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קֵן

𐤒𐤍

qên

H7064 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Nest; a structure constructed by birds (and occasionally other animals) for sheltering eggs or offspring. By extension, it can refer metaphorically to a dwelling-place or protected enclosure, often with an emphasis on security and settled habitation. In some contexts, also used figuratively of homes or abodes for people, suggesting a place of safety, stability, or origin.

Semantic Range

bird's nest, nestlings (young in nest), figurative dwelling or home, place of rest, protected enclosure, intimate domestic space

Root / Etymology

From the root קנן (q-n-n), meaning 'to build, establish a nest, settle.' The primary sense of קֵן derives from this root idea of constructing a settled or sheltered place. While the verbal root is infrequent in the Hebrew Bible, the noun is well-attested in descriptions of birds and their young, and secondarily as a metaphor for domestic or personal dwellings.

Historical & Contextual Notes

קֵן appears prominently in legal (Deut 22:6) and poetic passages (Psalms, Isaiah). In most cases, it refers directly to bird nests, often emphasizing the presence of eggs or chicks as part of Israelite legal protections toward animals. It can also be used metaphorically for human habitations or familial environments, implying warmth, safety, or belonging (e.g., Job 29:18, where Job uses the nest as an image of security and longevity). This metaphorical extension appears in later biblical Hebrew literature and in post-biblical sources. English translations, particularly 'nest,' usually capture the literal meaning but may underplay the word's broader figurative associations with home or refuge. The use of קֵן does not overlap with terms for grand residences or temples (e.g., בַּיִת bayit for 'house,' הֵיכָל heikal for 'palace/temple'), but suggests a more intimate, protective environment. Despite some translations in later periods using "chamber" or "room," its primary use remains linked to animal shelters and metaphorical safe spaces. The image is sometimes applied collectively: a flock's or group's nesting sites, not just individual nests.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

contracted from קָנַן; a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the nestlings; figuratively, a chamber or dwelling; nest, room.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

קנן (qên) — to build, to nest, to settle

Root קנן to build, to nest, to settle
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7077 קָנַן nest-settled

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7064-05 קִנֶּ֔/ךָ qinekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your nest your nest your nest 3
H7064-08 קִנּ֔/וֹ qino HNcmsc/Sp3ms his nest his nest his nest 3
H7064-03 קֵ֣ן qen HNcmsa nest nest a nest 2
H7064-01 כַ/קֵּ֤ן khaqen HRd/Ncmsa like-a-nest nest like a nest 1
H7064-02 קַן qan HNcmsc a nest nest of nest of 1
H7064-04 קִנָּ֑/הּ qinah HNcmsc/Sp3fs its-nest lament-dirge its nest 1
H7064-06 קִנִּ֣/י qini HNcmsc/Sp1cs my nest my nest my nest 1
H7064-07 קִנִּ֖ים qinim HNcmpa rooms nests rooms 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7064-07 Genesis 6:14 קִנִּ֖ים qinim HNcmpa rooms nests rooms
H7064-05 Numbers 24:21 קִנֶּֽ/ךָ qinekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your nest your nest your nest
H7064-02 Deuteronomy 22:6 קַן qan HNcmsc a nest nest of nest of
H7064-08 Deuteronomy 32:11 קִנּ֔/וֹ qino HNcmsc/Sp3ms its nest his nest its nest
H7064-01 Isaiah 10:14 כַ/קֵּ֤ן khaqen HRd/Ncmsa like-a-nest nest like a nest
H7064-03 Isaiah 16:2 קֵ֣ן qen HNcmsa nest nest nest
H7064-05 Jeremiah 49:16 קִנֶּ֔/ךָ qinekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your nest your nest your nest
H7064-05 Obadiah 1:4 קִנֶּ֑/ךָ qinekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your nest your nest your nest
H7064-08 Habakkuk 2:9 קִנּ֔/וֹ qino HNcmsc/Sp3ms his nest his nest his nest
H7064-03 Psalms 84:4 קֵ֥ן qen HNcmsa nest nest a nest
H7064-04 Proverbs 27:8 קִנָּ֑/הּ qinah HNcmsc/Sp3fs its-nest lament-dirge its nest
H7064-06 Job 29:18 קִנִּ֣/י qini HNcmsc/Sp1cs my nest my nest my nest
H7064-08 Job 39:27 קִנּֽ/וֹ qino HNcmsc/Sp3ms his nest his nest his nest
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