גָּנַן gânan — to hedge about, i.e. (generally) protect
Translated in the KJV as defend.
a primitive root; to hedge about, i.e. (generally) protect.
gânan in each stem
Qal (Pa'al)
Sequential perfect (weqatal) 4Imperfect (yiqtol) 3Infinitive absolute 1
For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.
What the stems mean
A Hebrew verb is its root letters set into a pattern. The pattern — the binyan — is the grammar's way of saying three things at once: whether the action is simple, intensive or causative, and whether its subject is active, passive or reflexive. That is why one Hebrew word can need six English ones. All seven binyanim, explained ›