כָּנַע (ka.na)
ka.na
be humble
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 31 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb kanah carries the physical image of bending the knee, a posture that naturally extends to meaning humility or subjection. In the Old Testament, it describes both the internal state of being lowly and the external reality of being brought under control. This dual sense appears clearly in historical narratives where nations are subdued by military force, such as when Israel’s enemies were brought into subjection during the reigns of David and Solomon (2 Samuel 8:1; 1 Chronicles 18:1).
The word is particularly notable for its use in describing national repentance. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises to heal the land if His people humble themselves, pray, and seek His face. Here, kanah signifies a voluntary lowering of pride before God, contrasting with the forced submission of enemies. Translators often render it as "humble" or "subdue," depending on whether the subject is choosing submission or experiencing defeat.
Its root connection to bending the knee provides a vivid picture of dependence. Whether referring to a king acknowledging God’s authority or a conquered people facing their victor, the term emphasizes a change in status and posture. This linguistic link helps readers understand that true humility in Scripture involves both an inward attitude and an outward act of yielding.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word for being humble carries a vivid physical image: bending the knee. It describes both an internal attitude of lowliness and an external act of submission. In Scripture, this posture is not about weakness but about recognizing our true place before God. When we lower ourselves, we acknowledge that He is sovereign and we are dependent on His grace.
This dual meaning offers comfort in difficult times. Whether facing national crisis or personal pride, the path to healing begins with lowering ourselves before the Lord. As seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14, when God’s people humble themselves, He promises to hear, forgive, and heal. This is an invitation to rest in His strength rather than striving in our own.
True humility changes our status from self-reliant to God-reliant. It is a voluntary yielding that opens the door for divine intervention. By bending the knee of our hearts, we align ourselves with God’s will and experience the peace that comes from trusting His authority over our lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 31 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ you humbled yourself3×
- and/ they were subdued3×
- he humbled himself2×
- he has humbled himself2×
- and/ they were humbled2×
- and/ it was subdued2×
- and/ he subdued/ them2×
- and/ he humbled himself2×
- you will subdue1×
- they humbled themselves1×
- they have humbled themselves1×
- they had humbled themselves1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/תִּכָּנַ֣ע\׀2×
- וַ/יַּכְנִיעֵ֑/ם2×
- וַ/יִּכָּנַ֣ע2×
- וַ/יִּכָּנְע֥וּ2×
- וַ/יִּכָּֽנְעוּ֙2×
- תַּכְנִ֑יעַ1×
- נִכְנָ֔עוּ1×
- נִכְנַע֙1×
- נִכְנַ֥ע1×
- נִכְנַ֣ע1×
- נִכְנַ֗ע1×
- נִכְנְע֖וּ1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 7:14
if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
This verse links national healing directly to the people's voluntary act of humbling themselves, showing humility as the key to divine restoration.
-
I Kings 21:29
“See how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but I will bring the evil on his house in his son’s day.”
God explicitly notes that because Ahab humbled himself, He delayed judgment, demonstrating how humility can alter the course of consequences.
-
II Chronicles 32:26
However, Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that Yahweh’s wrath didn’t come on them in the days of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah’s humility prevented wrath from coming upon Jerusalem, illustrating that personal submission to God protects the community from disaster.
-
Leviticus 26:41
I also walked contrary to them, and brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled, and they then accept the punishment of their iniquity,
The text connects the humbling of the uncircumcised heart with accepting punishment, indicating that humility is required for genuine repentance and restoration.