Κανανίτης
Kananítēs
G2581
SILEX Entry
Definition
An epithet meaning 'zealot' or 'zealous one'; in the New Testament used as a byname or designation for Simon, likely indicating affiliation with a group or faction marked by zeal or religious fervor. In some manuscripts confused with or mistaken for an ethnonym ('Canaanite'), but context and linguistic evidence support the meaning 'zealous'. The word refers to an attribute (zeal), not an ethnic or geographic identity.
Semantic Range
zealot; one characterized by zeal; member or associate of a zealous group; byname indicating religious or patriotic fervor; (misunderstood as) Canaanite (ethnic designation, by confusion in some traditions)
Root / Etymology
Derived from Aramaic קַנָּאַנָא (qan'ānā), meaning 'zealot' or 'one who is zealous,' related to the Semitic root ק-נ-א 'to be zealous, to be jealous.' Not etymologically related to Χαναναῖος ('Canaanite'). The similarity in form led to confusion in some early manuscripts and translations.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Synoptic Gospels (e.g., Matt 10:4; Mark 3:18), Κανανίτης designates Simon, distinguished from Simon Peter. The underlying Semitic term refers to 'the zealous one'—likely marking Simon’s association with a group characterized by zeal and possibly action, later known as the 'Zealots,' though the explicit political/militant group known in the later first century CE may not be fully anachronistic here. In some manuscript traditions and older translations (including the Latin Vulgate and the King James Version), the form was misread as 'Canaanite,' an ethnic-geographic label, due to visual and phonetic similarity to Χαναναῖος. This confusion does not reflect the term's use in first-century Judean or Israelite context. No evidence suggests reference to the people of Canaan. This label distinguishes Simon by temperament, religious devotion, or social affiliation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Chaldee origin (compare קַנָּא); zealous; Cananites, an epithet:--Canaanite (by mistake for a derivative from Χαναάν).
Root Family
καναν- (Kananítēs) — to be zealous, to display zeal
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.