קָנָא (qa.na)
qa.na
be jealous
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 26 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qana means to be zealous, envious, or jealous. It describes an intense emotional state that can be either positive or negative depending on the context. In the Piel stem, it often refers to a husband’s jealousy regarding his wife’s fidelity, as seen in the ritual described in Numbers 5:14, where suspicion of infidelity triggers this specific form of jealous anger.
Conversely, qana frequently appears in contexts of envy toward others’ success or status. Proverbs warns against envying sinful men (Proverbs 3:31), and the psalmist admits to being envious of the prosperous wicked (Psalm 73:3). This negative usage highlights a restless discontent with what belongs to another.
However, the word also carries a powerful positive charge when directed toward God. In Numbers 25:11, Phinehas is praised for being "zealous" for God’s honor by stopping idolatry. Here, qana signifies passionate loyalty and protective fervor. God himself claims this attribute in Exodus 34:14, declaring He is a jealous God who will not share His glory with idols, emphasizing the exclusive nature of the covenant relationship.
The root likely relates to the idea of burning or becoming red-faced from strong emotion. Translators often render it as "zeal" when referring to divine or righteous passion, and "envy" or "jealousy" in interpersonal conflicts. This duality shows that qana is not merely an emotion but a driving force for action, whether in defending honor or pursuing righteousness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qana captures a deep intensity that can flow in two directions. When it turns inward toward others, it becomes envy—a restless discontent that compares our lives to those who seem more successful or blessed. Scripture warns us against this spirit, reminding us that focusing on what belongs to someone else only steals our peace and distracts us from God’s unique plan for our own journey.
Yet the same word describes a holy passion when directed toward God. It is the fierce loyalty that refuses to share devotion with idols or compromise with sin. This zeal is not about controlling others but protecting the integrity of our relationship with the Creator. It asks us to guard our hearts against anything that competes for the place only God should hold.
Understanding this balance helps us examine our own motivations. Are we consumed by what others have, or are we burning with a desire to honor God alone? The invitation is to let that holy jealousy shape your daily choices, keeping your focus fixed on His faithfulness rather than the distractions of the world around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 26 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you be jealous4×
- and/ he will be jealous of3×
- I am jealous3×
- they made jealous/ him2×
- certainly <to be zealous>2×
- because/ was zealous/ he2×
- I have been zealous2×
- ¿/ zealous1×
- they have made jealous/ me1×
- it will be jealous of1×
- it be jealous1×
- he was zealous1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְּ֭קַנֵּא2×
- תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א2×
- קַנֹּ֨א2×
- קִנֵּ֥אתִי2×
- קִנֵּ֜אתִי2×
- יְקַנֵּ֣א2×
- וַ/יְקַנְא֣וּ2×
- וְ/קִנֵּ֣א2×
- קִנֵּא֙1×
- קִנֵּ֧אתִי1×
- קִנְא֣וּ/נִי1×
- קִ֭נֵּאתִי1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 25:11
“Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I didn’t consume the children of Israel in my jealousy.
This verse shows Phinehas acting with divine zeal to stop idolatry, demonstrating how qana can be a righteous force for protecting God's honor.
-
Psalms 73:3
For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
The psalmist admits to being envious of the wicked, illustrating the negative side of qana as a struggle with discontent and comparison.
-
I Kings 19:10
He said, “I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
Elijah claims he has been very jealous for Yahweh, showing how this intense loyalty can coexist with personal fear and isolation.
-
Genesis 37:11
His brothers envied him, but his father kept this saying in mind.
Jacob’s brothers envied Joseph, providing a clear example of qana as a destructive emotion that damages family relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word qana mean?
How is qana different from other words for jealousy?
Does the Bible view jealousy as always bad?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (26 verses across 10 books)
Genesis 3 verses
He had possessions of flocks, possessions of herds, and a great household. The Philistines envied him.
Genesis 30:1When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or…
Genesis 37:11His brothers envied him, but his father kept this saying in mind.