כָּנַס
to collect; hence, to enfold
Definition
The Hebrew verb כָּנַס (kânaç) primarily means 'to gather' or 'to collect' things together into one place. In its most common sense, it refers to the physical gathering of materials, as seen when David gathered (כָּנַס) resident aliens to prepare stone for the temple (1 Chronicles 22:2). It can also describe gathering people, such as the assembly of Jews in Esther 4:16. A more nuanced meaning is 'to heap up' or 'to store,' often in the context of accumulating wealth or resources, as Solomon did with silver and gold (Ecclesiastes 2:8). In a few poetic instances, like Psalm 33:7, it describes gathering the waters of the sea, conveying God's sovereign control over creation.
Biblical Usage
כָּנַס is used 11 times in the Old Testament, appearing in historical, poetic, and wisdom literature. Its usage is straightforward, most frequently denoting the act of collecting physical objects or people. In Chronicles and Nehemiah, it describes gathering materials or contributions for religious purposes (1 Chronicles 22:2, Nehemiah 12:44). In Ecclesiastes, it is used metaphorically for the futile accumulation of wealth and possessions (Ecclesiastes 2:8, 2:26). The verb also appears in poetic descriptions of God's creative power, gathering the seas (Psalm 33:7) or gathering the outcasts of Israel (Psalm 147:2).
Etymology
כָּנַס is considered a primitive root in Hebrew. Its core meaning relates to drawing or bringing together. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Aramaic and Syriac, with similar meanings of 'to gather' or 'to collect.' The development of its meaning from the basic 'to gather' to include 'to heap up' and, in one instance (Esther 4:16), the reflexive 'to wrap oneself,' shows a semantic extension from collecting external objects to an action performed upon oneself.
Semantic Range
While not a primary theological term, כָּנַס contributes to important biblical themes. It highlights God's sovereignty as the one who gathers the waters at creation (Psalm 33:7) and who gathers his scattered people, a key promise of restoration (Psalm 147:2). In Ecclesiastes, its use for heaping up possessions underscores the book's theme of the vanity of human labor apart from God. Understanding this Hebrew word enriches reading by connecting the simple act of gathering to broader narratives of God's provision, human stewardship, and the futility of materialism.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, gathering was a fundamental economic and communal activity. Gathering materials for building projects, like the temple, was a national and religious undertaking. The gathering of people, as in Esther, was crucial for community identity and survival. The concept of 'heaping up' wealth, as in Ecclesiastes, reflects a common cultural pursuit, but the biblical wisdom literature critiques this from a divine perspective, contrasting it with the gift of God's favor (Ecclesiastes 2:26).
אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — A more frequent and general term for gathering, often used for gathering people or harvest; can also mean 'to remove.' קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — Also means to gather or assemble, often used for mustering people or gathering an assembly; sometimes has a more formal or congregational sense.
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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