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יָעֵן

𐤉𐤏𐤍

yâʻên

H3283 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ענה to answer, respond, produce a sound

Definition

A large flightless bird, the ostrich (Struthio camelus), noted in the Hebrew Bible for its wilderness habitat, distinctive call, and emblematic characteristics. The term refers specifically to the ostrich species native to the ancient Near East, not to a generic 'bird' or other large avians. In context, frequently serves as an image of desert desolation, remarkable speed, perceived lack of maternal care, or uncanny endurance.

Semantic Range

ostrich, large desert-dwelling bird of prey, emblem of wilderness, symbol of abandonment or resilience

Root / Etymology

The word יָעֵן (yaʿên) is derived from the same root as יַעַן (yaʿan, H3282), related to the idea of a 'cry' or 'answer,' likely referring to the bird's distinctive call. The root is ענה, meaning 'to answer, to respond,' but in this nominal form, the connection is phonetic and allusive, rather than semantic—i.e., the bird's call sounded to ancient hearers like a reply or a loud, echoing voice. Thus, the root meaning ('to answer') is distinct from the specific referent of the word ('ostrich').

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the ostrich (יָעֵן) appears as a symbol of the wilderness and desolation (Job 30:29; Isaiah 13:21; 34:13), often found in poetic listings of wild animals inhabiting remote places. In Lamentations 4:3, ostriches represent apparent maternal neglect, because the ostrich was believed to bury its eggs in the sand and abandon them. In later periods, advanced zoological knowledge about ostrich behavior altered this perception, but the biblical writers relied on observable and mythologized traits. Standard English translations reliably render יָעֵן as 'ostrich,' though older translations sometimes confused it with 'owl' or 'stork.' The word is never used in a cultic or sacrificial context; it serves primarily as a literary device within wisdom and prophetic literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as יַעַן; the ostrich (probably from its answering cry; ostrich.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ענה (ʿ-n-h) — to answer, respond, produce a sound

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1042 בֵּית עֲנוֹת answering of
H1195 בַּעֲנָא Son of Affliction
H1196 בַּעֲנָה In Affliction
H2057 וַנְיָה Yah Answers
H3284 יַעֲנָה the female ostrich

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3283-02 ענים nym HNcmpa ostriches ostriches 1
H3283-01 כַּ/יְעֵנִ֖ים kayeenim HRd/Ncmpa the ostriches ostriches 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3283-02 Lamentations 4:3 ענים nym HNcmpa ostriches ostriches
H3283-01 Lamentations 4:3 כַּ/יְעֵנִ֖ים kayeenim HRd/Ncmpa the ostriches ostriches
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