Original Word: קָנָא
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: qana'
Pronunciation: kaw-naw'
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-naw')
KJV: (be) envy(-ious), be (move to, provoke to) jealous(-y), X very, (be) zeal(-ous)
NASB: jealous, envious, been very zealous, envy, became envious, became jealous, envied
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e. (in a bad sense) jealous or envious

be envious, be move to, provoke to jealousy, very, be zealous

A primitive root; to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e. (in a bad sense) jealous or envious -- (be) envy(-ious), be (move to, provoke to) jealous(-y), X very, (be) zeal(-ous).

Word Origin
denominative verb from qinah
Definition
to be jealous or zealous
NASB Translation
became envious (1), became jealous (1), been very zealous (2), envied (1), envious (4), envy (2), jealous (14), jealousy (1), made him jealous (1), made me jealous (1), provoked him to jealousy (1), provokes to jealousy (1), zeal (1), zealous (1).

קָנָא verb denominative Pi`el be jealous, zealous (Gerber¹³¹); — Perfect3masculine singular קִנֵּא Numbers 25:13+; 1singular קִנֵּאתִי Zechariah 1:14 + etc.; Imperfect יְקַנֵּא Isaiah 11:13; Proverbs 23:17, etc.; Infinitive absolute קַנֹּא 1 Kings 19:10,14; construct suffix קַנְאוֺ Numbers 25:11; קַנּאֹתוֺ 2 Samuel 21:2; Participle מְקַנֵּא Numbers 11:29; —

1 be jealous of, with accusative אֶתאִֿשְׁתּוֺ Numbers 5:14 (twice in verse); Numbers 5:30 (P); in rivalry Isaiah 11:13.

2 be envious of with ב person, Genesis 30:1 (E), Genesis 37:11 (J) Psalm 37:1; Psalm 73:3; Proverbs 3:31; Proverbs 23:17; Proverbs 24:1,19; with accusative of person Genesis 26:14 (J), Ezekiel 31:9; with ל person Psalm 106:16.

3 be zealous for:

a. of man, with ל person Numbers 11:29 (J), 2 Samuel 21:2; for God Numbers 25:13 (P), 1 Kings 19:10,14; קנאה ׳ק Numbers 25:11(P).

b. of God, לְשֵׁם קָדְשִׁי Ezekiel 39:25, לְאַרְצוֺ Joel 2:18, ׳לִירוּשׁ Zechariah 1:14, לְצִיּוֺן Zechariah 8:2 (twice in verse).

4 excite to jealous anger, with בִּ instrumental Deuteronomy 32:21 a (dubious; probably הַקְנִאוּנִי; compare Deuteronomy 32:16.21 b), 1 Kings 14:22.

Hiph`il provoke to jealous anger: Imperfect3masculine plural suffix יַקְנִאֻהוּ Deuteronomy 32:16; יַקְנִיאוּהוּ Psalm 78:58 ("" וַיַּכְעִיסוּהוּ) 1 singular אַקְנִיאֵם Deuteronomy 32:21 b; Participle metaplastic מַקְנֶה Ezekiel 8:3 (Ges^{§ 75q}, del Co.).

Concept and Range

קָנָא (Strong 7065) describes the heat of jealousy or zeal that is aroused when an exclusive relationship, a righteous cause, or personal honor is threatened. Of its roughly thirty-two uses, some carry a negative sense of envy, while others portray the righteous ardor that moves God or His servants to decisive action. The same root therefore exposes the counterfeit devotion of idolatry and the fervent loyalty demanded by covenant love.

Divine Jealousy: The Protective Passion of Covenant Love

The verb surfaces repeatedly when Israel’s unfaithfulness provokes the Lord. “They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods” (Deuteronomy 32:16). Far from petty envy, this is the burning faithfulness of a Husband who refuses to share His bride with idols. By asserting this jealousy, God reveals both His holiness and His steadfast commitment: “I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion” (Zechariah 1:14). When repentance follows, the same passion becomes redemptive: “Then the Lord became jealous for His land and spared His people” (Joel 2:18). Thus קָנָא anchors the covenant formula—exclusive worship brings blessing; spiritual adultery brings consuming discipline.

Zealous Action Against Idolatry

Numbers 25 presents the classic human counterpart. Phinehas “was zealous with My zeal” (25:11), turning divine wrath away through decisive judgment. The Lord rewarded him with “a covenant of a permanent priesthood” (25:13), demonstrating that true zeal for God safeguards the community and preserves worship. This narrative became paradigmatic for later prophets who pleaded for similar covenant-loyal zeal (cf. Ezekiel 36:5; 38:19).

Human Envy and Rivalry

The darker face of קָנָא is jealousy between people. Philistines resent Isaac’s prosperity (Genesis 26:14). Rachel envies Leah’s children (Genesis 30:1). Joseph’s brothers “were jealous of him” (Genesis 37:11), setting in motion the saga that would eventually place Joseph in Egypt. In the wilderness, the congregation “envied Moses and Aaron” (Psalm 106:16). Such envy fractures relationships, foments hatred, and opposes the sovereign distribution of God’s gifts.

Jealousy in Marriage and Family

Numbers 5 applies the verb to suspected adultery: “If a spirit of jealousy comes over a husband” (5:14). The unique ritual underscores that marital fidelity mirrors the covenant; unjustified suspicion is exposed, while genuine transgression is judged. Proverbs echoes the theme: “Jealousy enrages a husband” (Proverbs 6:34). Song of Solomon elevates the concept positively: “Its jealousy is as unyielding as Sheol” (8:6), celebrating the fierce exclusivity of marital love.

Zeal in Leadership and Ministry

Moses asked Joshua, “Are you jealous for my sake?” (Numbers 11:29), teaching that zeal must be subordinate to God’s purposes, not personal prestige. Saul’s “zeal for Israel and Judah” (2 Samuel 21:2) shows nationalistic application, though Saul’s earlier disobedience warns that zeal divorced from obedience becomes destructive. Elijah later claims to be “very zealous for the Lord,” channeling the covenant passion against Baal worship (though the verb used is the noun form in 1 Kings 19:10).

Prophetic Judgments and Future Restoration

Prophets employ קָנָא to announce both devastation and hope. Idolatry erects “the idol of jealousy that provokes to jealousy” (Ezekiel 8:3; 8:5–6), bringing catastrophic discipline (Ezekiel 5:13). Yet the same zeal guarantees eventual restoration: “I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am zealous for her with great wrath” (Zechariah 8:2). God’s ardor therefore becomes the furnace that purifies Israel for eschatological blessing.

Wisdom Literature: A Heart Check

Proverbs and Ecclesiastes harness קָנָא to warn against coveting success or wicked advantage. “Do not envy a violent man” (Proverbs 3:31). “Do not let your heart envy sinners” (Proverbs 23:17). Ecclesiastes 4:4 observes that much human toil springs from rivalry, a vanity that yields no lasting gain. Scripture consequently urges contentment grounded in fear of the Lord.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Worship: The Church must safeguard exclusive devotion to Christ, avoiding syncretism that would provoke the Lord’s jealousy (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:2).
2. Discipline: Righteous zeal—modeled by Phinehas—moves leaders to confront sin for the health of the body.
3. Personal Holiness: Believers examine hearts for envy, confessing it as sin (James 3:14-16) and cultivating godly contentment.
4. Mission: God’s zeal for His name assures the success of the Great Commission; His passion to receive worship from all nations fuels evangelism.

Key Passages by Emphasis

• Divine jealousy threatened: Deuteronomy 32:16, 21; Psalm 78:58; Ezekiel 8:3-6.
• Divine jealousy protecting and restoring: Joel 2:18; Zechariah 1:14; 8:2.
• Human righteous zeal: Numbers 25:11-13; 2 Samuel 21:2.
• Human envy: Genesis 26:14; 30:1; 37:11; Psalm 106:16; Proverbs 3:31; 23:17; 24:1.
• Marital jealousy: Numbers 5:14; Proverbs 6:34; Song of Solomon 8:6.

קָנָא therefore calls God’s people to wholehearted allegiance, warns against consuming envy, and promises that the Lord’s own relentless zeal will ultimately vindicate His name and redeem His people.

אַקְנִיאֵ֣ם אקניאם בְּקַנֹּאת֥וֹ בקנאתו הַֽמְקַנֵּ֥א המקנא וְקִנֵּ֣א וְקִנֵּ֥א וְקִנֵּאתִ֖י וַיְקַנְא֣וּ וַיְקַנְא֥וּ וַיְקַנְאֻ֙הוּ֙ וַיְקַנְאוּ־ וַיְקַנֵּ֥א וַתְּקַנֵּ֥א ויקנא ויקנאהו ויקנאו ויקנאו־ וקנא וקנאתי ותקנא יְקַנֵּ֣א יַקְנִאֻ֖הוּ יַקְנִיאֽוּהוּ׃ יקנא יקנאהו יקניאוהו׃ קִ֭נֵּאתִי קִנְא֣וּנִי קִנֵּ֜אתִי קִנֵּ֥אתִי קִנֵּ֧אתִי קִנֵּא֙ קַנֹּ֨א קנא קנאוני קנאתי תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א תְּ֭קַנֵּא תקנא ’aq·nî·’êm ’aqnî’êm akniEm bə·qan·nō·ṯōw bekannoTo bəqannōṯōw ham·qan·nê hamkanNe hamqannê kanNo kinNe kinNeti kinUni qan·nō qannō qin’ūnî qin·’ū·nî qin·nê qin·nê·ṯî qinnê qinnêṯî tə·qan·nê tekanNe təqannê vattekanNe vaykanNe vaykanU vaykanUhu vekinNe vekinneTi wat·tə·qan·nê wattəqannê way·qan·’ū way·qan·’ū- way·qan·’u·hū way·qan·nê wayqan’ū wayqan’ū- wayqan’uhū wayqannê wə·qin·nê wə·qin·nê·ṯî wəqinnê wəqinnêṯî yakniUhu yaq·ni·’u·hū yaq·nî·’ū·hū yaqni’uhū yaqnî’ūhū yə·qan·nê yekanNe yəqannêInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts