קִינֵן (qun)
qun
to chant
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qunēn means to sing or chant a dirge, specifically a formal lament for the dead. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, always in contexts of public mourning. In 2 Samuel 1:19 and 1 Chronicles 10:14, David’s song over Saul and Jonathan is described using this term, marking it as a structured poetic composition rather than an informal cry of grief.
This word is derived from qinah, the noun for a "lament" or "dirge," which often features a distinctive rhythmic pattern known as the "lament meter." The sources indicate that qunēn is the verbal action of performing this specific type of song. It implies a composed, artistic expression of sorrow, intended to be heard by others, distinguishing it from private weeping.
Its limited usage highlights its special role in biblical culture. By using qunēn for David’s elegy, the text elevates personal loss into a communal, literary act. The word captures the moment when grief is shaped into art, preserving the memory of the deceased through structured song.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When loss strikes, we often feel that our grief is too chaotic or private to be shared. The Hebrew word qunēn offers a different perspective: it describes the act of chanting a formal dirge. This was not just spontaneous crying, but a structured, artistic expression of sorrow intended for the community. By shaping pain into song, the biblical writers show that mourning can be both personal and public, preserving memory through shared ritual.
In 2 Samuel 1:17, David uses this form to lament Saul and Jonathan. He does not hide his grief but elevates it into a poetic composition that others can join. This reminds us that our own sorrows do not need to be isolated experiences. We are invited to bring our brokenness into the light, allowing others to stand with us in structured remembrance.
This practice helps us understand that grief has its own language and rhythm. It is not something to rush through but a process to be honored. When we lament, we acknowledge the value of what was lost while trusting in God’s presence within the pain. Let this word encourage you to find safe spaces where your sorrow can be heard and held by faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he lamented2×
- and/ he made a lament1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יְקוֹנֵ֣ן1×
- וַ/יְקֹנֵ֥ן1×
- וַ/יְקֹנֵ֣ן1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 1:17
David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son
This verse establishes David's formal lament over Saul and Jonathan as a composed poetic piece rather than an informal cry.
-
II Samuel 3:33
The king lamented for Abner, and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?
Here the king uses the act of lamenting to publicly honor Abner, showing how this ritual validates the status of the deceased.
-
II Chronicles 35:25
Jeremiah lamented for Josiah, and all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day; and they made them an ordinance in Israel. Behold, they are written in the lamentations.
This occurrence highlights how Jeremiah's lament became a lasting ordinance for Israel, preserved by singing men and women for generations.