גַּנָּב
a stealer
Definition
The Hebrew noun גַּנָּב (gannâb) refers to a thief or stealer, specifically someone who takes property secretly rather than by open force. In the Old Testament, it describes a person who steals animals (Exodus 22:1), household goods (Exodus 22:7), or even people, as in the severe crime of kidnapping (Deuteronomy 24:7). The term is used both for literal thieves and metaphorically for those who act deceitfully, such as adulterers who 'steal' intimacy (Proverbs 6:30-31) or the wicked who secretly plot violence (Job 24:14).
Biblical Usage
גַּנָּב appears 17 times, primarily in legal and wisdom literature. It is frequent in Exodus 22, which details laws about theft and restitution. Deuteronomy 24:7 uses it for the capital crime of kidnapping. In poetic books, it describes the stealthy actions of the wicked (Job 24:14; Job 30:5) or the deceitful sinner (Psalm 50:18). Proverbs 6:30-31 discusses a thief's motives and restitution, showing the term's use in ethical teaching.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb גָּנַב (gānab, H1589), meaning 'to steal' or 'to act stealthily.' The noun form גַּנָּב emphasizes the actor—the one who steals. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages (like Akkadian 'ganābu'), indicating a common ancient concept of secret theft. The root conveys the idea of covert, deceptive taking, as opposed to open robbery.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it defines a violation of the Eighth Commandment (Exodus 20:15). It underscores the biblical view of property and personhood as sacred, with theft treated as a sin against God and community. In the Prophets and Psalms, 'thief' can symbolize covenant unfaithfulness and moral corruption (e.g., Jeremiah 7:9-11). Understanding גַּנָּב enriches reading of texts about justice, restitution, and the heart's deceitfulness.
In ancient Israel, theft was a serious economic and social offense. Unlike a robber (פָּרִיץ, pārîṣ) who might use violence, a גַּנָּב operated secretly, breaching trust. Laws in Exodus 22 required multiple restitution, showing the value placed on restoring community harmony. Kidnapping (Deuteronomy 24:7) was a capital crime, reflecting the high worth of personal freedom. The cultural emphasis was on protecting the vulnerable from covert exploitation.
פָּרִיץ (pārîṣ, H6530) — a robber or violent plunderer who uses open force. לֵץ (lēṣ, H3887) — a scoffer or mocker, sometimes associated with wicked behavior but not specifically theft. כָּזַב (kāzab, H3576) — to lie or deceive, sharing the concept of deceit but not the act of taking property.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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