### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Kᵉnaʻan**, represented by `{{H3667}}`, holds a complex meaning as a person, a place, and a term for commerce. It appears **94 times** in **91 unique verses**. Its base definition is **humiliated; Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him; Canaan, merchant, traffick**. The word's usage is split between the identity of a specific man, the vast geographical region promised to Israel, and a descriptor for traders.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H3667}}` is used in three primary contexts. As a person, **Kᵉnaʻan** is the son of Ham [[Genesis 9:18]] who is cursed by Noah to be a "servant of servants" [[Genesis 9:25]]. As a geographical location, "the land of **Canaan**" is the primary setting for the patriarchal narratives and the destination of the Israelites after the exodus from Egypt [[Genesis 12:5]]. God promises this land to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession [[Genesis 17:8]]. Lastly, the word is used metaphorically to mean **merchant** or **traffick**. Prophets use this term to describe a people given over to commerce, sometimes with a negative connotation of deceit [[Hosea 12:7]] or as a target of judgment [[Isaiah 23:11]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which **Kᵉnaʻan** appears:
* `{{H776}}` **ʼerets** (land): This word is almost inseparable from **Canaan**, frequently appearing in the phrase "the land of **Canaan**" [[Genesis 13:12]]. It defines the physical territory that is central to God's covenant promises.
* `{{H5650}}` **ʻebed** (servant): This term is directly linked to the personal identity of **Canaan** in the curse pronounced by Noah, where it is declared that **Canaan** shall be a **servant** to his brethren ([[Genesis 9:25]], [[Genesis 9:26]]).
* `{{H5503}}` **çâchar** (merchant(-man), traffick): This word highlights the commercial dimension of `{{H3667}}`. In Isaiah's prophecy against Tyre, its **merchants** `{{H5503}}` and **traffickers** `{{H3667}}` are mentioned together, showing the interchangeability of the terms in a commercial context [[Isaiah 23:8]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H3667}}` is significant, touching on themes of covenant, judgment, and promise.
* **The Promised Land:** The land of **Canaan** is the tangible symbol of God's covenant with Israel. It is repeatedly described as the land God gives to his people as an inheritance and possession ([[Exodus 6:4]], [[Leviticus 25:38]], [[Psalms 105:11]]).
* **Worldly Opposition:** The people and practices of **Canaan** often represent the worldliness that Israel is commanded to reject. The Lord specifically warns them not to follow the "doings of the land of **Canaan**" [[Leviticus 18:3]]. The kings of **Canaan** are depicted as adversaries to be subdued [[Judges 4:23]].
* **Prophetic Curse and Lineage:** The narrative begins with **Canaan** the person, establishing a lineage that is set apart by a prophetic curse [[Genesis 9:25]]. This event provides a foundational context for the subsequent conflicts and relationships between the inhabitants of **Canaan** and the children of Israel.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3667}}` is a multifaceted term that transcends a single definition. It identifies a specific ancestor and his descendants, designates the geographical centerpiece of God's promises to Israel, and serves as a label for merchants and traffickers. The word **Kᵉnaʻan** thus operates at the intersection of genealogy, geography, and theology, representing both the divine promise of inheritance and the human opposition to God's purposes.
TRV