קָנַן
𐤒𐤍𐤍
qânan
H7077 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To make or build a nest; to take up residence or settle in a protective space, specifically describing the action of birds constructing or occupying a nest, or metaphorically, establishing a place of dwelling or security.
Semantic Range
to build a nest (birds), to inhabit or occupy a nest, to settle into a safe or sheltered space, to nestle (poetic or metaphorical use)
Root / Etymology
From the root קנן, derived from or related to קֵן (qen), 'nest.' The verb is denominative, meaning it is formed from the noun for 'nest' and refers specifically to the process or act surrounding the creation or occupation of a nest, rather than the more general idea of building or constructing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb קָנַן occurs infrequently in the Hebrew Bible and is restricted primarily to poetic passages (e.g. Deuteronomy 32:11; Ezekiel 31:6). In biblical usage, it specifically depicts the habitual activity of birds—particularly raptors like eagles—building, arranging, or inhabiting nests for rearing their young or for protection. It is distinct from general verbs for 'building' (such as בנה, banah) in that its scope is limited to this avian activity, though poetic or metaphorical contexts occasionally broaden its reference to other creatures or to humans seeking security. Over time, especially in exegetical and post-biblical traditions, the imagery of קָנַן is sometimes applied figuratively to themes of nurture, care, or divine protection, yet in biblical contexts the literal sense dominates. Later translations, such as the KJV, often render the word as 'make a nest,' but this can obscure the specific nuances related to the root and its bird-nesting imagery. The word should not be confused with similar-sounding roots (e.g., קנה, 'to acquire').
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to erect; but used only as denominative from קֵן; to nestle, i.e. build or occupy as anest; make...nest.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קנן (q-n-n) — to make a nest, to settle, to nestle
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7064 | קֵן | nest |
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7077-03 |
קִנְּנָ֤ה | qinenah | HVpp3fs |
will make her nest | she built a nest | 1 |
H7077-05 |
תְּקַנֵּ֖ן | teqanen | HVpi3fs |
that makes her nest | she builds a nest | 1 |
H7077-02 |
מקננתי | mqnnty | HVPsfsa |
nesting | nestled | 1 |
H7077-06 |
יְקַנֵּ֑נוּ | yeqanenu | HVpi3mp |
make their nests | they will build nests | 1 |
H7077-01 |
מְקֻנַּ֖נְתְּ | mequnanete | HVPsfsa |
you nested | nest-settled | 1 |
H7077-04 |
קִֽנְנוּ֙ | qinenu | HVpp3cp |
made their nests | they nested | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7077-03 |
Isaiah 34:15 | קִנְּנָ֤ה | qinenah | HVpp3fs |
will make her nest | she built a nest |
H7077-02 |
Jeremiah 22:23 | מקננתי | mqnnty | HVPsfsa |
nesting | nestled |
H7077-01 |
Jeremiah 22:23 | מְקֻנַּ֖נְתְּ | mequnanete | HVPsfsa |
you nested | nest-settled |
H7077-05 |
Jeremiah 48:28 | תְּקַנֵּ֖ן | teqanen | HVpi3fs |
that makes her nest | she builds a nest |
H7077-04 |
Ezekiel 31:6 | קִֽנְנוּ֙ | qinenu | HVpp3cp |
made their nests | they nested |
H7077-06 |
Psalms 104:17 | יְקַנֵּ֑נוּ | yeqanenu | HVpi3mp |
make their nests | they will build nests |