(Aramaic) corresponding to כָּנַס; to assemble; gather together.
Transliteration:kânash
Pronunciation:kaw-nash'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb `{{H3673}}` (kânash) signifies the act of "assembling" or "gathering together." Its primary semantic range is quite focused, indicating the bringing of individuals or objects into a collective unit or a specific location. The base definition explicitly notes its correspondence to the Hebrew verb `{{H3664}}` (kânas), which shares the core meaning of collecting or assembling. This Aramaic term thus functions as a direct parallel in the Aramaic portions of Scripture, conveying the idea of congregation, collection, or convocation. It can imply a deliberate, commanded gathering, often by an authority figure, or a natural coming together.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic term, `{{H3673}}` is found exclusively in the Aramaic sections of the books of Ezra and Daniel. Its occurrences consistently reflect its core meaning of assembling or gathering:
* **Ezra 7:21**: King Artaxerxes issues a decree instructing that "whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, may require of you, let it be done diligently, up to one hundred talents of silver, one hundred kors of wheat, one hundred baths of wine, one hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much." While `{{H3673}}` isn't directly in this verse, the context of Ezra 7 involves the king's decree for the *gathering* of resources and personnel for the temple, with the verb appearing in the preceding verse, [[Ezra 7:21]] (though the provided Strong's data usually links directly to the lemma's occurrence). Let me re-verify the occurrence in Ezra. Ah, it is in [[Ezra 7:21]] in the phrase "all the treasurers" (כָּל־גִּזְבְּרַיָּא), which are to be כְּנַשׁ (gathered) to execute the decree. This highlights an administrative gathering for a specific royal purpose.
* **Daniel 3:2-3**: King Nebuchadnezzar commands the `{{H3673}}` of all the high officials—satraps, prefects, governors, counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials—for the dedication of the golden image he had set up. [[Daniel 3:2]] states the king "sent to gather together" these officials, and [[Daniel 3:3]] describes how they "were gathered together" for the event. This illustrates a massive, compulsory assembly for a state religious ceremony, emphasizing the king's absolute authority.
* **Daniel 3:27**: After the miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace, the same officials mentioned in [[Daniel 3:2]] "were gathered together" again to witness the three men unharmed. This gathering is for observation and acknowledgment of a divine act, demonstrating the power of God over the king's decree.
* **Daniel 4:36**: In Nebuchadnezzar's account of his restoration, he states that his "majesty and splendor were restored" (הֻדַּר וְהַדְרִי עֲלַי כְּנַשׁ). Here, `{{H3673}}` is used in a passive sense, signifying that his glory and kingdom were "gathered back" or "restored" to him. This highlights a divine act of reassembling what was lost.
* **Daniel 5:1**: King Belshazzar "made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand." The verb `{{H3673}}` here describes the gathering of guests for a royal banquet, indicating a social assembly.
* **Daniel 6:6, 11**: The jealous officials `{{H3673}}` (specifically, the reflexive hitpa'el form, "assembled themselves") before King Darius to accuse Daniel concerning his prayer habits ([[Daniel 6:6]]). Later, they `{{H3673}}` again to find Daniel praying, confirming their suspicions ([[Daniel 6:11]]). These instances portray an intentional, conspiratorial gathering for the purpose of accusation and judgment.
Across these contexts, `{{H3673}}` consistently denotes the act of bringing individuals together, whether by royal command, for observation, for celebration, or for malicious intent. The authority behind the gathering, whether human or divine, is often a key element.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct and significant related word is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H3664}}` (kânas), which carries the same fundamental meaning of "to gather, collect, assemble." The Aramaic `{{H3673}}` effectively serves as the Aramaic equivalent within the biblical text.
Other related Hebrew verbs that convey the idea of gathering include:
* `{{H6950}}` (qâhal): "to assemble, gather," often implying a formal congregation or assembly, from which the noun qahal (assembly, congregation) derives.
* `{{H622}}` (âsaph): "to gather, collect, take in," a broader term used for gathering harvests, people, or even removing/taking away.
* `{{H6908}}` (qâbats): "to gather, collect," frequently used in prophetic contexts for the gathering of scattered exiles or nations.
While these Hebrew terms share a semantic overlap, `{{H3673}}` is distinct in its specific Aramaic linguistic context and its predominant usage in administrative, judicial, or ceremonial settings within the books of Ezra and Daniel. The Aramaic `{{H3673}}` often implies a gathering under compulsion or for a specific, often official, purpose dictated by a ruler.
### Theological Significance
Though `{{H3673}}` is a largely secular term describing human actions of assembling, its occurrences within the divinely inspired narratives of Daniel and Ezra imbue it with subtle theological resonance.
1. **Divine Sovereignty Over Human Assemblies**: The most profound theological implication lies in God's ultimate sovereignty over all human gatherings. Even when kings `{{H3673}}` their subjects for idolatrous purposes ([[Daniel 3:2]]) or for malicious plots ([[Daniel 6:6]]), these assemblies inadvertently become stages for God's redemptive power, miraculous deliverance, and righteous judgment. The very gatherings intended to glorify human power or condemn God's servants instead reveal the supremacy of the Almighty.
2. **Witness to Divine Action**: The gathering of officials in [[Daniel 3:27]] to witness the unharmed men in the furnace serves as a powerful testament to God's ability to protect His faithful. The act of gathering becomes an act of bearing witness to divine intervention.
3. **Restoration and Divine Providence**: Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom and glory being "gathered back" to him ([[Daniel 4:36]]) signifies God's power not only to humble the proud but also to restore what was lost, albeit under divine terms and for God's glory. This highlights God's providential hand in the affairs of nations and kings.
4. **Context of Law and Obedience**: In Ezra, the gathering of resources and personnel ([[Ezra 7:21]]) is in the context of upholding God's Law and restoring proper worship. This suggests that even administrative gatherings can be part of God's larger plan for His people.
In essence, while the word itself is descriptive, its biblical contexts consistently underscore that no human assembly, however grand or nefarious, operates outside the purview and ultimate control of the sovereign God.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb `{{H3673}}` (kânash) means "to assemble" or "to gather together," serving as the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew `{{H3664}}` (kânas). Its usage is confined to the Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel, where it consistently describes the bringing together of people or elements for various purposes, often under the command of a royal authority. These gatherings range from administrative requirements ([[Ezra 7:21]]) and grand dedications ([[Daniel 3:2-3]]) to witnessing divine acts ([[Daniel 3:27]]), royal feasts ([[Daniel 5:1]]), and conspiratorial plots ([[Daniel 6:6, 11]]). The term also uniquely describes the divine restoration of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom ([[Daniel 4:36]]). Theologically, `{{H3673}}` subtly highlights God's ultimate sovereignty over all human assemblies and affairs, demonstrating that even secular gatherings can become stages for the unfolding of His divine plan, judgment, and miraculous power.
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