מְגִנָּה (me.gin.nah)
me.gin.nah
covering
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun meginah refers to a protective shield or covering. In its primary sense, it describes an object used for defense, yet in the single biblical instance found in Lamentations 3:65, the metaphor shifts inward. Here, God is asked to give the people a "covering" of heaviness, which the lexicons interpret as obstinacy or blindness of heart.
This usage presents a striking theological image: divine judgment takes the form of a shield that blocks perception rather than protecting from harm. The word suggests a hardening where the heart becomes impervious to truth, turning a tool of safety into an instrument of isolation. Translators often render this as "hardness" or "blindness," capturing the sense of a spiritual barrier imposed by God in response to rebellion.
The rarity of the term highlights its specific function in Scripture. It does not describe general ignorance but a deliberate, divinely permitted closure of understanding. This singular occurrence underscores the severity of judgment in Lamentations, where the consequence of sin is not merely punishment but a loss of spiritual clarity that mirrors the physical destruction surrounding Jerusalem.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word meginah describes a shield or covering, but in its only biblical appearance, it takes on a sobering meaning. In Lamentations 3:65, the prophet prays that God would give His enemies a "covering" of hardness. This is not a protective shield for safety, but a spiritual barrier that blocks understanding and repentance. It illustrates how persistent rejection of truth can lead to a heart that becomes impervious to correction.
For believers, this passage serves as a serious warning against hardening our own hearts. When we ignore God’s voice or refuse to acknowledge our need for Him, we risk building walls around ourselves that prevent spiritual clarity. The tragedy is not just external punishment, but the internal loss of sensitivity to divine grace.
Yet this word also highlights the importance of remaining soft-hearted toward God. We are invited to keep our hearts open, receptive, and humble. By staying attentive to Scripture and prayer, we avoid the isolation that comes from spiritual blindness. May we always seek the clarity that comes from a heart aligned with God’s truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- shamelessness of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְגִנַּת\־1×
Key Verses
-
Lamentations 3:65
You will give them hardness of heart, your curse to them.
This verse uses meginah to describe a divine act of hardening, where the 'covering' functions as a barrier to repentance rather than protection.