כָּנַע
Properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate , vanquish
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does כָּנַע (kānaʿ) mean in the Bible?
כָּנַע (kānaʿ) is a Hebrew word meaning "properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate , vanquish". properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish BDB: be humble Usage: bring down (low), into subjection, under, humble (self), subdue.
Meaning
Physical submission (bending knee) becomes metaphor for total defeat, subjugation, and humiliation in warfare and covenant contexts.
properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish BDB: be humble Usage: bring down (low), into subjection, under, humble (self), subdue.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 8×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 3×
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Showing 8 of 36 occurrences in the biblical text.