כִּנּ֖וֹר
𐤊𐤍𐤅𐤓
kinnôwr
the harp
A stringed musical instrument, typically translated as 'lyre' or 'harp,' played by plucking or strumming. In the biblical context, the kinnôr was commonly used in both secular and cultic music, including royal courts, worship, and celebration. Its form and size are uncertain, but ancient depictions suggest a portable, wooden frame instrument with multiple strings.
Genesis 4:21 · Word #9
Lexicon H3658
| Lemma | כִּנּוֹר |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤊𐤍𐤅𐤓 |
| Transliteration | kinnôwr |
| Strong's | H3658 |
| Definition | A stringed musical instrument, typically translated as 'lyre' or 'harp,' played by plucking or strumming. In the biblical context, the kinnôr was commonly used in both secular and cultic music, including royal courts, worship, and celebration. Its form and size are uncertain, but ancient depictions suggest a portable, wooden frame instrument with multiple strings. |
Morphology HNcmsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | the harp |
SIBI-P1 Translation H3658-07
lyre
| Morphological Notes | Noun, common, masculine singular, absolute state. |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun כִּנּוֹר denotes a specific stringed instrument associated with plucking or twanging, reflecting the proposed root sense of producing sound by strumming. "Lyre" preserves its identity as a portable, framed string instrument without importing later Western harp imagery. |
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