Meaning

• To be firm
• Establish
• Prepare
• Set

Verb. Occurs about 200 times in the Old Testament.

To be firm, stable, fixed, established.

Describes something that stands securely or endures.

For example, “Your throne is established (נָכוֹן) from of old” — Psalm 93:2plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPsalm 93:2

Hebrew נָכ֣וֹן כִּסְאֲךָ֣ מֵאָ֑ז מֵֽעוֹלָ֣ם אָֽתָּה ESV Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. NIV Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. NLT Your throne, O LORD, has stood from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past. ἕτοιμοςὁθρόνοςσουἀπὸτότεἀπὸτοῦαἰῶνοςσὺεἶ

To be established, be fixed, be prepared.

Often refers to plans or purposes that are set.

For example, “The LORD’s throne is established (נָכוֹן) in the heavens.” — Psalm 103:19plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPsalm 103:19

Hebrew יְֽהוָ֗ה בַּ֭שָּׁמַיִם הֵכִ֣ין כִּסְא֑וֹ וּ֝מַלְכוּת֗וֹ בַּכֹּ֥ל מָשָֽׁלָה ESV The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. NIV The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. NLT The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. κύριοςἐντῷοὐρανῷἡτοίμασεντὸνθρόνοναὐτοῦκαὶἡβασιλείααὐτοῦπάντων…

To establish, set up, prepare, make firm.

This is the most common form and often means to make something stable or ready.

For example, “The LORD establishes (הֵכִין) his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigProverbs 16:9

Hebrew לֵ֣ב אָ֭דָם יְחַשֵּׁ֣ב דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה יָכִ֥ין צַעֲדֽוֹ ESV The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. NIV In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. NLT We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. πάντατὰἔργατοῦκυρίουμετὰδικαιοσύνηςφυλάσσεταιδὲὁἀσεβὴςεἰςἡμέρανκακήν

The verb כּוּן often refers to God’s action in establishing creation, kingship, and moral order. It expresses the idea that what God does is permanent, reliable, and purposeful.

Examples:

• Creation: “He established (כּוֹנֵן) the world, it shall not be moved.” — Psalm 96:10plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPsalm 96:10
  
  Hebrew אִמְר֤וּ בַגּוֹיִ֨ם יְה֘וָ֤ה מָלָ֗ךְ אַף תִּכּ֣וֹן תֵּ֭בֵל בַּל תִּמּ֑וֹט יָדִ֥ין עַ֝מִּ֗ים בְּמֵישָׁרִֽים ESV Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” NIV Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. ἐντοῖςἔθνεσινὁκύριοςἐβασίλευσενκαὶγὰρτὴνοἰκουμένηνἥτιςοὐσαλευθήσεταικρινεῖλαοὺςἐνεὐθύτητι…
• Covenant and throne: “Your kingdom shall be established (נָכוֹן) forever before you.” — 2 Samuel 7:16plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_big2 Samuel 7:16
  
  Hebrew וְנֶאְמַ֨ן בֵּיתְךָ֧ וּמַֽמְלַכְתְּךָ֛ עַד עוֹלָ֖ם לְפָנֶ֑יךָ כִּֽסְאֲךָ֔ יִהְיֶ֥ה נָכ֖וֹן עַד עוֹלָֽם ESV And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'“ NIV Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.' καὶπιστωθήσεταιὁοἶκοςαὐτοῦκαὶἡβασιλείααὐτοῦἕωςαἰῶνοςἐνώπιονἐμοῦκαὶὁθρόνοςαὐτοῦἔσταιἀνωρθωμένοςεἰςτὸναἰῶνα…
• Moral order and plans: “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established (יִכּוֹנוּ).” — </autott>proverbs_16:3|Proverbs 16:3</autott>