Original Word: זָקֵן
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: zaqen
Pronunciation: zah-KANE
Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-kane')
KJV: aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men andwomen), senator
NASB: elders, old, old man, old men, aged, elder, old women
Word Origin: [from H2204 (זָקֵן - old)]

1. old

aged, ancient man, elder, old man, men and

From zaqen; old -- aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator.

see HEBREW zaqen

Word Origin
from the same as zaqan
Definition
old
NASB Translation
aged (3), aged* (1), elder (3), elders (132), old (21), old man (7), old men (7), old women (1), older (1), oldest (1), senior (1).

זָקֵן adjective old, absolute ׳ז Genesis 19:4 30t. (on distinction from verb see above); construct זְקַן Genesis 24:2; plural זְקֵנִים Genesis 18:11 44t.; זְקֵנוֺת Zechariah 8:4; construct זִקְנֵי Genesis 50:7 85t.; suffix זְקֵנַי Lamentations 1:19, זְקֵנֶיךָ Deuteronomy 21:2; Deuteronomy 32:7, זְקֵנָיו Joshua 8:33 3t., זְקֵנֶיהָ Judges 8:14, זְקֵנֵינוּ Exodus 10:9; Joshua 9:11, זִקְנֵיכֶם Deuteronomy 5:20 2t.; —

1 old, of human beings, as adjective predicate Genesis 18:11 (J), Job 32:4 (מִמֶּנּוּ לְיָמִים ׳ז, in comparison), or attributive אָב זָקֵן Genesis 44:20 (J), ׳אִישׁ ז Judges 19:16,17,20,22, ׳נָבִיא ז 1 Kings 13:11,25,29, ׳מֶלֶךְ ז Ecclesiastes 4:13; probably also וּשְׂבַע ימים ׳ז Genesis 35:29 (P), Job 42:17 and Genesis 25:8 (P) according to ᵐ5 Sam Di; compare also Ezra 3:12.

2 usually as substantive:

a. old man (or woman),

b. elder; a. old man Genesis 43:27 (J), Leviticus 19:32 (H), Deuteronomy 28:50; Deuteronomy 32:7 ("" אָב), 1 Samuel 2:31,32; 1 Samuel 28:14; Isaiah 47:6; Job 12:20; Job 32:9; Proverbs 17:6; Proverbs 20:29; Psalm 119:100; Joel 1:2; old men and old women Zechariah 8:4 (twice in verse); compare זְקַן בֵּיתוֺ Genesis 24:2 (J), זִקְנֵי בֵיתוֺ 2 Samuel 12:17; especially opposed to נַעַר Exodus 10:9 (E), Isaiah 3:5; Isaiah 20:4; Jeremiah 51:22; Lamentations 2:21; Psalm 148:12, and in phrase מִנַּעַר וְעַד זָקֵן Genesis 19:4 (J), Joshua 6:21 (JE), Esther 3:13; opposed to ילדים 1 Kings 12:6,8,13 2Chron 10:6; 10:8; 10:13; opposed to בַּחוּרִים Jeremiah 31:13; Ezekiel 9:6; Joel 3:1, compare 2Chronicles 36:17 (+ יָשֵׁשׁ) and Jeremiah 6:11 (+ מְלֵא ימים); opposed to עוּל ימים Isaiah 65:20; opposed to יונקי שׁדים and עוללים Joel 2:16. b. usually plural elders, as having authority, term techn. (100 t. +); elders of a people, especially Israel Exodus 3:16,18; Exodus 12:21 (all J), Exodus 17:5,6; Exodus 18:12; Exodus 19:7; Exodus 24:1,9,14; Joshua 24:1 (all E), Numbers 11:16 (twice in verse) (שֹׁטְרָיו), Numbers 11:24; Numbers 11:25; Numbers 11:30; Numbers 16:25; Joshua 7:6; Joshua 8:10; Joshua 9:11 (all J E), Deuteronomy 5:20 ("" רָאשֵׁי שִׁבְטֵיכֶם), Deuteronomy 27:1; Deuteronomy 29:9 ("" ראשׁי שׁבטיכם, שֹׁטְרֵיכֶם), Deuteronomy 31:9,28; Joshua 8:33 ("" שֹׁטְרִים וְשֹׁפְטָיו), Joshua 23:2 ("" רָאשׁיו, שֹׁפְטָיו, שֹׁטְרָיו); compare also probably Joshua 24:31 = Judges 2:7 (all D); Leviticus 9:1, compare זִקְנֵי הָעֵדָה Leviticus 4:15 ( both P), Judges 21:16; see also 1 Samuel 4:3; 1 Samuel 8:4; 1 Samuel 15:30; 2 Samuel 3:17; 2 Samuel 5:3 = 1 Chronicles 11:3; 2 Samuel 17:4,15; 1 Kings 8:1,32Chronicles 5:2,4, also 1 Chronicles 15:25; 1 Chronicles 21:16; compare Isaiah 3:2 (גִּבּוֺר וְאִישׁ מִלְחָמָ֑ה ׳שׁוֺפֵט וְנָבִיא וְקֹסֵם וְז), Isaiah 9:14 ("" נְשׂוּאפָֿנִים, but see probably gloss, compare Ew Che Di Du and others); elders of one tribe (Judah) 1 Samuel 30:26; 2 Samuel 19:12, so of Gilead Judges 11:5,7,8,9,10,11; after the division of the kingdoms, of Northern Israel זקני הארץ 1 Kings 20:7 compare 1 Kings 20:8, also 2 Kings 6:32 (twice in verse); 2 Kings 10:1 ("" שָׂרִים etc.) compare 2 Kings 10:5; under Josiah זקני יְהוּדָה 2 Kings 23:1 2Chronicles 34:29; see also הארץ ׳ז Jeremiah 26:17, compare זקני ארץ Proverbs 31:23, compare Lamentations 1:19; Lamentations 2:10; Lamentations 4:16; Lamentations 5:12,14 ("" שׂרים; + שַׁעַר); often in Ezek.: Ezekiel 7:26 ("" כהן), of Judah Ezekiel 8:1, of Israel Ezekiel 8:11,12; Ezekiel 14:1; Ezekiel 20:1,3, also Ezekiel 9:6 (but strike out Co). Exilic הַגּוֺלָה ׳ז Jeremiah 29:1 ("" הכהנים, הנביאים); post-exile Ezra 10:8 ("" שׂרים), possibly also Joel 1:14; elders of ׳י Isaiah 24:23 (compare Exodus 24:1,9), זִקְנֵי הַכֹּהֲנִים 2 Kings 19:2 = Isaiah 37:2, so Jeremiah 19:1 ("" זקני העם); of other peoples, Midian Numbers 22:4,7, Moab Numbers 22:7 (all E), Egypt Psalm 105:22 ("" שׂרים); of Gebal Ezekiel 27:9; elders of a city, especially as sitting in the gate to judge Deuteronomy 19:12; Deuteronomy 21:2 (+ שֹׁפְטֶיךָ) Deuteronomy 21:3; Deuteronomy 21:4; Deuteronomy 21:6; Deuteronomy 21:19 (+ שַׁעַרמְֿקֹמוֺ), Deuteronomy 21:20; Deuteronomy 22:15 (+ הַשָּׁ֑עְרָה), Deuteronomy 22:16; Deuteronomy 22:17; Deuteronomy 22:18; Deuteronomy 25:7 (+ הַשַּׁ֫עֲרָה), Deuteronomy 25:8; Deuteronomy 25:9 (all in Deuteronomic code, and only so therein), Ruth 4:2,4,9,11 (compare שַׁעַר Ruth 4:1; Ruth 4:11), מוֺשַׁב זְקֵנִים Psalm 107:32 ("" קְהַלעָֿ֑ם); Judges 8:14 ("" שׂרים), Judges 8:16; 1 Samuel 11:3; 1 Samuel 16:4; 1 Kings 21:8,11; Ezra 10:14.

Overview

זָקֵן (zaqen) appears roughly one‐hundred-seventy-nine times in the Hebrew Scriptures, functioning both as an adjective describing advanced age and as a noun signifying a recognized office of community leadership. Scripture presents old age not merely as chronology but as a God-given season for wisdom, counsel, and covenant service.

Old Age as a Stage of Life

• Patriarchs: “By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way” (Genesis 24:1). Sarah (Genesis 18:11), Isaac (Genesis 27:1), Jacob (Genesis 48:10), and Joseph (Genesis 50:22-23) share the description, grounding the history of redemption in venerable lives.
• National Leaders: “Joshua was old, advanced in years. So the LORD said to him, ‘You are old, advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed’” (Joshua 13:1). Age does not excuse from mission; it reframes it.
• Individual Portraits: Barzillai (2 Samuel 19:31-35) and Caleb (Joshua 14:10-11) illustrate vigor and faithfulness in later years. Job 12:12 underscores expectation of insight: “Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.”

Zaqen as a Title of Leadership

Beginning in Exodus, “elders of Israel” emerges as a fixed designation. Moses is told, “Go, assemble the elders of Israel…” (Exodus 3:16). Seventy are endued with the Spirit to help bear the burden of governance (Numbers 11:16-25). The title soon encompasses:
• National elders (Exodus 24:9-11; Deuteronomy 27:1)
• Tribal elders (Joshua 22:13-14)
• City elders who sit in the gate (Deuteronomy 21:19; Ruth 4:1-11)
• Elders of priestly and prophetic assemblies (Ezekiel 8:1; 20:1-3)

Judicial and Civic Function

The Torah instructs elders to investigate homicide (Deuteronomy 19:12), oversee family discipline (Deuteronomy 21:18-21), arbitrate marital disputes (Deuteronomy 22:15-18), and administer levirate responsibilities (Deuteronomy 25:7-9). Their forum is the gate—public, accountable, and rooted in covenant law.

Covenant and Worship Contexts

Elders slaughter the communal sin offering (Leviticus 4:15) and supervise Passover preparation (Exodus 12:21). At Sinai they approach the divine presence, prefiguring the union of governance and worship later seen in Davidic and Solomonic liturgies (1 Chronicles 15:25; 2 Chronicles 5:2-12).

Engagement during the Monarchy

The elders negotiate Saul’s accession (1 Samuel 8:4-6), confirm David (2 Samuel 5:3), and counsel kings (1 Kings 20:7). Their fidelity varies: they conspire against Naboth (1 Kings 21:8-11) yet accompany Josiah’s reform (2 Kings 23:1). Prophets address them as covenant representatives (Isaiah 3:14; Joel 1:2).

Wisdom Literature Perspective

Proverbs 16:31 speaks of gray hair as a “crown of glory.” Job 32 cautions that true wisdom is Spirit-given, not automatic with age. Ecclesiastes 12 poetically details bodily decline, urging remembrance of the Creator before strength fades.

Promise and Comfort to the Aged

Psalm 92:14 assures, “In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain.” Isaiah 46:4 echoes divine commitment: “Even to your old age I will remain the same, and even to your gray hairs I will carry you.” The aged saint remains an instrument of testimony (Psalm 71:17-18).

Foreshadowing New Covenant Eldership

The Greek presbyteros corresponds directly, sustaining the pattern of spiritually mature overseers (Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-4). While zaqen highlights chronological seniority, the New Testament focuses on character qualification, yet both uphold leadership by proven, godly men.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Respect and Honor: Leviticus 19:32 commands physical and moral deference.
2. Succession: Older believers mentor the next generation, as Moses with Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:9).
3. Congregational Health: A balanced body values seasoned guidance alongside youthful vigor (Proverbs 20:29).
4. Pastoral Care: Encourage the aged to serve through prayer, counsel, and witness; protect them from marginalization.

Representative References

Genesis 18:11; 24:1

Exodus 3:16; 12:21; 24:9-11

Leviticus 4:15; 19:32

Numbers 11:16-25

Deuteronomy 19:12; 21:19; 31:9

Joshua 14:10-11

Ruth 4:1-11

1 Samuel 8:4-6

2 Samuel 5:3

1 Kings 21:8-11

2 Kings 23:1

Job 12:12; 32:7-9

Proverbs 16:31

Isaiah 46:4

Joel 1:2

Ezekiel 20:1-3

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