small
qa.tan describes what is lesser in size, age, rank, or scope, including younger family members and smaller objects.
The adjective most often marks a younger or lesser family member, especially in contrasts with an older sibling; it also describes reduced physical dimensions and, in broader comparisons, those of lower rank or the lesser side of an all-inclusive pair.
Senses in use
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Younger member in a family relationship · dominant
In Genesis 27:15 and Genesis 27:42, the masculine singular form identifies Jacob in contrast with Esau as the younger son. Feminine singular forms similarly distinguish Rachel from Leah in Genesis 29:16 and Genesis 29:18, while 1 Samuel 16:11 and 1 Samuel 17:14 identify the remaining or youngest son in relation to older brothers.
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Smaller in physical size or measure · common
The feminine singular form modifies a bun in 1 Kings 17:13 and a cloud in 1 Kings 18:44; the APB renders these clauses with “small bun” and “small cloud.” In Deuteronomy 25:13 and Deuteronomy 25:14 it contrasts a lesser weight or measure with a large one, and plural forms describe small living things in Psalm 104:25 and Song of Songs 2:15.
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Lesser in rank, extent, or inclusive contrast · common
In 1 Samuel 9:21, the construct plural occurs in Saul's description of his tribe and family as the least or little among Israel's families. The term also marks the lower end of paired groups—“great and small” in 2 Chronicles 31:15 and Jeremiah 16:6, and “least” in Jeremiah 31:34 and Jonah 3:5—rather than a physical measurement.
In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB variously uses “younger,” “young,” “small,” “little,” “least,” and “lower,” according to the surrounding comparison. Because the APB translates whole verses rather than aligning each Hebrew token, these renderings show the clauses' presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.