empowers him. Little Samuel hears the word that seasoned priest Eli misses (1 Samuel 3:1–10). The pattern culminates in Micah 5:2, where small Bethlehem yields the eternal ruler.

Prophetic Hope: New Covenant Inclusion

Jeremiah 31:34 accents qāṭān in the promise of universal knowledge of the Lord: “For they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.” The same pairing appears in Hebrews 8:11, linking the term to the inaugurated New Covenant in Christ. The least are not forgotten but are granted immediate access to God.

Worship and Community Life

Temple reforms under Josiah and Hezekiah gather “all the people, from small to great” (2 Kings 23:2; 2 Chronicles 30:25). Corporate joy is incomplete unless the unnoticed and apparently unimportant stand in the assembly. Ezra’s returnees numbered both “men” and “their little ones” (Ezra 8:21), showing covenant renewal embraces children.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

1. Impartiality: Leaders must heed every voice, refusing to favor the influential over the obscure.
2. Children’s discipleship: God involves the youngest; churches must teach and honor them.
3. Humility: Recognizing oneself as qāṭān before God drives dependence and service.
4. Hope for the overlooked: Those judged insignificant are often God’s chosen instruments.

Christological Trajectory

While qāṭān is Hebrew, its concept threads into the Greek ἐλάσσων/μικρός. Jesus blesses “little children” (Matthew 19:14) and warns against despising “one of these little ones” (Matthew 18:10), fulfilling the Old Testament valuation of the least. His kingdom commends mustard-seed faith—small yet potent (Luke 13:18-19)—and measures greatness by servanthood (Mark 9:35).

Representative References

Genesis 9:24; 27:15; 42:13.

Exodus 12:4.

Deuteronomy 1:17; 25:13; 29:11.

Judges 6:15.

1 Samuel 30:2.

2 Kings 23:2.

2 Chronicles 15:13; 34:30.

Ezra 8:21.

Job 3:19.

Psalm 115:13.

Proverbs 30:24.

Ecclesiastes 9:14-15.

Isaiah 60:22.

Jeremiah 6:13; 31:34.

Micah 5:2.

Zechariah 13:7.

See Also

gādōl (Strong’s 1419), “great” – antonym.

ṣaʿîr (Strong’s 6810), “younger, small,” often interchangeable in familial contexts.

Forms and Transliterations
הַ֝קְּטַנִּ֗ים הַקְּטַנִּ֑ים הַקְּטַנָּ֖ה הַקְּטַנָּ֜ה הַקְּטַנָּ֣ה הַקְּטַנָּֽה׃ הַקְּטַנָּה֙ הַקְּטַנּ֖וֹת הַקְטַנִּ֑ים הַקָּטָ֑ן הַקָּטָ֔ן הַקָּטָֽן׃ הַקָּטֹ֔ן הַקָּטֹ֖ן הַקָּטֹ֣ן הַקָּטֹ֤ן הַקָּטֹ֥ן הַקָּטֹ֨ן הַקָּטֹן֙ הַקָּטֹן֮ הקטן הקטן׃ הקטנה הקטנה׃ הקטנות הקטנים וְהַקְּטַנִּ֔ים וְהַקָּטֹ֥ן וּבַקָּטֹ֖ן וּקְטַנִּ֛ים וּקְטַנָּֽה׃ ובקטן והקטן והקטנים וקטנה׃ וקטנים כַּקָּטָֽן׃ כַּקָּטֹ֣ן כַּקָּטֹ֤ן כַּקָּטֹ֧ן כקטן כקטן׃ לְמִקְטַנָּ֤ם לְמִקָּטֹ֣ן לְמִקָּטֹ֥ן למקטן למקטנם מִקְּטַנָּם֙ מִקַּטַנֵּי֙ מִקָּטֹ֖ן מִקָּטֹ֣ן מִקָּטֹ֤ן מִקָּטֹ֥ן מִקָּטֹן֙ מקטן מקטני מקטנם קְ֝טַנּ֗וֹת קְטַנִּ֖ים קְטַנִּים֙ קְטַנֵּי־ קְטַנָּ֑ה קְטַנָּ֔ה קְטַנָּ֖ה קְטַנָּ֤ה קְטַנָּ֥ה קְטַנָּֽם׃ קְטַנָּה֙ קְטַנּוֹת֒ קְטֹ֥ן קָטָ֑ן קָטָ֖ן קָטָ֛ן קָטָֽן׃ קָטֹ֔ן קָטֹ֖ן קָטֹ֗ן קָטֹ֛ן קָטֹ֣ן קָטֹ֤ן קָטֹן֙ קטן קטן׃ קטנה קטנות קטני־ קטנים קטנם׃ hakkaTan hakkaTon hakketanNah hakketanNim hakketanNot haktanNim haq·qā·ṭān haq·qā·ṭōn haq·qə·ṭan·nāh haq·qə·ṭan·nîm haq·qə·ṭan·nō·wṯ haq·ṭan·nîm haqqāṭān haqqāṭōn haqqəṭannāh haqqəṭannîm haqqəṭannōwṯ haqṭannîm kakkaTan kakkaTon kaq·qā·ṭān kaq·qā·ṭōn kaqqāṭān kaqqāṭōn kaTan kaTon ketanNah ketanNam ketannei ketanNim ketanNot keTon lə·miq·qā·ṭōn lə·miq·ṭan·nām lemikkaTon lemiktanNam ləmiqqāṭōn ləmiqṭannām mikkatanNei mikkaTon mikketanNam miq·qa·ṭan·nê miq·qā·ṭōn miq·qə·ṭan·nām miqqaṭannê miqqāṭōn miqqəṭannām qā·ṭān qā·ṭōn qāṭān qāṭōn qə·ṭan·nāh qə·ṭan·nām qə·ṭan·nê- qə·ṭan·nîm qə·ṭan·nō·wṯ qə·ṭōn qəṭannāh qəṭannām qəṭannê- qəṭannîm qəṭannōwṯ qəṭōn ū·ḇaq·qā·ṭōn ū·qə·ṭan·nāh ū·qə·ṭan·nîm ūḇaqqāṭōn uketanNah uketanNim ūqəṭannāh ūqəṭannîm uvakkaTon vehakkaTon vehakketanNim wə·haq·qā·ṭōn wə·haq·qə·ṭan·nîm wəhaqqāṭōn wəhaqqəṭannîm
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 1:16
HEB: וְאֶת־ הַמָּא֤וֹר הַקָּטֹן֙ לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת הַלַּ֔יְלָה
NAS: the day, and the lesser light
KJV: the day, and the lesser light
INT: the day light and the lesser to govern the night

Genesis 9:24
HEB: ל֖וֹ בְּנ֥וֹ הַקָּטָֽן׃
NAS: he knew what his youngest son had done
KJV: and knew what his younger son
INT: had done son his youngest

Genesis 19:11
HEB: הִכּוּ֙ בַּסַּנְוֵרִ֔ים מִקָּטֹ֖ן וְעַד־ גָּד֑וֹל
NAS: both small and great,
KJV: with blindness, both small and great:
INT: struck blindness small against and great

Genesis 27:15
HEB: יַעֲקֹ֖ב בְּנָ֥הּ הַקָּטָֽן׃
NAS: and put them on Jacob her younger son.
KJV: Jacob her younger son:
INT: Jacob son her younger

Genesis 27:42
HEB: לְיַעֲקֹב֙ בְּנָ֣הּ הַקָּטָ֔ן וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו
NAS: and called her younger son
KJV: Jacob her younger son,
INT: Jacob son her younger and said to him

Genesis 29:16
HEB: לֵאָ֔ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַקְּטַנָּ֖ה רָחֵֽל׃
NAS: and the name of the younger was Rachel.
KJV: and the name of the younger [was] Rachel.
INT: was Leah and the name of the younger was Rachel

Genesis 29:18
HEB: בְּרָחֵ֥ל בִּתְּךָ֖ הַקְּטַנָּֽה׃
NAS: years for your younger daughter
KJV: years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
INT: Rachel daughter your younger

Genesis 42:13
HEB: כְּנָ֑עַן וְהִנֵּ֨ה הַקָּטֹ֤ן אֶת־ אָבִ֙ינוּ֙
NAS: and behold, the youngest is with our father
KJV: of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest [is] this day
INT: of Canaan and behold the youngest is with our father

Genesis 42:15
HEB: בְּב֛וֹא אֲחִיכֶ֥ם הַקָּטֹ֖ן הֵֽנָּה׃
NAS: place unless your youngest brother
KJV: ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother
INT: comes brother your youngest here

Genesis 42:20
HEB: וְאֶת־ אֲחִיכֶ֤ם הַקָּטֹן֙ תָּבִ֣יאוּ אֵלַ֔י
NAS: and bring your youngest brother
KJV: But bring your youngest brother
INT: brother your youngest and bring about

Genesis 42:32
HEB: הָאֶחָ֣ד אֵינֶ֔נּוּ וְהַקָּטֹ֥ן הַיּ֛וֹם אֶת־
NAS: is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father
KJV: one [is] not, and the youngest [is] this day
INT: one is no and the youngest today is with

Genesis 42:34
HEB: אֶת־ אֲחִיכֶ֣ם הַקָּטֹן֮ אֵלַי֒ וְאֵֽדְעָ֗ה
NAS: But bring your youngest brother
KJV: And bring your youngest brother
INT: bring brother your youngest to me may know

Genesis 43:29
HEB: הֲזֶה֙ אֲחִיכֶ֣ם הַקָּטֹ֔ן אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם
NAS: Is this your youngest brother,
KJV: and said, [Is] this your younger brother,
INT: is this brother your youngest of whom spoke

Genesis 44:2
HEB: בְּפִי֙ אַמְתַּ֣חַת הַקָּטֹ֔ן וְאֵ֖ת כֶּ֣סֶף
NAS: of the sack of the youngest, and his money
KJV: mouth of the youngest, and his corn
INT: the mouth of the sack of the youngest and his money the grain

Genesis 44:12
HEB: בַּגָּד֣וֹל הֵחֵ֔ל וּבַקָּטֹ֖ן כִּלָּ֑ה וַיִּמָּצֵא֙
NAS: and ending with the youngest, and the cup
KJV: and left at the youngest: and the cup
INT: the oldest beginning the youngest and ending was found

Genesis 44:20
HEB: וְיֶ֥לֶד זְקֻנִ֖ים קָטָ֑ן וְאָחִ֨יו מֵ֜ת
NAS: father and a little child
KJV: of his old age, a little one; and his brother
INT: child of old little now his brother is dead

Genesis 44:23
HEB: יֵרֵ֛ד אֲחִיכֶ֥ם הַקָּטֹ֖ן אִתְּכֶ֑ם לֹ֥א
NAS: however, 'Unless your youngest brother
KJV: Except your youngest brother
INT: comes brother your youngest for not

Genesis 44:26
HEB: יֵשׁ֩ אָחִ֨ינוּ הַקָּטֹ֤ן אִתָּ֙נוּ֙ וְיָרַ֔דְנוּ
NAS: If our youngest brother
KJV: go down: if our youngest brother
INT: be brother our youngest for down

Genesis 44:26
HEB: הָאִ֔ישׁ וְאָחִ֥ינוּ הַקָּטֹ֖ן אֵינֶ֥נּוּ אִתָּֽנוּ׃
NAS: unless our youngest brother
KJV: except our youngest brother
INT: the man's brother our youngest unless for

Genesis 48:19
HEB: וְאוּלָ֗ם אָחִ֤יו הַקָּטֹן֙ יִגְדַּ֣ל מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
NAS: However, his younger brother
KJV: but truly his younger brother
INT: However brother his younger shall be greater than

Exodus 18:22
HEB: וְכָל־ הַדָּבָ֥ר הַקָּטֹ֖ן יִשְׁפְּטוּ־ הֵ֑ם
NAS: to you, but every minor dispute
KJV: they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter
INT: every dispute minor will judge like

Exodus 18:26
HEB: וְכָל־ הַדָּבָ֥ר הַקָּטֹ֖ן יִשְׁפּוּט֥וּ הֵֽם׃
NAS: but every minor dispute
KJV: unto Moses, but every small matter
INT: every dispute minor judge like

Numbers 22:18
HEB: אֱלֹהָ֔י לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת קְטַנָּ֖ה א֥וֹ גְדוֹלָֽה׃
NAS: not do anything, either small or
KJV: my God, to do less or more.
INT: my God do small or great

Deuteronomy 1:17
HEB: פָנִ֜ים בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט כַּקָּטֹ֤ן כַּגָּדֹל֙ תִּשְׁמָע֔וּן
NAS: you shall hear the small and the great
KJV: [but] ye shall hear the small as well as the great;
INT: persons judgment the small and the great shall hear

Deuteronomy 25:13
HEB: וָאָ֑בֶן גְּדוֹלָ֖ה וּקְטַנָּֽה׃ ס
NAS: weights, a large and a small.
KJV: divers weights, a great and a small.
INT: weights A large small

101 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6996
101 Occurrences


haq·qā·ṭān — 8 Occ.
haq·qā·ṭōn — 21 Occ.
haq·qə·ṭan·nāh — 6 Occ.
haq·qə·ṭan·nîm — 2 Occ.
haq·qə·ṭan·nō·wṯ — 1 Occ.
haq·ṭan·nîm — 1 Occ.
kaq·qā·ṭān — 1 Occ.
kaq·qā·ṭōn — 3 Occ.
qā·ṭān — 6 Occ.
qā·ṭōn — 18 Occ.
qə·ṭan·nāh — 9 Occ.
qə·ṭan·nām — 1 Occ.
qə·ṭan·nê- — 1 Occ.
qə·ṭan·nîm — 2 Occ.
qə·ṭan·nō·wṯ — 2 Occ.
qə·ṭōn — 1 Occ.
lə·miq·qā·ṭōn — 2 Occ.
lə·miq·ṭan·nām — 1 Occ.
miq·qa·ṭan·nê — 1 Occ.
miq·qā·ṭōn — 7 Occ.
miq·qə·ṭan·nām — 1 Occ.
ū·qə·ṭan·nāh — 2 Occ.
ū·qə·ṭan·nîm — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇaq·qā·ṭōn — 1 Occ.
wə·haq·qā·ṭōn — 1 Occ.
wə·haq·qə·ṭan·nîm — 1 Occ.

6995
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