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יַעֲנָה

𐤉𐤏𐤍𐤄

yaʻănâh

H3284 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Female ostrich, large flightless bird known for speed and distinctive appearance; term also used in poetic or metaphorical contexts to indicate wildness, desert-dwelling, or mournful lamentation. Never refers to an owl in primary Hebrew usage, though later translations sometimes render it as such. The primary sense is a specific zoological reference to the ostrich, with secondary figurative uses relating to desolation or abandonment.

Semantic Range

female ostrich, ostrich (generic), symbol of wilderness, symbol of abandonment or lamentation, (mistranslated as 'owl' or 'night bird' in some versions)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ענה ('to answer'), likely referencing the bird's distinctive call. יַעֲנָה is the feminine form of יָעֵן (male ostrich; H3283). The word applies specifically to the female of the species.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, יַעֲנָה appears six times, often listed among unclean animals (e.g., Lev 11:16; Deut 14:15) and in poetic passages describing desolate wilderness (e.g., Job 30:29; Isa 13:21, 34:13). The use of yaʻănâh as 'ostrich' is well supported by comparative Semitics (cf. Arabic: 'naʕāmah'). Association with the 'owl' arises from Septuagint and later translations attempting to match to known creatures in their context, leading to confusion; the true referent in Hebrew is the ostrich, not an owl. In biblical poetry, the bird symbolizes loneliness, wildness, and barrenness of the landscape. English translations sometimes obscure the zoological specificity by rendering it 'owl' or 'night bird,' but ancient Near Eastern context supports ostrich as the consistent referent. It is distinct from other bird terms such as רָאָה (vulture) or קָאָת (pelican/large wader) in zoological and symbolic import.

Translation Consistency

primary "ostrich" 8 occurrences

The primary, literal sense in SILEX is the bird—the female ostrich—so the natural, consistent English base is ‘ostrich’. This covers both specific female reference and generic/figurative uses (wilderness, desolation) better than the adjective ‘female’ or the plural form; number and any qualifying sense can be handled by inflection or context.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of יָעֵן, and meaning the same; {the ostrich (probably from its answering cry}; [phrase] owl.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

ענה (Baana) — to afflict, humble, oppress

Root ענה to answer, respond, utter a call
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1195 בַּעֲנָא Son of Affliction
H1196 בַּעֲנָה In Affliction
H2057 וַנְיָה Yah Answers
H3283 יָעֵן ostriches
H3285 יַעֲנַי and Yaanai

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H3284-02 יַֽעֲנָ֔ה yaanah HNcfsa ostrich female ostrich female ostrich 6
H3284-01 הַֽ/יַּעֲנָ֔ה hayaanah HTd/Ncfsa of the ostrich the female ostrich the female ostrich 2

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H3284-01 Leviticus 11:16 הַֽ/יַּעֲנָ֔ה hayaanah HTd/Ncfsa the ostrich the female ostrich the female ostrich
H3284-01 Deuteronomy 14:15 הַֽ/יַּעֲנָ֔ה hayaanah HTd/Ncfsa of the ostrich the female ostrich the female ostrich
H3284-02 Isaiah 13:21 יַֽעֲנָ֔ה yaanah HNcfsa ostrich female ostrich female ostrich
H3284-02 Isaiah 34:13 יַעֲנָֽה yaanah HNcfsa ostrich female ostrich female ostrich
H3284-02 Isaiah 43:20 יַֽעֲנָ֑ה yaanah HNcfsa ostrich female ostrich female ostrich
H3284-02 Jeremiah 50:39 יַֽעֲנָ֑ה yaanah HNcfsa ostriches female ostrich female ostrich
H3284-02 Micah 1:8 יַעֲנָֽה yaanah HNcfsa owls female ostrich female ostrich
H3284-02 Job 30:29 יַעֲנָֽה yaanah HNcfsa ostriches female ostrich female ostrich
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