from רָנַן; an ostrich (from its wail); [idiom] goodly.
Transliteration:renen
Pronunciation:reh'-nen
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma רֶנֶן (transliterated renen, `{{H7443}}`) is primarily understood to denote the "ostrich." This meaning is etymologically derived from the root רָנַן (ranan, `{{H7442}}`), which signifies "to shriek," "to give a ringing cry," or "to wail." The connection to the ostrich is thus understood to stem from the distinctive, often mournful or loud, cry attributed to this bird.
A secondary, idiomatic meaning of "goodly" is also noted in some lexicons, potentially linking to the broader semantic range of the root ranan (`{{H7442}}`) which can also mean "to shout for joy" or "to sing," implying something praiseworthy or excellent. However, it is crucial to note that this "goodly" sense is not directly attested for the lemma renen (`{{H7443}}`) in the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible. The primary and virtually exclusive biblical attestation of renen (`{{H7443}}`) refers to the ostrich, grounding its core meaning firmly in zoological identification derived from its vocalizations.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word רֶנֶן (renen, `{{H7443}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Job, where it is used in its plural form רְנָנִים (renanim).
In [[Job 39:13]], the text reads: "The wings of the ostrich (רְנָנִים) wave proudly, but are they the pinions and plumage of love?"
Here, renanim unequivocally refers to ostriches. The immediate context of [[Job 39:13-18]] describes the ostrich as a creature of unique characteristics within God's creation. The passage highlights its impressive, "proud" wings, yet contrasts this with its perceived lack of wisdom and parental care (leaving its eggs on the ground, being harsh with its young, and lacking understanding). This portrayal is part of God's extensive discourse to Job, where the divine speaker demonstrates His incomprehensible wisdom and sovereignty over all creation, including creatures that might appear paradoxical or "unwise" from a human perspective. The specific connection to the ostrich's "wail" (as suggested by the root ranan) is not explicitly stated in this verse, but the bird's peculiar nature and behavior are central to its depiction as a testament to God's mysterious design.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is the verbal root רָנַן (ranan, `{{H7442}}`), from which renen (`{{H7443}}`) is derived. This root carries a broad semantic range, encompassing:
* "To shriek," "to wail," "to lament": This aspect directly informs the naming of the ostrich due to its distinctive cries, which can be perceived as mournful.
* "To give a ringing cry," "to shout for joy," "to sing": This positive aspect of the root is often used in contexts of praise, worship, and exultation (e.g., [[Psalm 33:1]], [[Psalm 35:27]], [[Psalm 95:1]]). While not directly applied to renen (`{{H7443}}`) in its biblical usage, this broader meaning of the root ranan (`{{H7442}}`) might be the conceptual origin for the "goodly" interpretation noted in some lexicons, suggesting something worthy of praise or joy.
Another Hebrew word commonly translated as "ostrich" is יַעֲנָה (ya'anah, `{{H3283}}`), which appears more frequently in the Bible (e.g., [[Leviticus 11:16]], [[Deuteronomy 14:15]], [[Isaiah 13:21]], [[Micah 1:8]]). While both renen (`{{H7443}}`) and ya'anah (`{{H3283}}`) refer to the ostrich, the use of renen (`{{H7443}}`) in [[Job 39:13]] is unique, possibly emphasizing the bird's vocal characteristics or serving as a poetic variant. The ya'anah (`{{H3283}}`) is often associated with desolate places and mournful sounds, echoing the "wail" aspect attributed to renen (`{{H7443}}`).
### Theological Significance
The singular biblical occurrence of renen (`{{H7443}}`) in [[Job 39:13]] places the ostrich firmly within the theological framework of divine wisdom and sovereignty. In God's response to Job, the ostrich serves as an example of creation's complexity and God's masterful design, which often defies human understanding or judgment. The description highlights characteristics that might seem paradoxical or even flawed from a human perspective (proud wings but lack of parental care, strength but lack of wisdom), yet these very traits underscore the Creator's absolute authority and unique purposes.
The ostrich, like Behemoth and Leviathan in subsequent verses, stands as a testament to a world ordered by God's wisdom, not human wisdom. It challenges Job's anthropocentric view of justice and order, compelling him to acknowledge the vastness of divine knowledge and power. Thus, renen (`{{H7443}}`) contributes to the overarching theological message of Job: that God's ways are inscrutable, His creation is diverse and purposeful, and true wisdom lies in humble submission to His omnipotence. The bird's "wail," though not explicitly mentioned in [[Job 39]], subtly connects to the broader theme of suffering and lament that pervades the book, even as God's discourse moves beyond human sorrow to the grandeur of His cosmic design.
### Summary
The Hebrew word רֶנֶן (renen, `{{H7443}}`) is a rare biblical term, appearing only once in the plural form renanim in [[Job 39:13]]. Its primary and biblically attested meaning is "ostrich," a designation derived from the root רָנַן (ranan, `{{H7442}}`), which refers to the bird's distinctive, often wailing cry. While some lexicons suggest an idiomatic meaning of "goodly," this sense is not directly supported by the biblical text itself for this specific lemma. In its sole biblical appearance, renen (`{{H7443}}`) contributes to God's majestic discourse in Job, serving as an example of divine wisdom in creation. The ostrich's unique characteristics, as described, underscore God's unfathomable power and His providential ordering of a world that often transcends human comprehension.
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