Lexical Summary toren: Mast, flagstaff Original Word: תֹּרֶן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beacon, mast Probably for 'oren; a pole (as a mast or flag-staff) -- beacon, mast. see HEBREW 'oren NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a mast NASB Translation flag (1), mast (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs תֹּ֫רֶן noun masculine mast (Late Hebrew id.; √ unknown; HoffmPhoenician Inscr. 27 f. conjecture תארן, from ארן, see אֹרֶן); — absolute ׳ת, of Tyre as ship Ezekiel 27:5; עַלרֿאֹשׁ הָהָר ׳ת Isaiah 30:17 ("" נֵם), i.e. a (solitary) standard-pole, flag-staff; suffix תָּרְנָם Isaiah 33:23 ("" נֵם חֲבָלִים. תַּרְעֵלָה see [רעל]. Topical Lexicon Meaning within the Old Testament Setting The noun תֹּרֶן is used of a tall upright timber—most naturally the mainmast or flagstaff of a ship, but by extension any conspicuous pole set aloft. Each occurrence employs the object’s height and singularity to communicate either vulnerability or great prominence. Occurrences in Scripture • Isaiah 30:17 pictures Judah’s defenders reduced “until you are left as a solitary mast on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill”. A single pole, stripped of its supporting army, is an arresting emblem of isolation. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near-Eastern navies placed immense strategic value on sturdy masts. Cedar from Lebanon was prized for its straight grain and resistance to rot, providing the backbone for deep-sea travel and commerce. Isaiah’s and Ezekiel’s audiences would have recognized that a mast’s failure spelled helpless drift before wind and wave. Conversely, a lone flagstaff on a hill served as a rallying point in warfare, guiding scattered troops back to order. Prophetic Purposes and Theological Themes 1. Human strength exposed. By likening proud nations to a ship whose mast has collapsed (Isaiah 33:23) or to a lone pole abandoned on a mountaintop (Isaiah 30:17), the prophets underscore the futility of self-reliance apart from the LORD. Foreshadowings of the Gospel Early Christian teachers sometimes saw in the fallen mast a pointer to the wooden cross: the world deemed it weakness, yet God made it the instrument of salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18). Just as the failing mast leaves the ship adrift, so the fallen race is helpless until rescued by the crucified and risen Christ. Applications for Preaching and Discipleship • Warn against misplaced confidence—whether in economic might, political alliances, or personal abilities. Key Takeaways A תֹּרֶן can signify either dignity or downfall, depending on whether it stands under God’s blessing or is toppled by His judgment. The upright pole thus becomes a vivid invitation to lift our eyes from human structures to the unshakable faithfulness of the Lord of Hosts. Forms and Transliterations כַּתֹּ֙רֶן֙ כתרן תָּרְנָם֙ תֹּ֖רֶן תרן תרנם kat·tō·ren katToren kattōren tā·rə·nām tareNam tārənām tō·ren Toren tōrenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 30:17 HEB: אִם־ נוֹתַרְתֶּ֗ם כַּתֹּ֙רֶן֙ עַל־ רֹ֣אשׁ NAS: you are left as a flag on a mountain KJV: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top INT: lo are left A flag and top Isaiah 33:23 Ezekiel 27:5 3 Occurrences |
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