Original Word: כְּנָת
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: knath
Pronunciation: keh-nath
Phonetic Spelling: (ken-awth')
NASB: colleagues
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H3674 (כְּנָת - colleagues)]

1. companion

companion

(Aramaic) corresponding to knath -- companion.

see HEBREW knath

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to kenath
Definition
an associate
NASB Translation
colleagues (7).

[כְּנָת] noun masculine associate (Old Aramaic id, Lzb²⁹⁸ SAC⁶⁵; S-C^{B 6}; Syriac ; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic [, ] Schw^{Idioticon 46} Schulth^{Lex. 93}; √ apparently כנח K^{§ 56, a}) β2M^{§ 74 c}; Buhl makes loan-word from Assyrian kinâtu, 'Genosse,' but see Dl^{WB 338} Zim^{M.p. 66} *); — associate, plural suffix כְּבָוָתֵהּ Ezra 5:6, תְהוֺן- Ezra 4:9,17,23; Ezra 5:3; Ezra 6:6,13.

Occurrences in Ezra

כְּנָת appears seven times, each within the Aramaic section of Ezra (Ezra 4:9; 4:17; 4:23; 5:3; 5:6; 6:6; 6:13). In every instance it describes the “colleagues,” “associates,” or “companions” who stand with leading Persian officials—first Rehum and Shimshai (chapter 4) and later Tattenai and Shethar-bozenai (chapters 5–6). The word always occurs in the plural and always in a political or judicial context, underscoring the collective nature of the opposition to the rebuilding of the Temple.

Historical Setting

After the initial return under Zerubbabel (Ezra 1–3), local adversaries repeatedly sought imperial support to halt the reconstruction effort. Artaxerxes received a petition from Rehum, Shimshai, and “their colleagues” (Ezra 4:9), leading to a royal injunction that forced the work to cease (Ezra 4:23). Years later, under Darius, a new cadre of officials—Tattenai, Shethar-bozenai, “and their colleagues” (Ezra 5:3, 5:6)—investigated the re-opened project. Although the same collective term is used, the outcome differs: Darius confirms the Jews’ right to build and orders the regional government to support rather than hinder them (Ezra 6:6-12). Thus כְּנָת traces a movement from unified hostility to compelled cooperation.

Patterns of Usage

1. Opposition fostered by peer solidarity (Ezra 4:9, 23).
2. Royal correspondence addressed to entire administrative cohorts (Ezra 4:17; 5:6; 6:6).
3. Collective accountability when the king’s decree mandates assistance (Ezra 6:13).

The term is never used for the community of returned exiles, only for foreign officials, highlighting a distinction between God’s covenant people and those who would thwart His purposes.

Theological Insights

• Collective power can be marshaled either against or for God’s work. The same imperial structures that halted construction under Artaxerxes later ensured its completion under Darius. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases” (Proverbs 21:1).

• Human alliances do not overturn divine decrees. The opposition’s “colleagues” could delay but not defeat the covenant promise that the Temple would be rebuilt (Isaiah 44:28; Haggai 2:4-9).

• God’s people must often navigate civil systems. Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Haggai, and Zechariah addressed spiritual matters while also engaging official channels, showing the legitimacy of working within governmental frameworks without compromising obedience to God (compare Romans 13:1-7; Acts 5:29).

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Expect organized resistance. Ministry initiatives that advance the kingdom frequently provoke coordinated opposition. Awareness of such patterns prepares leaders to respond with prayerful perseverance (Nehemiah 4:7-9).

2. Maintain integrity in official dealings. Like the Jews who cited Cyrus’ decree (Ezra 5:11-16), believers today should appeal to lawful provisions while trusting the Lord for ultimate vindication.

3. Recognize God’s sovereignty over bureaucratic structures. The shift from prohibition to royal patronage in Ezra 6 encourages believers to petition God for favor with authorities (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and to view obstacles as opportunities for His power to be displayed.

Christological Foreshadowing

The hostility of united officials toward the Temple prefigures the coalition of religious and civil authorities against Jesus (Matthew 27:1). Yet as Darius’ decree ultimately advanced the Temple’s completion, so the cross—an act of collective opposition—became the very means by which God accomplished redemption (Acts 2:23-24).

Related Concepts

• “Beyond the River” (Ezra 4:10; 5:3): the Persian satrapy west of the Euphrates, sphere of these officials.
• “Governor” (פַּחֲוָה): title borne by both Rehum and Tattenai, often paired with כְּנָת to stress hierarchical cooperation.
• “Rest” (שְׁאָר): frequently coupled with כְּנָת (“the rest of their colleagues”), emphasizing that opposition was broader than the named leaders.

Summary

כְּנָת in Ezra captures the collective apparatus of imperial power—sometimes obstructing, ultimately facilitating—the rebuilding of God’s house. The word reminds readers that human alliances, however formidable, remain subordinate to the unchanging purposes of the Lord of hosts.

וּכְנָ֣וָתֵ֔הּ וּכְנָוָ֣תְה֔וֹן וּכְנָוָתְה֑וֹן וכנותה וכנותהון כְּנָוָ֣תְה֔וֹן כְּנָוָתְה֑וֹן כנותהון kə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn kenavateHon kənāwāṯəhōwn ū·ḵə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn ū·ḵə·nā·wā·ṯêh ucheNavaTeh uchenavateHon ūḵənāwāṯêh ūḵənāwāṯəhōwnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts