קָ֣ו
𐤒𐤅
qav-qav
and
Onomatopoetic or repetitive expression, used as an unintelligible or stammering sound; also, a symbolic term meant to represent disconnected syllables, conveying the impression of meaningless speech. The expression is not standard Hebrew but is used in a figurative sense within prophetic literature to mimic or parody speech that is incomprehensible or perceived as foreign.
Isaiah 18:7 · Word #17
Lexicon H6978
| Lemma | קַו־קַו |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤒𐤅־𐤒𐤅 |
| Transliteration | qav-qav |
| Strong's | H6978 |
| Definition | Onomatopoetic or repetitive expression, used as an unintelligible or stammering sound; also, a symbolic term meant to represent disconnected syllables, conveying the impression of meaningless speech. The expression is not standard Hebrew but is used in a figurative sense within prophetic literature to mimic or parody speech that is incomprehensible or perceived as foreign. |
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 | and |
SIBI-P1 Translation H6978-01
babble-line of
| Morphological Notes | Noun, masculine singular, construct state; reduplicated form used idiomatically as sound imitation. |
| Rendering Rationale | Though derived from the root meaning "to stretch/measure with a line," this reduplicated form functions as onomatopoetic parody speech. "Babble-line" preserves the root imagery of a measuring line while reflecting the figurative sense of repetitive, meaningless utterance; the construct state is reflected by "of." |
View full lexicon entry for H6978 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
babble-line of
| Same as P1 | Yes |
| Rationale | Repeated for poetic effect; P1 is correct for the structure and wordplay being conveyed. |