Lexical Summary ken: Thus, so, rightly, therefore, surely, indeed Original Word: כֵּן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lice, manner From kanan in the sense of fastening; a gnat (from infixing its sting; used only in plural (and irreg. In Exod. 8:17, Exod. 8:18; Heb. 13:14)) -- lice, X manner. see HEBREW kanan see HEBREW 'ebuwc NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition gnat, gnats, a gnat swarm NASB Translation gnats (6), manner (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs IV. כֵּן (?), כִּנִּם, כִּנָּם noun [masculine], meaning dubious; either gnat, gnats, gnat-swarm (so ᵐ5 ᵑ9 <TOPIC:Philo Judaeus> PhiloVita Mos. i, p. 97, <TOPIC:Origen>OrigenHom. 4, 6 in Ex., and most moderns), or [louse,] lice (so ᵑ6 ᵑ7 JosAnt. ii. 14. 13 BochHieroz. II, ii, 572 f., as Late Hebrew כִּנָּה, plural כִּנִּים = maggots, and especially lice) — absolute perhaps כֵּן Isaiah 51:6 (see below); plural כִּנִּים Exodus 8:13; Exodus 8:14; Psalm 105:31, כִּנִּם Exodus 8:12; Exodus 8:13; Exodus 8:14 has, also, כִּנָּם probably a mere Masoretic device for כִּנִּם (compare Di), on account of preceding וַתְּהִי (on which see Ges§ 145. 4 DaSynt. § 116); ⅏ has כנים throughout: — of Egyptian plague Exodus 8:12; Exodus 8:13 (twice in verse); Exodus 8:14 (twice in verse) (all P), hence Psalm 105:31; כְּמוֺכֵֿן יְמוּתוּן Isaiah 51:6 like a gnatswarm (?) shall they die (compare Di Du; Weir Che read כנים, compare Buhlp. 355; > Brd De like this). Note. — NöM 54 BaNB § 15, ES 53 BuhlGes HWB ed. 12 connect this word etymologically with Aramaic כלמתא vermin, Ba and Buhl also with Assyrian kalmatu, id. [DlHWB 333], and even with Aramaic קלמתא, Topical Lexicon Occurrences in Scriptureכֵּן appears six times, all in connection with the third Egyptian plague and its later poetic recollection: Exodus 8:16-18 (twice in verse 17, twice in verse 18) and Psalm 105:31. In every case the word designates the minute, winged insects that suddenly infested men and beasts when the dust of Egypt was struck. Historical Setting: The Third Plague of Egypt After the waters turned to blood and the plague of frogs, Pharaoh was warned of a fresh judgment if he continued to harden his heart. At the Lord’s command Aaron “stretched out his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and it became gnats throughout all the land of Egypt” (Exodus 8:17). Unlike the first two plagues, this judgment was unleashed without prior warning to Pharaoh, underscoring the escalating seriousness of his defiance. Egyptian magicians attempted to reproduce the sign, but “they could not” (Exodus 8:18), compelling them to admit, “This is the finger of God” (verse 19). The sudden multiplication of creatures formed from ordinary dust displayed the Creator’s power to transform the very elements of the earth at will. Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty over Creation Dust, the symbol of man’s lowliness (Genesis 3:19), becomes an instrument of judgment. The event proclaims that even what seems inert and harmless can become a weapon in God’s hand. 2. Exposure of Idolatry Egyptian religion venerated numerous nature-deities. By turning common soil into stinging pests, the Lord emptied their sacred land of perceived security, showing that no local god could shield them. 3. Progressive Hardening and Mercy Each plague intensified Egypt’s discomfort yet left room for repentance. Gnats, while painful, were non-fatal; they served as a merciful call to surrender before more devastating judgments arrived. Liturgical and Poetic Remembrance Centuries later, Psalm 105 surveys the Exodus miracles to kindle faith in subsequent generations: “He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country” (Psalm 105:31). By pairing gnats with flies the psalmist compresses the narrative, emphasizing the series of pestilences as a single divine strategy. The memory of the small insect enlarges the congregation’s view of God’s faithfulness, inviting praise for past deliverance while trusting for present help. Connections within the Canon While כֵּן itself occurs only in Exodus and Psalms, the motif of small creatures exposing human pride recurs. Jesus’ rebuke, “You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24), assumes the nuisance value of such insects and applies it to religious hypocrisy. The Exodus plague supplies historical depth to that image: gnats once confounded the world’s mightiest empire, so they still illustrate the folly of human self-confidence when confronted with divine holiness. Ministry and Personal Application 1. Small Instruments, Great Impact The Lord does not require grand means to accomplish His purposes. In ministry, seemingly insignificant acts—words spoken in season, hidden intercessions—may carry life-altering power. 2. Humility before the “Finger of God” Pharaoh’s sorcerers capitulated when faced with what they labeled “the finger of God.” Believers are reminded to discern and submit to God’s hand in circumstances that expose human limits. 3. The Alarm Clock of Minor Affliction Gnats irritate rather than destroy. Early chastisements in a believer’s life can be read as invitations to repent before graver consequences follow (1 Corinthians 11:31-32). 4. Proclamation of Complete Redemption The series of plagues culminated in Israel’s freedom and Egypt’s ruin. Preaching the gospel gains weight when it retains this Exodus rhythm: conviction of sin, demonstration of divine power, call to repentance, and promise of deliverance. Summary כֵּן stands not merely for a tiny insect but for the larger truth that God reigns, humbles the proud, and rescues His people. From the dust of Egypt to the praise of Israel, these six occurrences testify that the smallest agents in creation can magnify the glory of the Creator and advance His redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations הַכִּנִּ֖ים הַכִּנָּ֔ם הכנים הכנם כִּ֝נִּ֗ים כִנִּ֖ים כנים לְכִנִּ֖ם לכנם chinNim hak·kin·nām hak·kin·nîm hakkinNam hakkinnām hakkinNim hakkinnîm kin·nîm ḵin·nîm kinNim kinnîm ḵinnîm lə·ḵin·nim lechinNim ləḵinnimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 8:16 HEB: הָאָ֑רֶץ וְהָיָ֥ה לְכִנִּ֖ם בְּכָל־ אֶ֥רֶץ NAS: that it may become gnats through all KJV: of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land INT: of the earth may become gnats all the land Exodus 8:17 Exodus 8:17 Exodus 8:18 Exodus 8:18 Psalm 105:31 6 Occurrences |
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, Arabic 
, etc., Ethiopic 
louse; but these connections, as well as that with Late Hebrew כְּנִימָה, all involving radical מ, are most improbable