English · KJV
H4517

מְנַעְנַע

mᵉnaʻnaʻ /men-ah-ah'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom נוּעַ
Meaninga sistrum (so called from its rattling sound)
KJV usagecornet.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mᵉnaʻnaʻ — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mᵉnaʻnaʻ, represented by H4517, refers to a cornet or sistrum, an instrument so-called for its rattling sound. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse within the entirety of the Bible, making its single appearance particularly noteworthy.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole use of H4517 is found in a moment of great national celebration. In 2 Samuel 6:5, David H1732 and all the house H1004 of Israel H3478 played H7832 before H6440 the LORD H3068 with a full array of musical instruments. The cornet is listed among instruments made of fir H1265 wood H6086, including harps H3658, psalteries H5035, timbrels H8596, and cymbals H6767, all used to express immense joy.

Related Words & Concepts

The cornet H4517 was part of a larger orchestra of praise, which included several other key instruments:

  • H3658 kinnôwr: This word for harp is frequently associated with praise and worship. It is used to praise the LORD H3068 and sing to Him Psalms 33:2.
  • H8596 tôph: A tambourine or timbrel, this instrument is often linked to celebration, dance, and joyful processions, as when Miriam led the women of Israel Exodus 15:20 or in praise with dance Psalms 149:3.
  • H6767 tsᵉlâtsal: This word refers to a cymbal, an instrument known for its clanging or clattering sound. Cymbals are specifically mentioned as instruments for praising God, including both loud and high-sounding varieties Psalms 150:5.

Theological Significance

The significance of H4517 is tied directly to the monumental event in which it is mentioned. It highlights key themes of worship and celebration.

  • Joyful Expression: The use of the cornet is part of an act where Israel played H7832 before God. The root word for "played" can also mean to make merry or rejoice, underscoring the exuberant and celebratory nature of the worship Jeremiah 30:19.
  • Corporate Worship: The celebration was not a solitary act but involved David H1732 and "all the house of Israel" 2 Samuel 6:5, signifying a unified, national expression of reverence and joy before the LORD H3068.
  • A Full Offering of Praise: The variety of instruments, from strings like the harp H3658 to percussion like timbrels H8596, cymbals H6767, and the rattling cornet H4517, illustrates a lavish and wholehearted offering of praise.

Summary

In summary, while H4517 is a word of extreme rarity, its singular context is deeply significant. As a cornet or sistrum, it was part of a dynamic and joyous orchestra assembled by David and all of Israel to celebrate before the LORD. Its inclusion paints a vivid picture of worship in the Old Testament as a vibrant, loud, and communal expression of devotion to God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מְנַעַנְעִים

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H1732 דָּוִד rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David. H1004 בַּיִת probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, d H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵל from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel H7832 שָׂחַק a primitive root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play; deride, have in derision, laugh, make m H6440 פָּנִים plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a gre H3068 יְהֹוָה from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹו

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in 2 Samuel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.