כִנִּ֖ים
𐤊𐤍𐤉𐤌
kên
gnats
A small parasitic insect; specifically, a louse (Pediculus humanus or a similar parasitic, biting insect), almost always occurring in the plural and designating the third plague upon Egypt described in Exodus. In broader usage, refers to a minute, pernicious pest; in postbiblical Hebrew extended to refer to gnats or other tiny biting insects. Modern Hebrew and later tradition sometimes identify the term with lice in the biological sense, but in ancient usage, may have included various biting vermin of similar type.
Exodus 8:13 · Word #20
Lexicon H3654
| Lemma | כֵּן |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤊𐤍 |
| Transliteration | kên |
| Strong's | H3654 |
| Definition | A small parasitic insect; specifically, a louse (Pediculus humanus or a similar parasitic, biting insect), almost always occurring in the plural and designating the third plague upon Egypt described in Exodus. In broader usage, refers to a minute, pernicious pest; in postbiblical Hebrew extended to refer to gnats or other tiny biting insects. Modern Hebrew and later tradition sometimes identify the term with lice in the biological sense, but in ancient usage, may have included various biting vermin of similar type. |
Morphology HNcmpa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | p — Plural — Plural |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | gnats |
SIBI-P1 Translation H3654-04
clinging lice
| Morphological Notes | Masculine plural common noun, absolute state. |
| Rendering Rationale | The plural noun denotes small parasitic insects that attach themselves to a host. "Clinging" reflects the root idea of fastening or anchoring, while "lice" captures the established lexical sense in masculine plural form. |
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