קִינָה

קִינָה

a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments)

Definition

A קִינָה (qîynâh) is a formal, poetic lament or dirge, typically composed and performed to mourn a death or a national tragedy. It is characterized by a specific meter (the 'qinah meter' of 3+2 beats) and was often accompanied by ritual acts like beating the breast (Jeremiah 31:15) or playing mournful music (2 Chronicles 35:25). While primarily a funeral song (as in David's lament for Saul and Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1:17), the prophets also used this literary form to pronounce God's judgment on Israel, treating the nation as if already dead (e.g., Ezekiel 19:1, 14).

Biblical Usage

The word is used exclusively in poetic and prophetic literature. It appears in historical poetry (2 Samuel 1:17), historical narrative (2 Chronicles 35:25), and prominently in the Major Prophets (Jeremiah, Ezekiel). Its usage follows two main patterns: 1) as a genuine lament for the dead, and 2) as a prophetic literary device to depict coming judgment, where the dirge is sung in advance for a people or city (Jeremiah 9:10, 20; Ezekiel 2:10).

Etymology

Derived from the root קִין (qyn, H6969), meaning 'to chant a dirge, to lament.' This root conveys the act of singing a mournful song. The noun קִינָה specifically denotes the formal product of that act—the lament itself.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it bridges human grief and divine prophecy. The prophets' use of the קִינָה transforms a genre of personal mourning into a powerful vehicle for God's message. It solemnly declares that rebellion against God leads to a death-like state worthy of mourning. Understanding this term reveals the profound pathos in God's judgment, where He commands His people to lament their own spiritual demise (Jeremiah 7:29). In ancient Israel, a קִינָה was a public, ritualized expression of grief, often performed by professional mourners (Jeremiah 9:17). It was a recognized art form with a distinct poetic structure. This differs from modern, private expressions of sorrow, highlighting the communal and ceremonial nature of mourning in biblical times. מִסְפֵּד (mispeḏ, H4553) — a more general term for lamentation or wailing, often the act itself rather than the formal poetic composition. אֵבֶל (ʼêḇel, H60) — mourning, the state or period of grief, rather than the sung lament.

Word Details