a primitive root; to collect; hence, to enfold; gather (together), heap up, wrap self.
Transliteration:kânaç
Pronunciation:kaw-nas'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root כָּנַס (kânaç), Strong's `{{H3664}}`, is a primitive root carrying the core meaning of "to collect" or "to gather." Its semantic range extends from the literal act of bringing disparate elements together to more nuanced applications involving accumulation, enclosure, or concentration. The definition "to enfold" suggests a comprehensive or protective gathering, a drawing inward. This root can describe the act of "gathering together" individuals or objects, "heaping up" materials, or even "wrapping oneself" in something, which is a reflexive application of the core concept of drawing something around oneself. The fundamental emphasis remains on the act of unifying or consolidating into a cohesive mass or group.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root כָּנַס (kânaç) appears in various contexts within the Hebrew Bible, illustrating its semantic breadth:
* **Gathering of People:**
* In [[Exodus 15:15]], the inhabitants of Philistia are described as "gathered" or "melting away" due to terror, implying a collective cowering or collapse.
* [[1 Samuel 14:47]] uses the term to describe Saul "gathering" an army, indicating the assembly of military forces for battle.
* A poignant usage is found in [[Esther 4:16]], where Esther instructs Mordecai to "gather" all the Jews in Susa for a three-day fast, highlighting a critical moment of communal solidarity and intercession. Similarly, [[Esther 9:15]] speaks of the Jews "gathering" themselves for self-defense.
* The phrase "gathered to his fathers" in [[2 Kings 22:20]] and [[2 Chronicles 34:28]] is a euphemism for death and burial, signifying a peaceful joining of one's ancestors in the afterlife.
* **Gathering of Objects/Resources:**
* [[Joshua 10:27]] describes the act of "gathering" the bodies of the five Amorite kings from a cave.
* [[Nehemiah 12:44]] refers to the "gathering" of contributions, tithes, and firstfruits into storerooms, emphasizing the accumulation and storage of resources.
* In [[Ecclesiastes 3:5]], the phrase "a time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones" illustrates the cyclical nature of life's activities, contrasting dispersal with collection.
* [[Ecclesiastes 2:26]] uses כָּנַס in the context of "heaping up" or accumulating wealth, often with a sense of futility when done by the wicked for the righteous.
* **Figurative or Abstract Gathering:**
* [[Ezekiel 21:32]] (Hebrew 21:37) uses the word in a more abstract sense, describing God's judgment that will "gather" (or "heap") the inhabitants of the land to their destruction, implying a collective demise under divine wrath.
Across these occurrences, כָּנַס consistently denotes the act of bringing together, whether literally or figuratively, into a unified or concentrated state.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "gathering" is expressed through several Hebrew roots, each with distinct nuances.
* `{{H622}}` (אָסַף, 'asaph): This is a very common word for "to gather," often used for harvesting, collecting people, or removing. While similar to כָּנַס, 'asaph can also imply "taking away" or "removing," which is less central to כָּנַס.
* `{{H6908}}` (קָבַץ, qavats): This root also means "to gather," frequently emphasizing the assembly of a dispersed group, particularly for national or military purposes, and often carries a strong connotation of restoration after scattering.
* `{{H6895}}` (קָצַר, qatsar): Specifically means "to reap" or "to gather" a harvest, limited to agricultural contexts.
While these terms overlap in the general sense of "gathering," כָּנַס often highlights the act of *collecting* or *accumulating*, sometimes with an emphasis on drawing inward or enclosing, as seen in "wrapping oneself" or "heaping up." It lacks the strong connotation of "dispersal and re-assembly" often found in `{{H6908}}` (qavats) or the broader "removal" aspect of `{{H622}}` ('asaph).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of כָּנַס (kânaç) unfolds through its diverse applications in the biblical narrative:
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Providence:** The "gathering" of an individual to their ancestors in death ([[2 Kings 22:20]]) reflects God's sovereign control over life and its peaceful end. Similarly, the "gathering" of a people for judgment ([[Ezekiel 21:32]]) underscores divine justice and the ultimate accountability of nations to God.
2. **Community, Unity, and Collective Action:** Perhaps the most potent theological implication lies in the call to "gather" God's people. Esther's directive to "gather all the Jews" ([[Esther 4:16]]) for a fast is a powerful testament to the importance of communal solidarity, unified prayer, and collective action in the face of existential threats. This act of gathering transcends mere physical assembly; it represents a spiritual and corporate act of seeking God's intervention, reflecting the biblical emphasis on the people of God as a unified body, called to stand together in faith and obedience.
3. **Stewardship and the Futility of Earthly Accumulation:** The use of כָּנַס in wisdom literature, particularly [[Ecclesiastes 2:26]], offers a profound theological commentary on human endeavor. "Heaping up" wealth without divine blessing is portrayed as a vain pursuit, ultimately leading to emptiness and being passed to others. This highlights a biblical critique of material accumulation as an end in itself, contrasting it with true wisdom and divine favor. The "time to gather stones" ([[Ecclesiastes 3:5]]) suggests that even mundane acts of collection are part of God's ordained seasons, implying a divine order to all human activity.
Thus, כָּנַס points to the power inherent in unity, whether for constructive or destructive purposes, and the overarching divine hand that orchestrates the gathering and dispersal of all things, from individual lives to the fates of nations, and from material possessions to spiritual destinies.
### Summary
The Hebrew root כָּנַס (kânaç), Strong's `{{H3664}}`, primarily signifies "to collect" or "to gather," encompassing actions of heaping up, enfolding, or drawing together. Its biblical occurrences range from the literal gathering of people for war or communal solidarity to the collection of physical objects and the accumulation of wealth. It also describes the peaceful passing of an individual to their ancestors and the collective demise of a people under divine judgment. While sharing semantic space with other Hebrew verbs for "gathering," כָּנַס often emphasizes the act of drawing inward, accumulating, or unifying. Theologically, this root underscores God's sovereignty over all events, the crucial importance of communal unity and corporate prayer among God's people, and the inherent futility of earthly accumulation apart from divine blessing. It serves as a reminder that all acts of gathering, whether human or divine, ultimately serve the purposes of the Almighty.
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