8385. ta'anah

Lexicon

ta'anah: Answer, response

Original Word: תַּאֲנָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: ta'anah
Pronunciation: tah-an-AH
Phonetic Spelling: (tah-an-aw')
Definition: Answer, response
Meaning: an opportunity, purpose

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

fig tree

Or tonanah {to-an-aw'}; from 'anah; an opportunity or (subjectively) purpose -- occasion.

see HEBREW 'anah

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[תַּאֲנָה noun feminine occasion, time of copulation; suffix תַּאֲנָתָהּ i.e. of wild ass Jeremiah 2:24.

תֹּאֲנָה

noun feminine opportunity, i.e. ground of quarrel; of Samson, followed by מִן Judges 14:4.

אָֽנָּ֫ה see אָֽנָּ֫א. above

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root תָּאַן (ta'an), which is not used in the Hebrew Bible but is related to the concept of seeking or finding an occasion.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G468 (ἀφορμή • aphormē): This Greek term is used in the New Testament to denote an "occasion" or "opportunity," often in the context of providing a pretext or reason for action. It carries a similar connotation of seeking a justification or occasion for behavior.
• G1557 (ἐφεδρεία • ephedreia): Although less directly related, this term can imply a reserve or strategic opportunity, aligning with the concept of seeking an occasion or pretext.

These Greek terms reflect similar themes of seeking or utilizing opportunities, often with an underlying purpose or motive, paralleling the Hebrew concept of תַּאֲנָה.

Usage: The word תַּאֲנָה appears in the Hebrew Bible in contexts where individuals are seeking an occasion or pretext to act, often with a negative connotation, such as finding fault or creating a justification for conflict.

Context: תַּאֲנָה (ta'anah) is a noun that appears in the Hebrew Bible to describe an "opportunity" or "occasion," often with the implication of a pretext or contrived reason for action. This term is used in narratives where characters seek to justify their actions or intentions, sometimes with ulterior motives. For example, in Judges 14:4, the term is used to describe how the LORD was seeking an occasion against the Philistines through Samson's marriage. The word suggests a deliberate search for a reason or justification, often in a context of conflict or confrontation.

In the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), Judges 14:4 reads: "Now his father and mother did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel."

The use of תַּאֲנָה highlights the complexity of human motives and divine providence, where actions and events are often driven by deeper purposes and intentions, both human and divine.

Forms and Transliterations

תַּאֲנָתָ֖הּ תֹאֲנָ֥ה תאנה תאנתה ta’ănāṯāh ta·’ă·nā·ṯāh taanaTah ṯō’ănāh ṯō·’ă·nāh toaNah

Englishman's Concordance

Judges 14:4
HEB: הִ֔יא כִּי־ תֹאֲנָ֥ה הֽוּא־ מְבַקֵּ֖שׁ
NAS: for He was seeking an occasion against
KJV: that he sought an occasion against the Philistines:
INT: he for an occasion He was seeking

Jeremiah 2:24
HEB: שָׁאֲפָ֣ה ר֔וּחַ תַּאֲנָתָ֖הּ מִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶ֑נָּה
NAS: in her passion. In [the time of] her heat who
KJV: at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away?
INT: sniffs the wind heat who turn

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8385
2 Occurrences

ta·’ă·nā·ṯāh — 1 Occ.
ṯō·’ă·nāh — 1 Occ.