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יוֹנָה

𐤉𐤅𐤍𐤄

yôwnâh

H3123 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יונה to be gentle, to moan; bird: dove, pigeon

Definition

Dove or pigeon, often used as a general term for members of the Columbidae family. In literary and poetic contexts, 'yônāh' frequently denotes gentleness, harmlessness, or innocence, and is sometimes used metaphorically. Most commonly, it refers simply to the bird itself, either as an individual animal or as a category (doves or pigeons). It is also the personal name of the prophet Yonah (Jonah).

Semantic Range

dove, pigeon, the bird as a sacrificial offering, an emblem of innocence or gentleness, a personal name (Yonah/Jonah)

Root / Etymology

Root consonants: יונה. The etymology is uncertain. Some suggest a connection with the root יין (wine), relating to warmth or tender affection, but there is no strong linguistic evidence for this derivation. Most likely a primary noun referring directly to the bird species, with no secure etymological link to other roots.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, יונה (yônāh) most often refers to the dove as a literal bird, notable in stories such as the dove Noah releases during the flood narrative (Genesis 8) and as an acceptable sacrificial animal in the priestly regulations (Leviticus). The term is also used symbolically in poetic literature (e.g., Song of Songs) to convey qualities such as gentleness or beauty. Additionally, 'Yônāh' is the name of the prophetic figure sent to Nineveh. In early Israelite contexts, the bird was associated with ritual purity and accessible sacrifice, while in later periods it retained symbolic resonance. Standard English translations ("dove" or occasionally "pigeon") generally cover the primary semantic range, though some nuances in poetic and metaphoric uses may be muted in translation. Distinct from terms like תּֽוֹר (tôr), which refers to turtledoves, יוֹנָה designates pigeons or doves more broadly.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from the same as יַיִן; a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating); dove, pigeon.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יונה (y-w-n-h) — gentleness, moaning; dove, pigeon

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3238 יָנָה the dove

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3123-09 יוֹנָ֖ה yonah HNcfsa pigeons dove 9
H3123-01 הַ/יּוֹנָ֖ה hayonah HTd/Ncfsa the dove the dove 7
H3123-11 יוֹנָתִ֞/י yonati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my dove my dove 3
H3123-12 יוֹנִ֔ים yonim HNcfpa are doves doves 3
H3123-02 כַּ/יּוֹנָ֑ה kayonah HRd/Ncfsa like a dove like a dove 2
H3123-08 וְ/כַ/יּוֹנִ֖ים vekhayonim HC/Rd/Ncfpa and like doves and like doves 2
H3123-06 כְ/יוֹנָ֔ה kheyonah HR/Ncfsa like a dove like a dove 1
H3123-13 יונים yvnym HNcfpa of doves doves 1
H3123-05 כְּ/יוֹנִ֖ים keyonim HR/Ncfpa like doves like doves 1
H3123-10 י֬וֹנַת yonat HNcfsc dove dove of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

33 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3123-01 Genesis 8:8 הַ/יּוֹנָ֖ה hayonah HTd/Ncfsa dove the dove
H3123-01 Genesis 8:9 הַ/יּוֹנָ֨ה hayonah HTd/Ncfsa the dove the dove
H3123-01 Genesis 8:10 הַ/יּוֹנָ֖ה hayonah HTd/Ncfsa the dove the dove
H3123-01 Genesis 8:11 הַ/יּוֹנָה֙ hayonah HTd/Ncfsa the dove the dove
H3123-01 Genesis 8:12 הַ/יּוֹנָ֔ה hayonah HTd/Ncfsa the dove the dove
H3123-01 Leviticus 1:14 הַ/יּוֹנָ֖ה hayonah HTd/Ncfsa the dove the dove
H3123-09 Leviticus 5:7 יוֹנָ֖ה yonah HNcfsa pigeons dove
H3123-09 Leviticus 5:11 יוֹנָה֒ yonah HNcfsa pigeons dove
H3123-09 Leviticus 12:6 יוֹנָ֥ה yonah HNcfsa a-dove dove
H3123-09 Leviticus 12:8 יוֹנָ֔ה yonah HNcfsa pigeon dove
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