אֵתָן

אֵיתָן, אֵתָןm. (b. h.; אית; cmp. אִית, עוּת, אִישֹׁון, אֲשַׁן) 1) essence, permanent or normal condition. Nidd.48b חזר לאֵיתָנֹו, obtained again its normal condition. Sot.36b שבה קשתו לא׳ his membrum resumed its normal condition. (Cmp. Ex. 14:27). 2) adj. essential, strong. R. Hash. 11a א׳ לישנא דתקיפי ethan means strong.Pl. אֵיתָנִים. Ib. אֵיתָנֵי עולם the mighty of the world (patriarchs). Gen. R. s. 98 (play on ăthono Gen. 49:11) בנים אֵתָנִיםוכ׳ mighty sons (heroes) are destined to descend from him. 3) pr. n. river Ethan. Succ.18a (Ms. M. נתן); a. e.