Quranic root
جنف
j · n · f
The root centers on the notion of leaning or inclining.
This basic notion develops into deviation from the right course or justice, deliberate inclination toward something, and physical or postural leaning in specialized Classical usages.
- Maqāyīs · row 1235
- Lane · entry 47535
- Lane · entry 47542
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 2
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
جَنَف
janaf
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
A manifest deviation from justice or right judgment, especially an inequitable testamentary disposition.
In Qur'an 2:182, it describes wrongful bias or deviation by a testator in a bequest.
- Lane · entry 47535
- Mufradāt · row 270
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:182word 5
“(any) error”
مُتَجَانِف
mutajānif
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Inclining toward sin; intending or purposing to commit it.
In the Qur'anic construction مُتَجَانِفٍ لِإِثْمٍ, the participle denotes purposeful inclination toward sinful disobedience.
- Lane · entry 47537
- Lane · entry 47544
- Mufradāt · row 270
Selected Quran examples
Quran 5:3word 56
“inclining”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 2 occurrencesBroader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 13 Classical meanings
جَنَف
Inclination or deviation from the right course in speech or affairs; wrongful, unjust, injurious, or tyrannical conduct.
A general Classical usage, not restricted to judges or testamentary matters.
- Lane · entry 47535
جَنَف
A depression on one side of the breast or chest, with the other side remaining even.
A physical description of asymmetry of the chest.
- Lane · entry 47535
جَنَاف
Persistent withdrawal from, or estrangement from, one's family.
Used in the conventional expression جِنَافٍ قَبِيحٍ.
- Lane · entry 47536
أَجْنَفَ
To commit an act of wrongful inclination or deviation from the right course.
A Form IV verbal usage describing the performance of such wrongdoing.
- Lane · entry 47537
أَجْنَفَ
To find or judge someone to have deviated from the right way in judgment, acting wrongfully or unjustly therein.
Used transitively with reference to another person's judgment or conduct.
- Lane · entry 47537
تَجَانَفَ
To carry oneself with a proud, self-conscious swaying inclination in one's gait.
The inclination is a bodily movement from side to side while walking.
- Lane · entry 47537
تَجَانَفَ
To deliberately deviate from one's course or intentionally incline toward something.
Used with عن for deliberate deviation and with إلى for intentional inclination toward an object or aim.
- Lane · entry 47537
جَنَفَ
An epithet for one who inclines or acts wrongfully against another.
Reported as applying to either a singular or a plural subject.
- Lane · entry 47538
جُنَافِيّ
A person who walks with proud, self-conceited side-to-side swaying.
The term characterizes the person by the affected inclination of the gait.
- Lane · entry 47540
أَجْنَف
Inclining away from right or acting wrongfully, unjustly, injuriously, or tyrannically.
An adjective applied to a person or adversary, including in judgment or testamentary contexts.
- Lane · entry 47542
أَجْنَف
Inclining or pendulous, said of a penis.
A specialized anatomical usage.
- Lane · entry 47542
أَجْنَف
Having a bent back.
A physical description applied to a man.
- Lane · entry 47542
أَجْنَف
Big or large.
A specialized description applied to a bowl.
- Lane · entry 47542
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
Lane's printed Quran references use historical citation notation and are not treated as modern verse locations; the examples here use the independently supplied QAC locations 2:182 and 5:3.
One Lane gait passage notes textual uncertainty in part of its wording; only the clearly supported general meaning of proud swaying in gait is represented.