כָּנַס

kânaç /kaw-nas'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto collect; hence, to enfold
KJV usagegather (together), heap up, wrap self.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word kânaç, represented by H3664, is a primitive root meaning to collect, enfold, gather (together), heap up, or wrap self. It appears 12 times across 11 unique verses, illustrating its use in contexts of both divine action and human activity, from assembling people to accumulating resources.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H3664 describes various forms of collection. It is used for the gathering of people, whether for a sacred fast as commanded by Esther Esther 4:16, or by God Himself to restore the outcasts of Israel Psalms 147:2 and bring them back from captivity Ezekiel 39:28. The term also applies to the accumulation of material things, such as when Solomon gathered silver and gold Ecclesiastes 2:8 or when tithes were gathered for the Levites Nehemiah 12:44. In a different sense, it can mean to wrap oneself, as when a covering is too narrow to wrap oneself in Isaiah 28:20.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a broader context for the concept of gathering:

  • H622 ʼâçaph (to gather for any purpose): This is a close synonym used alongside H3664 to describe the sinner's work to gather and heap up wealth that God ultimately gives to the righteous Ecclesiastes 2:26.
  • H1760 dâchâh (to push down; ... outcast): This word identifies the subjects of God's redemptive gathering, as the Lord gathereth together the outcasts of Israel Psalms 147:2.
  • H7993 shâlak (to throw out, down or away): This verb serves as a direct antonym in the well-known passage describing a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together Ecclesiastes 3:5.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3664 is demonstrated in its application to God's sovereign acts.

  • Divine Restoration: A central theme is God's faithfulness to His people. He promises to gather them from captivity Ezekiel 39:28 and to gathereth together the outcasts of Israel Psalms 147:2, signifying national and spiritual restoration.
  • Sovereign Judgment: The act of gathering is also an instrument of divine wrath. God warns that He will gather people into the fire of His anger to be judged Ezekiel 22:21.
  • Creative Power: The term highlights God's authority over the natural world, as He "gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap" Psalms 33:7, demonstrating his role as Creator.
  • Sacred Assembly: Humans are also called to gather for holy purposes, such as when the Jews assembled to fast and seek God's intervention Esther 4:16.

Summary

In summary, H3664 is a dynamic word that signifies more than simple collection. It portrays the sovereign power of God to assemble His people for both redemption and judgment, to control the elements of creation, and to orchestrate the flow of resources. Whether referring to stones, wealth, or nations, kânaç illustrates a divine and human action of bringing together for a specific, often profound, purpose.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Infinitive Construct 4×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 1st Singular common gender 2×
  • Hithpael Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 11 verses across 7 books. Most frequent in Ecclesiastes (3 verses).

1
1 Chronicles
1
Nehemiah
1
Esther
2
Psalms
3
Ecclesiastes
1
Isaiah
2
Ezekiel

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