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קֵינִי

𐤒𐤉𐤍𐤉

Qeyni

H7017 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קין to acquire, to forge, to produce (possible meanings of the root קין)

Definition

A member of the people group known as the Qenites, an ethnic group closely associated with early Israelite history, especially in the Negev and southern Canaan; specifically, an individual belonging to the kinship group or clan descended from Qayin (Cain). The term functions both as an ethnonym (naming the group) and as a gentilic (referring to an individual member). In some contexts, used abstractly to refer to this group collectively or their descendants.

Semantic Range

member of the Qenite people, gentilic referring to those descended from Qayin (Cain), term for a distinct clan or people group bordering or allied with the Israelites, sometimes used in genealogical or territorial lists

Root / Etymology

Derived as a patronymic from the personal name קַיִן (Qayin, 'Cain'), which itself may have roots in the verb קנה (qanah, 'to acquire') or qyn ('smith'), though the precise etymology is debated and likely reflects different interpretive traditions. The -ִי (iy) ending forms an adjective or gentilic, indicating descent or association with Qayin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical narratives, the Qenites (קֵינִי) are portrayed as a nomadic or semi-nomadic group living in the regions of the Negev, closely connected with the early Israelites, and occasionally distinguished from the Midianites (cf. Judges 1:16; Numbers 24:21–22). Notable biblical figures such as Hobab, the father-in-law or brother-in-law of Moses (depending on textual tradition), are identified as Qenites. While sometimes grouped with the Midianites (as in Judges), traditions also preserve them as an independent group (Genesis 15:19). The Qenites were historically regarded as skilled metalworkers or smiths (cf. possible etymology and Genesis 4:22). English translations typically render קֵינִי as 'Kenite,' but this does not reflect possible nuances of clan boundaries or their shifting relations with Israelites. In later periods, the etymology became associated by interpreters with Cain, leading to further legendary accretions.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or קִינִי; (1 Chronicles 2:55), patronymic from קַיִן; a Kenite or member of the tribe of Kajin; Kenite.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קין (q-y-n) — to acquire, to forge, to produce

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7016 קִינָה and Kinah

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7017-01 הַ/קֵּינִי֙ haqeyni HTd/Ngmsa the Kenite the Qenite clansman 9
H7017-04 קֵינִי֩ qeyni HNgmsa Kenite Qayin-clansman 2
H7017-03 מִ/קַּ֔יִן miqayin HR/Np from Kain from a Qenite 1
H7017-02 הַ/קִּינִ֣ים haqinim HTd/Ngmpa the Kenites the Qayin-clansmen 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7017-01 Genesis 15:19 הַ/קֵּינִי֙ haqeyni HTd/Ngmsa Kenites the Qenite clansman
H7017-01 Numbers 24:21 הַ/קֵּינִ֔י haqeyni HTd/Ngmsa Kenite the Qenite clansman
H7017-04 Judges 1:16 קֵינִי֩ qeyni HNgmsa the Kenite Qayin-clansman
H7017-01 Judges 4:11 הַ/קֵּינִי֙ haqeyni HTd/Ngmsa the Kenite the Qenite clansman
H7017-03 Judges 4:11 מִ/קַּ֔יִן miqayin HR/Np from Kain from a Qenite
H7017-01 Judges 4:17 הַ/קֵּינִ֑י haqeyni HTd/Ngmsa the Kenite the Qenite clansman
H7017-01 Judges 4:17 הַ/קֵּינִֽי haqeyni-2 HTd/Ngmsa the Kenite the Qenite clansman
H7017-01 Judges 5:24 הַ/קֵּינִ֑י haqeyni HTd/Ngmsa the Kenite the Qenite clansman
H7017-01 1 Samuel 15:6 הַ/קֵּינִ֡י haqeyni HTd/Ngmsa the Kenite the Qenite clansman
H7017-04 1 Samuel 15:6 קֵינִ֖י qeyni HNgmsa Kenite Qayin-clansman
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