Original Word: קַנּוֹא
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: qannow'
Pronunciation: kan-NO
Phonetic Spelling: (kan-no')
KJV: jealous
NASB: jealous
Word Origin: [for H7067 (קַנָּא - jealous)]

1. jealous or angry

jealous

For qanna'; jealous or angry -- jealous.

see HEBREW qanna'

Word Origin
from the same as qinah
Definition
jealous
NASB Translation
jealous (2).

קַנּוֺא adjective id.; — אֵל קַנּוֺא Joshua 24:19 (E) (compare Deuteronomy 6:15 above), Nahum 1:2 ("" נֹקֵם).

Meaning and Theological Significance

The adjective conveys the burning zeal of God for His own honor and for the exclusive allegiance of His covenant people. Rather than describing a petty emotion, it points to the unwavering commitment of the Lord to protect the holiness of His name and the integrity of His relationship with Israel.

Canonical Occurrences

1. Joshua 24:19 presents the term at the close of Joshua’s leadership. Having rehearsed Yahweh’s mighty acts, Joshua warns the nation, “He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions or your sins”. The word functions as a final safeguard, impressing on the people that casual devotion or syncretism cannot coexist with covenant loyalty.
2. Nahum 1:2 opens a prophetic oracle against Nineveh: “A jealous and avenging God is the LORD…”. Here the attribute provides the moral foundation for divine judgment on a nation that has oppressed the covenant community.

Covenant Faithfulness and Exclusive Worship

Jealousy is inseparable from covenant. In the ancient Near East, marriage covenants included expectations of fidelity. Scripture applies that model to God’s bond with Israel. His jealousy therefore protects the covenant from the twin threats of idolatry and moral compromise (see Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 32:16). When Israel worships other gods, the Lord reacts with the same righteous zeal a faithful husband would feel toward betrayal.

Holiness and Justice

Joshua pairs jealousy with holiness. The two concepts stand in mutual reinforcement: holiness sets God apart; jealousy guards that distinctiveness from profanation. Nahum adds vengeance, showing that divine jealousy moves from passion to action when His character or people are violated. God’s wrath is never arbitrary—it flows from the same righteous ardor that birthed the covenant.

Historical Contexts of Usage

• At Shechem (Joshua 24), the term seals the transition from conquest to settlement. The people’s future in the land hinges on honoring a jealous God.
• In Nahum, Judah suffers under Assyrian domination. The prophet’s proclamation of Yahweh’s jealousy reassures the oppressed that their covenant Lord will not let injustice stand.

Prophetic Echoes and Spiritual Adultery

Later prophets employ cognate terms to depict Israel’s unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 16; Hosea 2). The jealousy motif thus becomes a framework for understanding exile and restoration: God disciplines to reclaim the bride He loves.

Christological Fulfillment

The same zeal appears in the ministry of Jesus. When He cleanses the temple, His disciples recall, “Zeal for Your house will consume Me” (John 2:17, quoting Psalm 69:9). At the cross, divine jealousy and justice converge: God vindicates His holiness while securing a spotless bride for His Son (Ephesians 5:25-27).

New Testament Resonance

Paul mirrors the concept when he tells the Corinthians, “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy” (2 Corinthians 11:2). The apostle’s pastoral concern reflects the Lord’s own passion that believers remain pure and undivided in devotion to Christ.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Worship: Corporate gatherings should guard against syncretistic tendencies—whether cultural idols, man-centered liturgies, or doctrinal compromise—in order to honor the Lord’s exclusive claims.
• Discipleship: Presenting the gospel involves calling people not merely to add Jesus to an existing pantheon of loyalties but to submit to Him alone.
• Pastoral Care: God’s jealousy offers both warning and comfort—warning against spiritual infidelity and comfort that He zealously safeguards His redeemed.
• Holiness: Personal sanctification flows from recognizing that sin grieves a God who is passionately invested in His people.

Summary

The brief scriptural footprint of the word belies its theological weight. Divine jealousy insists on exclusive worship, undergirds righteous judgment, and ultimately propels the redemptive mission that culminates in Christ and the Church. A right understanding of this attribute deepens reverence, fortifies obedience, and sustains hope in the God who will not forsake His covenant.

קַנּ֣וֹא קַנּ֤וֹא קנוא kanNo qan·nō·w qannōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts