מַנְגִּינָה
𐤌𐤍𐤂𐤉𐤍𐤄
mangîynâh
H4485 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A musical tune or composition, particularly one associated with lament or mockery; most commonly, a song of lamentation or a taunt song performed publicly. The term carries connotations of music used in a context of grief, mourning, or sometimes derision.
Semantic Range
musical lament, dirge, song of mourning, taunt song, tune of mockery, satirical song, melody
Root / Etymology
The word is formed from the root נגן (n-g-n), which primarily means 'to play a stringed instrument.' מַנְגִּינָה (mangîynâh) is a feminine noun derived by the use of the maqtal pattern, indicating either the result of playing (a musical piece) or the act itself. While its ultimate derivation from נגן is clear, the specific sense in usage is narrower than the root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
During the biblical period, מַנְגִּינָה most often referred to a song or tune associated with grief or derision, as in its use in Lamentations and prophetic literature. This usage contrasts with other musical terms such as שִׁיר (song in general) or תְּהִלָּה (praise song). In contexts such as Ezekiel or Lamentations, מַנְגִּינָה connotes music that expresses or amplifies communal sorrow, lament, or, in certain contexts, a taunt or satirical dirge directed at enemies. Later translation traditions sometimes rendered the term as 'satire' or 'taunt,' but its primary meaning remains bound to musical lamentation. English translations often use 'taunt song,' 'lament song,' or 'byword,' the latter of which loses the musical emphasis present in the Hebrew. Over time, the distinction between musical lament and general proverb (e.g., מָשָׁל) became less precise, but מַנְגִּינָה retains specific reference to a tune or musical performance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָגַן; a satire; music.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נגן (n-g-n) — to play (an instrument), to produce music
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H101 | אַגָּן | hammered metal basin |
| H5058 | נְגִינָה | with instrumental melodies |
| H5059 | נָגַן | the string-player |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4485-01 |
מַנְגִּינָתָֽ/ם | maneginatam | HNcfsc/Sp3mp |
their mocking song | their lament-song | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4485-01 |
Lamentations 3:63 | מַנְגִּינָתָֽ/ם | maneginatam | HNcfsc/Sp3mp |
their mocking song | their lament-song |