Lexical Summary tachanah: Station, Encampment, Resting Place Original Word: תַּחֲנָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tahan From chanah; (only plural collectively) an encampment -- camp. see HEBREW chanah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chanah Definition an encamping, encampment NASB Translation camp (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תַּחֲנָה] noun feminine encamping, or encampment; — plural suffix תַּחֲנֹתִי (si vera 1.) אֶלמְֿקוֺם מְּנִֹי אַלְמֹנִי 2 Kings 6:8, unto such and such a place is my encamping; but form very strange. Read probably תֵּחָֽבְאוּ ye shall hide yourselves, so ᵑ6 Th Klo. Topical Lexicon Term Overview The noun תַּחֲנָה portrays a fixed military encampment or station. It conveys more than a temporary halt; it denotes an organized base of operations, marked by strategy, supply, and a defined sphere of authority. Biblical Occurrence 2 Kings 6 records the single appearance: “Now the king of Aram was waging war against Israel, so he conferred with his servants, saying, ‘My camp will be in such and such a place.’” (2 Kings 6:8) Here תַּחֲנָה identifies the Aramean king’s covert staging ground for repeated raids into Israel. Historical Setting of 2 Kings 6 The narrative unfolds during the prophetic ministry of Elisha in the ninth century B.C. Aram (modern-day Syria) sought to exploit Israel’s political instability after the division of Solomon’s kingdom. Raiding parties were a common tactic: swift, localized strikes launched from secluded encampments near trade routes or border towns. These bases had to be concealed, supplied, and defensible—features implicit in the term. Military and Cultural Significance of Encampments 1. Strategic Control: An encampment signaled territorial claim (Judges 6:4; 1 Samuel 17:1, though different Hebrew terms) and served as a command center for reconnaissance and ambush. Divine Intervention at the Encampment Elisha repeatedly warned the king of Israel of Aram’s secret stations, thwarting every plan. The text stresses omniscient Providence over human stratagems: “Elisha sent word to the king of Israel: ‘Beware of passing by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.’” (2 Kings 6:9) Thus, one earthly תַּחֲנָה was continually exposed by the heavenly Host encamping around the righteous (Psalm 34:7). Spiritual Principles • God’s knowledge penetrates every hidden camp; no enemy stronghold escapes His sight. Applications for Preaching and Teaching • Discernment: Encourage congregations to seek God’s wisdom against subtle threats. Intertextual Parallels While תַּחֲנָה is unique, the idea of an encampment saturates Scripture: Summary תַּחֲנָה signifies more than a military campsite; it embodies the clash between human schemes and divine sovereignty. Its lone appearance crystallizes a timeless assurance: God exposes and overrules every hostile encampment, safeguarding His covenant people and vindicating those who trust His word. Forms and Transliterations תַּחֲנֹתִֽי׃ תחנתי׃ ta·ḥă·nō·ṯî tachanoTi taḥănōṯîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 6:8 HEB: פְּלֹנִ֥י אַלְמֹנִ֖י תַּחֲנֹתִֽי׃ NAS: and such a place shall be my camp. KJV: and such a place [shall be] my camp. INT: such and such shall be my camp 1 Occurrence |