a primitive root; to strike a musical note, i.e. chant or wail (at a funeral); lament, mourning woman.
Transliteration:qûwn
Pronunciation:koon
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H6969}}` (qûwn) is a primitive root whose core meaning evokes the act of "striking a musical note." From this foundational sense, its semantic range expands to encompass the specific vocalizations associated with deep sorrow and grief. Primarily, it denotes "to chant" or "to wail," particularly in the context of a funeral or a public lamentation. This suggests a structured, often melodic, expression of sorrow, distinguishing it from mere weeping. The root can also function nominally, referring to the "lament" itself—a dirge or funeral song—or to a "mourning woman," a professional who performs such laments. Thus, `{{H6969}}` captures the essence of a vocalized, often ritualistic, and public expression of profound grief, typically in response to death, disaster, or divine judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H6969}}` and its derivatives appear in several significant biblical passages, consistently pointing to the performance of lamentation. In [[2 Samuel 1:17]], David "lamented" (וַיְקֹנֵן, wayqōnên) with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan, indicating a formal, composed dirge rather than an spontaneous outburst. This highlights the artistic and intentional nature of the act.
In the prophetic books, `{{H6969}}` is frequently invoked to describe the sorrow accompanying divine judgment or national catastrophe. [[Jeremiah 9:17]] (MT 9:16) issues a call to "consider, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for the skillful women, that they may come!" (קִרְאוּ לַמְקוֹנְנוֹת וּתְבוֹאֶינָה). This verse explicitly refers to professional "mourning women" (מְקוֹנְנוֹת, məqônenôt), underscoring the ancient Near Eastern practice of hiring experts to lead public expressions of grief, ensuring the lament was properly performed. The subsequent verses in [[Jeremiah 9:18-20]] (MT 9:17-19) contain the content of such laments, focusing on the desolation of the land and the death of its inhabitants.
Similarly, [[Ezekiel 27:32]] describes a lament (וַיִּקְוֹנְנוּ, wayyiqwōnənû) over the fallen city of Tyre, asking, "Who is like Tyre, like her that is silent in the midst of the sea?" This illustrates the use of `{{H6969}}` for dirges over nations or cities facing destruction. [[2 Chronicles 35:25]] states that Jeremiah "lamented" (קִינָה, qînâ, a noun derived from the root) for Josiah, and that this lament became an enduring tradition among Israel's singing men and women, demonstrating the lasting impact and communal adoption of such dirges. [[Amos 8:10]] prophesies a future where the Lord will "turn your feasts into mourning" (וְהָפַכְתִּי חַגֵּיכֶם לְאֵבֶל וְכָל שִׁירֵיכֶם לְקִינָה), using a noun form (קִינָה, qînâ) to denote a lamentation or dirge, signifying a reversal of joy into profound sorrow.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H6969}}` intersects with several other Hebrew terms related to grief, sorrow, and vocal expression.
* **`{{H57}}` ('ābal):** To mourn, often with outward signs of grief like wearing sackcloth or abstaining from certain activities. While 'ābal is a broader term for mourning, qûwn specifies the vocal, often musical, aspect of that mourning.
* **`{{H1058}}` (bāḵāh):** To weep, cry, shed tears. This is a more general term for expressing sorrow through tears, whereas qûwn implies a structured vocal performance. One might *bāḵāh* while also *qûwn*-ing.
* **`{{H5058}}` (nāgan):** To play a stringed instrument, to strike a note. This term highlights the musical dimension inherent in the primitive root of `{{H6969}}`, reinforcing the idea of a chanted or sung lament.
* **`{{H7891}}` (šîr):** To sing. While šîr is a general term for singing, qûwn specifies singing in the context of lamentation. A qînâ (lament) is a type of šîr (song).
Concepts closely tied to `{{H6969}}` include:
* **Dirge/Elegy:** A song or poem expressing sorrow, especially for the dead. The noun form qînâ directly refers to this.
* **Funeral Rites:** The rituals and ceremonies associated with burial and mourning, in which laments played a significant role.
* **Professional Mourners:** Individuals, often women, skilled in composing and performing laments for hire, as seen in [[Jeremiah 9]].
### Theological Significance
The practice of lament, as embodied by `{{H6969}}`, holds profound theological significance in the biblical tradition.
1. **Legitimization of Grief:** The Bible does not shy away from human sorrow. The presence and even command for lamentation affirm that expressing deep grief, pain, and despair is a legitimate and necessary human response to loss, sin, and judgment. It provides a divine permission for raw, unvarnished emotion.
2. **Engagement with God in Suffering:** Laments are often addressed to God, even when expressing complaint or confusion. They represent a form of honest prayer, bringing human suffering directly into the divine presence. This demonstrates a theology where God is not distant from human pain but is receptive to cries of anguish.
3. **Recognition of Brokenness:** The occasions for lament—death, national disaster, exile, sin—underscore the brokenness of the world and the consequences of sin. Laments acknowledge the reality of suffering and the disruption of shalom.
4. **Communal Expression:** The involvement of professional mourners and the communal nature of lamentation highlight that grief is not merely an individual experience but a shared, public act. It fosters solidarity in sorrow and provides a structured outlet for collective mourning.
5. **Hope within Despair:** While focused on sorrow, many biblical laments (e.g., in the Psalms or the Book of Lamentations itself) often pivot from complaint to a renewed trust in God's character, even in the midst of despair. The act of lament can be a pathway to hope and future deliverance, acknowledging present pain while still looking to divine intervention.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H6969}}` (qûwn) describes a specific, often musical and public, form of lamentation or wailing. Stemming from the idea of "striking a musical note," it denotes the chanting of dirges, particularly in contexts of death, national catastrophe, or divine judgment. Its usage in the Bible highlights both the personal and communal dimensions of grief, often involving professional "mourning women" who led these solemn expressions. Theologically, `{{H6969}}` underscores the biblical affirmation of expressing deep sorrow before God, acknowledging the brokenness of the world, and engaging with divine presence even in the midst of profound suffering. It serves as a powerful reminder of the human capacity for grief and the divine permission for its honest articulation.
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