קִנְאָה (qin.ah)
qin.ah
jealousy
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 28 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qin’ah describes an intense, consuming passion that can take several distinct forms. It ranges from the jealous anger of a husband betrayed by his wife’s infidelity to the fierce envy felt when another prospers. In these human contexts, it often carries a negative weight, reflecting possessive or resentful emotions that disrupt relationships.
However, the word is frequently used in Scripture to describe God’s character. When applied to Yahweh, qin’ah signifies a protective zeal for His covenant people and His glory. This divine jealousy is not petty insecurity but a fierce commitment to ensure His people remain faithful, as seen when God declares He will act with jealous fury against those who oppose His name in Isaiah 42:13.
Translators often struggle with this term because English lacks a single word that covers both destructive envy and holy zeal. Consequently, the same Hebrew word appears in Proverbs describing human resentment and in Kings describing Jehu’s zealous loyalty to God. The context determines whether the ardour is a sin to be avoided or a righteous attribute of God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qin'ah captures a powerful intensity that English struggles to translate with a single term. It can describe the destructive envy that rots the bones, as seen in Proverbs, or it can reflect the fierce, protective loyalty God shows toward His people. When applied to human relationships, this passion often leads to conflict and bitterness, reminding us of the need for peace and trust in our interactions with others.
Yet, when Scripture speaks of God’s qin'ah, it points to a holy zeal rather than petty insecurity. It is the fervent commitment of a covenant partner who refuses to let His people turn away into emptiness. This divine jealousy is not about control but about preservation and faithfulness. It assures us that God cares deeply about our spiritual well-being and will act to protect what He holds dear.
Understanding this duality helps us navigate our own emotions. We are invited to examine whether our passions are rooted in self-centered resentment or in a desire for righteousness. By seeking the Lord’s perspective, we can transform destructive envy into a healthy zeal for justice and a deeper appreciation of His faithful love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 28 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- jealousy10×
- [the] zeal of3×
- zeal/ my2×
- zeal2×
- jealousi<es>2×
- <the>/ jealousi<es>2×
- on/ zeal/ my1×
- jealousy/ your1×
- jealousy/ my1×
- jealousy/ his1×
- in/ zeal/ my1×
- envy/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קִנְאָֽה\׃4×
- קִנְאָ֥ה2×
- קִנְאָ֑ה2×
- קִנְאַת\־2×
- קִנְאַ֛ת2×
- הַ/קְּנָאֹ֑ת2×
- קִנְאָֽתְ/ךָ֙1×
- קִנְאָתָ֖/ם1×
- קִנְאָתֶֽ/ךָ\׃1×
- קִנְאָתִ֖/י1×
- קִנְאָתִ֔/י1×
- קִנְאָתִ֑/י1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 5:14
and the spirit of jealousy comes on him, and he is jealous of his wife and she is defiled; or if the spirit of jealousy comes on him, and he is jealous of his wife and she isn’t defiled;
This verse establishes the legal context where qin'ah describes a husband’s jealous suspicion, highlighting the word’s use in human relational conflicts.
-
Proverbs 6:34
For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won’t spare in the day of vengeance.
Here the term illustrates how jealousy can provoke intense fury, serving as a warning about the destructive power of possessive emotions.
-
Song of Solomon 8:6
Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of Yah.
The text uses qin'ah to describe the fierce and unyielding nature of romantic love, showing its capacity for deep commitment rather than just envy.
-
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.
Phinehas is commended for being jealous with God’s own jealousy, demonstrating how the word can signify righteous zeal for God’s honor.
-
Isaiah 42:13
Yahweh will go out like a mighty man. He will stir up zeal like a man of war. He will raise a war cry. Yes, he will shout aloud. He will triumph over his enemies.
God is depicted stirring up zeal like a warrior, using qin'ah to describe His active defense of His people and glory against enemies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word qin'ah mean?
Is qin'ah always negative in the Bible?
How is qin'ah different from other words for jealousy?
Every Occurrence (28 verses across 10 books)
Numbers 7 verses
and the spirit of jealousy comes on him, and he is jealous of his wife and she is defiled; or if the spirit of jealousy…
Numbers 5:15then the man shall bring his wife to the priest, and shall bring her offering for her: one tenth of an ephah of barley…
Numbers 5:18The priest shall set the woman before Yahweh, and let the hair of the woman’s head go loose, and put the meal offering…
Numbers 5:25The priest shall take the meal offering of jealousy out of the woman’s hand, and shall wave the meal offering before…
Numbers 5:29“‘This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, being under her husband, goes astray, and is defiled,
Numbers 5:30or when the spirit of jealousy comes on a man, and he is jealous of his wife; then he shall set the woman before…
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…