Original Word: כָּנָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kanah
Pronunciation: kah-NAH
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-naw')
KJV: give flattering titles, surname (himself)
NASB: flatter, given you a title, name with honor, title of honor
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to address by an additional name
2. (hence) to eulogize

give flattering titles, surname himself

A primitive root; to address by an additional name; hence, to eulogize -- give flattering titles, surname (himself).

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to title, give an epithet
NASB Translation
flatter (2), given you a title (1), name with honor (1), title of honor (1).

[כָּנָה] verb Pi`el betitle, title, give an epithet or cognomen (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic כְּנָא, ; Arabic ) —

Pi`el Imperfect1singular suffix בִשְׁמֶ֑ךָ אֲכַנְּךָוָאֶקְרָא לְךָ Isaiah 45:4 I have called thee by thy name, giving thee a title (of honour; compare for construction Dr^{§ 163}); 3 masculine singular וּבְשֵׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל יְכַנֶּה Isaiah 44:5, and with the name Israel he titles (himself), is hardly possibly; absolute he betitles, or makes use of a title, is unlikely; read probably

Pu`al, see below, in bad sense = give a flattering title: וְאֶלאָֿדָם לֹא אֲכַנֶּה Job 32:21 and unto man I do not give flattering titles ("" אַללֿנָא אֶשָּׂא פְנֵי אִישׁ); absolute Job 32:22.

Pu`al Imperfect יְכֻנֶּה Isaiah 44:5 he is betitled (see above; so ᵑ7 Bi Che Du; "" יקרא בשׁם יעקב, etc.)

Semantic Range and Nuances

The verb כָּנָה expresses the act of assigning an additional name, title, or honorific. In human relationships it can shade into mere flattery; in divine contexts it signifies the legitimate bestowal of identity or dignity. The term therefore oscillates between unworthy sycophancy and God-ordained renaming that confers covenantal significance.

Occurrences and Contexts

1. Job 32:21-22 provides the only negative use. Elihu refuses to “flatter any man” because such pandering contradicts reverence for the Creator.
2. Isaiah 44:5 and Isaiah 45:4 present the positive pole. In the promised restoration, individuals “name” or “title” themselves with the covenant names Jacob and Israel, and the Lord Himself confers a “title of honor” on Cyrus for redemptive purposes.

Historical Setting

In the ancient Near East, conferring a new name marked ownership, covenant, or a fresh role (compare Genesis 17:5; 32:28). Royal courts also trafficked in hyperbolic titles to curry favor—an abuse Elihu repudiates. Isaiah, writing against the backdrop of exile, reclaims the practice: the faithful will proudly inscribe the Lord’s Name, while a pagan king receives a divinely sanctioned title to serve Israel’s deliverance (Isaiah 45:1-4).

Theological Implications

• Divine sovereignty: Only the Creator may assign enduring titles (Isaiah 45:4).
• Covenant identity: Taking the Lord’s Name (Isaiah 44:5) anticipates the New Covenant reality where believers are called “a people for His own possession” (1 Peter 2:9).
• Integrity of speech: Elihu links flattery with idolatry of men; God-fearers therefore eschew manipulative language (Proverbs 29:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:5).

Connection to Biblical Name Theology

The verb stands alongside key renaming episodes—Abram to Abraham, Simon to Peter—underscoring that God’s titles reshape destiny. Isaiah’s usage foreshadows Revelation 3:12 where overcomers receive “My new name,” the consummate כָּנָה act.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Leadership: Pastors resist the lure of honorific inflation, seeking God’s approval over human applause (Galatians 1:10).
• Discipleship: Teaching on identity in Christ draws on Isaiah 44:5 to encourage believers to own their new name publicly and sacramentally.
• Evangelism: Isaiah 45:4 models how God may “title” unbelievers for His service, fostering expectancy when engaging secular authorities.

Typological and Prophetic Dimensions

Cyrus’s unwitting reception of a divine title prefigures the greater Anointed One who consciously bears “King of kings” (Revelation 19:16). The redeemed who “write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s’” mirror the eschatological sealing of the saints (Revelation 7:3), completing the arc from self-chosen covenant name to God-bestowed eternal name.

Summary

כָּנָה warns against the emptiness of flattery yet illuminates the glory of God’s naming acts. When the Lord assigns a title, identity is transformed and mission is empowered; when humans trade in titles for advantage, they risk divine displeasure. The believer therefore rejects manipulative speech, embraces the name given by God, and lives in the security of being surnamed by the King of Heaven.

אֲכַנְּךָ֖ אֲכַנֶּ֑ה אֲכַנֶּֽה׃ אכנה אכנה׃ אכנך יְכַנֶּֽה׃ יכנה׃ ’ă·ḵan·nə·ḵā ’ă·ḵan·neh ’ăḵanneh ’ăḵannəḵā achanneCha achanNeh yə·ḵan·neh yechanNeh yəḵannehInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts