Lexical Summary tachton: Lower, lowest, nether Original Word: תַּחְתּוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tahath Or tachton {takh-tone'}; from tachath; bottommost -- lower(-est), nether(-most). see HEBREW tachath NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tachath Definition lower, lowest NASB Translation lower (11), lowest (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs תַּחְתּוֺן adjective lower, lowest; — absolute ׳תּ Joshua 16:3 +, feminine singular תֹּנָה- Isaiah 22:9 +, feminine plural תֹּנֹת- Ezekiel 42:5,6; — lower, Isaiah 22:9 ׳הַבְּרֵכָה הַתּ the lower pool (in Jerusalem), of pavement and gate of outer (lower). temple-court Ezekiel 40:18,19 (l. הַתַּחְתּוֺן ׳השּׁ), of lower ledge (עֲזָרְה) of altar, Ezekiel 43:14; of the lowest of the three stories of side-chambers surrounding the temple, 1 Kings 6:6 ׳הַיָּצוּעַ הַתּ, + 1 Kings 6:8a (see תִּיכוֺן), Ezekiel 41:7 (read וּמִן for וְבֵן), Ezekiel 42:5,6; in place-name, ׳בֵּיתחֹֿרוֺן תּ Joshua 16:3; Joshua 18:13; 1 Kings 9:17 ("" 2 Chronicles 8:5 ׳הַתּ), ׳בֵּיתחֹֿרוֺן הַתּ 1 Chronicles 7:24; 2Chronicles 8:5. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 8481, תַּחְתּוֹן, marks what is “lower” or “nether” in relation to something higher. Across its thirteen Old Testament occurrences it consistently distinguishes lower spaces—towns, accounts of a building, courts of the temple, or pools—from their upper counterparts. This spatial distinction carries theological and practical implications concerning security, worship, and the progressive movement toward God’s presence. Geographical Usage: Lower Beth-horon Five texts name “Lower Beth-horon” (Joshua 16:3; Joshua 18:13; 1 Kings 9:17; 1 Chronicles 7:24; 2 Chronicles 8:5). Perched on the descent from the central Benjamin plateau to the coastal plain, Lower Beth-horon formed the first of two fortified settlements guarding the ascent to the heartland of Israel. Victory at Beth-horon (Joshua 10) underscored the Lord’s intervention on behalf of His people; maintaining both the lower and upper towns safeguarded future generations. Solomon and later kings therefore fortified the site, illustrating the ongoing need to secure foundational positions before expansion. Architectural Usage: Temple Side Chambers 1 Kings 6:6 sets תַּחְתּוֹן in the blueprint for Solomon’s temple: “The lowest chamber was five cubits wide, the middle six cubits, and the third seven cubits”. The ascending widths created a stepped exterior, allowing beams to rest without piercing the sanctuary walls. Beginning with the lower story, craftsmen worked upward, mirroring the worshiper’s own movement from the ordinary to the holy. The verse affirms God-given order in sacred architecture, where even the ground-floor spaces contribute to the integrity and holiness of the whole. Water Systems: The Lower Pool of Jerusalem Isaiah 22:9 notes Jerusalem’s defensive preparations: “You collected water from the lower pool”. In times of siege, reliable water at the city’s lowest elevation was essential. The “lower pool” reminds readers that strategic foresight and physical provision undergird spiritual trust; responsible stewardship of resources harmonizes with dependence on God. Prophetic Vision: Ezekiel’s Lower Pavement and Ledges Ezekiel employs תַּחְתּוֹן multiple times (40:18-19; 41:7; 42:5-6; 43:14) in his detailed temple vision. The prophet records a “lower pavement,” “lower chambers,” and a “lowest ledge,” each forming the base for subsequent levels: “The lower pavement ran along the sides of the gateways” (Ezekiel 40:18). “They widened as one went upward, surrounding the temple on all sides from the lower to the upper tier” (Ezekiel 41:7). This graded ascent safeguards structural soundness and symbolizes the progressive nearness to divine glory. Holiness intensifies as worshipers move from the outer court toward the inner sanctuary; yet the vision begins at the lower pavement, teaching that genuine worship is anchored in humble beginnings. Theology of Elevation and Humility While upper accounts and higher ground often represent exaltation, Scripture repeatedly honors what is lower: the soil that bears fruit (Genesis 1:11), the valley where shepherds watch flocks (Luke 2:8), and the basin where Christ washes feet (John 13:5). תַּחְתּוֹן reinforces this pattern. Foundational structures, secure footholds, and humble service make elevation possible. The Lord “raises the poor from the dust” (Psalm 113:7); the ascent starts from below. Ministry Insights 1. Establishing Lower Beth-horon highlights the call to shore up spiritual “gateways” through discipleship and prayer before pressing outward in ministry. Conclusion תַּחְתּוֹן, though a simple spatial term, draws attention to the indispensable “lower places” in Israel’s geography, architecture, and spiritual life. By valuing what is foundational, Scripture points the way upward—toward security in the land, integrity in worship, and ultimate communion with the Lord. Forms and Transliterations הַתַּחְתֹּנָ֜ה הַתַּחְתּ֑וֹן הַתַּחְתּ֖וֹן הַתַּחְתּ֜וֹנָה הַתַּחְתּוֹנָ֛ה הַתַּחְתּוֹנָֽה׃ הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה֙ התחתון התחתונה התחתונה׃ התחתנה מֵֽהַתַּחְתֹּנ֛וֹת מֵהַתַּחְתּוֹנ֛וֹת מהתחתונות מהתחתנות תַּחְתּ֖וֹן תַּחְתּֽוֹן׃ תחתון תחתון׃ hat·taḥ·tō·nāh hat·taḥ·tō·w·nāh hat·taḥ·tō·wn hattachTon hattachtoNah hattaḥtōnāh hattaḥtōwn hattaḥtōwnāh mê·hat·taḥ·tō·nō·wṯ mê·hat·taḥ·tō·w·nō·wṯ mehattachtoNot mêhattaḥtōnōwṯ mêhattaḥtōwnōwṯ tachTon taḥ·tō·wn taḥtōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 16:3 HEB: בֵּית־ חוֹרֹ֛ן תַּחְתּ֖וֹן וְעַד־ גָּ֑זֶר NAS: as the territory of lower Beth-horon KJV: of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: INT: as the territory Beth-horon of lower far to Gezer Joshua 18:13 1 Kings 6:6 1 Kings 9:17 1 Chronicles 7:24 2 Chronicles 8:5 Isaiah 22:9 Ezekiel 40:18 Ezekiel 40:19 Ezekiel 41:7 Ezekiel 42:5 Ezekiel 42:6 Ezekiel 43:14 13 Occurrences |
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