מכנסיים

Hebrew

Root
כ־נ־ס (k-n-s)
13 terms

Etymology

Either of native Semitic origin or borrowed from an Egyptian source. Following the former it is derived from the root כָּנַס (kanás, “to cover, hide”), as the purpose of the priestly undergarments was to further hide the intimate parts (see Exodus 28:42 below). Pants or breeches were more suitable for this, given that tunics and simple cloths were the main ways of dressing oneself in the ancient Mediterranean.

Alternatively, it may go back to an Egyptian derivation as m- +‎ kns (“pubic region”), or merely a borrowing of Egyptian kns whose root was consequently put into the mishkal מִקְטָל to derive the present word.

When pants become more widespread and weren't exclusive to priests the meaning of this word was extended to include all garments having two openings for the legs.

Pronunciation

Noun

מכנסיים / מִכְנָסַיִם • (mikhnasáyim) m du (singular construct מִכְנְסֵי־) [pattern: מִקְטָל]

  1. Pants, breeches, drawers, trousers: a garment for the legs, with a separate sleeve for each leg.
  2. Priestly undergarments (worn by kohanim under their tunics during service in the Tabernacle and later Temple)
    • Tanach, Exodus 28:42, with translation of the Jewish Publication Society:
      וַעֲשֵׂה לָהֶם מִכְנְסֵי־בָד לְכַסּוֹת בְּשַׂר עֶרְוָה מִמׇּתְנַיִם וְעַד־יְרֵכַיִם יִהְיוּ׃
      And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach.
    • Tanach, Leviticus 6:3, with translation of the Jewish Publication Society:
      וְלָבַשׁ הַכֹּהֵן מִדּוֹ בַד וּמִכְנְסֵי־בַד יִלְבַּשׁ עַל־בְּשָׂרוֹ וְהֵרִים אֶת־הַדֶּשֶׁן אֲשֶׁר תֹּאכַל הָאֵשׁ אֶת־הָעֹלָה עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְשָׂמוֹ אֵצֶל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ׃
      And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh; and he shall take up the ashes whereto the fire hath consumed the burnt-offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.

Declension

Declension of מִכְנָסַיִם
isolated forms with possessive pronouns
Number: State: form Person: singular plural
m f m f
dual indefinite מִכְנָסַיִם first מכנסיי / מִכְנָסַי מִכְנָסֵינוּ
definite הַמִּכְנָסַיִם second מִכְנָסֶיךָ מכנסייך / מִכְנָסַיִךְ מִכְנְסֵיכֶם מִכְנְסֵיכֶן
construct מִכְנְסֵי־ third מִכְנָסָיו מִכְנָסֶיהָ מִכְנְסֵיהֶם מִכְנְסֵיהֶן

References

Further reading

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