קַנּוֹא (qan.no)
qan.no
jealous
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective qan-no means jealous, appearing only once in the Old Testament in Joshua 24:19. In this specific context, it describes the intense, protective nature of God’s relationship with Israel. The verse warns that Yahweh is a jealous God who will not forgive transgression or rebellion lightly.
This rare usage highlights the exclusivity demanded in the covenant. It is not merely envy but a fierce dedication to loyalty. The term underscores that true devotion to God requires undivided allegiance, rejecting any rival claims on the heart.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qan-no appears just once in the Old Testament, found in Joshua 24:19. Here it describes God as a jealous God. This does not mean He is insecure or petty. Instead, it reveals His fierce dedication to His people and His covenant with them.
When we read that God is jealous, we are seeing the depth of His love. He desires our undivided loyalty because He knows what is best for us. Rival gods cannot offer true life or peace. This exclusivity protects us from harm and keeps our hearts anchored in truth.
Understanding this helps us see that our relationship with God is personal and serious. It invites us to trust Him fully, knowing that His demands come from a place of protective care. We can rest in the knowledge that He fights for our good against anything that would steal our joy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- jealous1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קַנּ֣וֹא1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 24:19
Joshua said to the people, “You can’t serve Yahweh, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins.
This verse uniquely uses qan-no to warn Israel that God's holiness requires exclusive loyalty and He will not overlook rebellion.