קַנָּא (qan.na)
qan.na
Jealous
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective qanna describes a fierce, exclusive jealousy that belongs solely to God. It appears in only five verses, primarily in Exodus and Deuteronomy, where it functions as a title for the Lord. This term captures the intensity of His covenant relationship with Israel, reflecting a demand for undivided loyalty rather than human envy.
Unlike human jealousy, which often stems from insecurity or possessiveness, divine qanna reflects God’s zeal to protect the purity of His bond with His people. The sources note that it serves as another name for Yahweh, emphasizing that this attribute is central to His identity. When Scripture uses this word, it highlights the serious consequences of idolatry, as God will not share His glory with other gods.
Translators typically render qanna as "jealous," though this English word can carry negative connotations of petty resentment. In its biblical context, however, it signifies a passionate commitment to truth and relationship. The term underscores that God’s love is exclusive and demanding, requiring complete devotion from those who follow Him.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Scripture calls God qanna, it uses a word that carries the weight of a fierce, exclusive love. This is not the petty envy or insecurity we often feel in human relationships. Instead, it describes a holy zeal to protect the purity of His covenant with us. Just as a devoted spouse refuses to share their heart with another, God demands our undivided loyalty because He alone is worthy of it.
This attribute reminds us that idolatry is never just about breaking rules; it is about breaking trust. When we turn away from Him for anything else, we hurt the One who loves us most deeply. Yet this jealousy is also a promise: God will not let go of us. He fights for our faithfulness because He knows that only He can satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- jealous5×
- [is] jealous1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קַנָּ֔א2×
- קַנָּֽא\׃\ \פ1×
- קַנָּ֣א1×
- קַנָּ֛א1×
- קַנָּ֖א1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 34:14
for you shall worship no other god; for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
This verse uniquely identifies God’s name itself as 'Jealous,' showing that this zeal is central to His identity rather than just a temporary reaction.
-
Deuteronomy 6:15
for Yahweh your God among you is a jealous God, lest the anger of Yahweh your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.
Here the jealousy is linked directly to the danger of idolatry, warning that God will not share His glory with other gods among His people.
-
Exodus 20:5
you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me,
Placed right after the command against idols, this occurrence grounds the moral law in the character of God, explaining why worship belongs to Him alone.