אֶשְׁנָב (esh.nav)
esh.nav
lattice
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun eshnav refers specifically to a lattice or grating, most commonly associated with windows. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this was not merely an open hole in a wall but a structured opening covered by a grid of wood or metal bars. This design allowed light and air to enter while providing security and privacy, creating a barrier that could be seen through but not easily passed.
Its usage is sparse, appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible: in Judges 5:28 as part of Jael’s description of Sisera’s mother waiting by the window, and in Proverbs 6:9 where it serves as a metaphor for laziness. The image evokes a sense of anticipation or idle observation from behind a protective screen. Translators typically render it as "window lattice" to preserve this specific architectural detail.
The word highlights how ancient homes balanced openness with protection. Unlike a simple curtain, a lattice implies a fixed structure, suggesting permanence and deliberate design. Its presence in Proverbs underscores the idea that even behind such barriers, one cannot hide from the consequences of idleness or the need for diligence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eshnav describes a lattice or grating, a structured screen that allowed light and air into an ancient home while maintaining privacy and security. It was not merely an open hole in a wall but a deliberate design balancing openness with protection. This architectural detail reminds us that our lives are lived in spaces where we can see out while remaining sheltered from the elements.
In Judges, this lattice becomes the backdrop for anxious waiting, as Sisera’s mother peers through it hoping for news of her son. In Proverbs, it serves as a vantage point for observation, reminding us that idleness often keeps us behind screens rather than engaging with the world. These images invite reflection on how we use our own perspectives and spaces.
Perhaps this word encourages us to consider what we choose to look at and who we wait for. It suggests that even in moments of pause or anticipation, there is value in paying attention to the world around us. May your own windows be places of hope and discernment, where you can observe life with wisdom and grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ widow-lattice1×
- lattice/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָֽ/אֶשְׁנָ֑ב1×
- אֶשְׁנַבִּ֣/י1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 5:28
“Through the window she looked out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’
This verse uses the lattice to depict Sisera’s mother’s anxious anticipation, highlighting how the structure frames a moment of hopeful waiting.
-
Proverbs 7:6
For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.
Here the lattice serves as the poet’s vantage point for observing life, illustrating how such structures can be places of insight rather than just security.