נִין
𐤍𐤉𐤍
nîyn
H5209 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A descendant, offspring, or progeny — typically of a male line but, in poetic or figurative usage, referring to a successor or continuing line of descent; sometimes used for a future generation or posterity. The term conveys the idea of continuation or survival through future generations, emphasizing the perpetuity or endurance of a family line.
Semantic Range
offspring, descendant, progeny, posterity, future generation
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root נון (nun), meaning 'to continue, to propagate, to sprout.' The base root carries the notion of perpetuation or ongoing growth. נִין (nîyn) is a noun formation indicating a result or product of this continuation — thus, 'offspring' or 'progeny.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, נִין is a rare poetic or archaic term (e.g., found in Job 18:19; Isaiah 14:22; Psalm 109:13) for 'descendant' or 'offspring.' It is distinct from more common terms such as בֵּן (ben, 'son') or זֶרַע (zera‘, 'seed'). Whereas בֵּן emphasizes immediate paternal relation (son), and זֶרַע can broadly refer to seed, descendants, or lineage (sometimes even metaphorically), נִין focuses on the continued survival of a line, often with connotations of extinction or perpetuity, especially in contexts of blessings or curses (as in erasing one's progeny). Unlike the later English term 'son,' נִין does not necessarily signify direct parent-child relationship, but a surviving future member of the lineage — sometimes extending to several generations. The term is almost exclusively used in poetic and wisdom literature, reflecting literary emphasis rather than regular genealogical record.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נוּן; progeny; son.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נון (n-w-n) — to sprout, propagate, continue, increase
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5209-01 |
נִ֤ין | nin | HNcmsa |
offspring | continuing descendant | 1 | |
H5209-02 |
וּ/לְ/נִינִ֖/י | ulenini | HC/R/Ncmsc/Sp1cs |
or with my offspring | and to my progeny | 1 | |
H5209-03 |
וְ/נִ֥ין | venin | HC/Ncmsa |
and-offspring | descendant | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5209-02 |
Genesis 21:23 | וּ/לְ/נִינִ֖/י | ulenini | HC/R/Ncmsc/Sp1cs |
or with my offspring | and to my progeny | |
H5209-03 |
Isaiah 14:22 | וְ/נִ֥ין | venin | HC/Ncmsa |
and-offspring | descendant | |
H5209-01 |
Job 18:19 | נִ֤ין | nin | HNcmsa |
offspring | continuing descendant |