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כָּנָה

𐤊𐤍𐤄

kânâh

H3655 verb

SILEX Entry

Root כנה to address, to give a title, to assign an honorary name

Definition

To address or refer to someone by an additional or honorary name, title, or epithet, especially as a mark of respect, distinction, or flattery. The verb often carries the nuance of conferring an honorary name or praising someone through a laudatory title, whether sincerely or with sycophantic intent. Though relatively rare, its use indicates an act of naming that elevates status, whether by descent, reputation, or honor.

Semantic Range

to give an honorary or distinguishing name, to eulogize, to assign an epithet, to flatter by naming, to bestow a surname or title, to label with distinction

Root / Etymology

From the root כָּנָה (כ-נ-ה), which as a verb means 'to address with an honorary name or title.' Not to be confused with בָּנָה (to build), despite some ancient scribal confusion. The derivation is straightforward as a denominative verb arising from contexts of name/title granting. No known cognates in other Semitic languages; etymology within Biblical Hebrew is clear from context.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used only in later biblical literature (notably in the book of Job, e.g., Job 32:21-22), where it denotes addressing or labeling someone with a special or honorary name, often with an implication of excessive praise or flattery toward social superiors. The action can be seen positively as honoring or negatively as courtly flattery. English translations—particularly those using 'give flattering titles'—may emphasize the pejorative, but the core meaning relates simply to the bestowal of an additional name or title. Unlike more common roots for naming (שֵׁם), כָּנָה focuses on the act of giving a second or honorary name, not mere identification. In related Aramaic (see Daniel 5:12), this action may relate to titles or renaming upon promotion or religious appointment. In post-biblical usage, the notion persists in the giving of surnames or descriptive epithets. The term does not imply ethnic, religious, or geographic identity, but rather reflects a social or hierarchical relationship.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to address by an additional name; hence, to eulogize; give flattering titles, surname (himself).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כנה (k-n-h) — to address, to give a title, to assign an honorary name

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3674 כְּנָת his fellow-officials

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H3655-01 אֲכַנֶּֽה akhaneh HVpi1cs I flatter I will confer a title I flatter 2
H3655-03 יְכַנֶּֽה yekhaneh HVpi3ms will surname he will bestow a title he will bestow a title 1
H3655-02 אֲכַנְּ/ךָ֖ akhanekha HVpi1cs/Sp2ms I surnamed you I will title you I surnamed you 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H3655-03 Isaiah 44:5 יְכַנֶּֽה yekhaneh HVpi3ms will surname he will bestow a title he will bestow a title
H3655-02 Isaiah 45:4 אֲכַנְּ/ךָ֖ akhanekha HVpi1cs/Sp2ms I surnamed you I will title you I surnamed you
H3655-01 Job 32:21 אֲכַנֶּֽה akhaneh HVpi1cs I flatter I will confer a title I flatter
H3655-01 Job 32:22 אֲכַנֶּ֑ה akhaneh HVpi1cs to flatter I will confer a title I will flatter
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