how to say “nest” in Hebrew
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קֵן
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This word is often mispronounced by native English-speaking students of the Hebrew Bible.
When it’s connected to another word in an of relationship (construct-סְמִיכוּת
listen and repeat), it’s קַן listen and repeat, as in קַן צִפּוֹר listen and repeat – the nest of a bird.קִנִּים תַּעֲשֶׂה אֶת הַתֵּבָה
you shall make the ark (an array of) nests
(בְּרֵאשִׁית ו,יד – Genesis 6:14)
The plural form gives away the root, since the נ (n) letter shows a dot of emphasis, indicating that there’s a missing letter. The root is ק.נ.נ (k.n.n).
One of Israel’s most beloved songs, עוּף גּוֹזָל
listen and repeat, features the word קן listen and repeat. Check it out!
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