from קָנָה; possession; Kenath, a place East of the Jordan; Kenath.
Transliteration:Qᵉnâth
Pronunciation:ken-awth'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma קְנָת (Qᵉnâth, `{{H7079}}`) is a proper noun, specifically the name of a geographical location. Its etymological root is the verb קָנָה (qanah, `{{H7069}}`), which carries a rich semantic range encompassing "to acquire," "to buy," "to possess," and in certain theological contexts, "to create." Therefore, the name "Kenath" inherently signifies "possession" or "a place of acquisition/possession." While it denotes a specific town, its name reflects the concept of ownership, likely acquired through settlement, purchase, or conquest.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Kenath (קְנָת, `{{H7079}}`) appears in the Hebrew Bible in the context of the Israelite conquest and settlement of the Transjordanian territories.
Its primary mention is in [[Numbers 32:42]], where it is recorded that "Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages and called it Nobah, after his own name." This verse details the conquest of Kenath by Nobah, a Manassite, and its subsequent renaming. This act of renaming is significant, as it signifies a complete transfer of ownership and identity, reinforcing the root meaning of "possession" – the town was acquired and then renamed by its new possessor as a mark of his claim.
A later reference is found in [[1 Chronicles 2:23]], which states, "Geshur and Aram took from them Havvoth-jair, Kenath and its villages, sixty cities." This verse appears to describe a subsequent period where Kenath (or Nobah, its renamed form) was itself taken from the Manassites by other regional powers, namely Geshur and Aram. This highlights the dynamic and often contested nature of land possession in the ancient Near East, where control over strategic locations frequently changed hands.
Geographically, Kenath was situated east of the Jordan River, in the region of Bashan, within the territory allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh. Its strategic location likely contributed to its repeated conquest and changes in ownership.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is the verbal root קָנָה (qanah, `{{H7069}}`), from which קְנָת is derived. This root is multifaceted:
* **Acquisition/Possession:** It is frequently used to describe the act of acquiring property, goods, or even people, as seen in [[Genesis 4:1]] (Cain's birth, "I have gotten/acquired a man with the help of the LORD") or [[Proverbs 4:7]] ("Get wisdom; get understanding").
* **Creation:** In theological contexts, קָנָה can refer to God's act of creation, as in [[Genesis 14:19]] ("Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor/Creator of heaven and earth") or [[Deuteronomy 32:6]] ("Is not He your Father, who bought you? He made you and established you?"). This connection elevates the concept of possession to divine sovereignty.
Other related terms include concepts of "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah, `{{H5159}}`), "property" (רְכוּשׁ, rekush, `{{H7399}}`), and "territory" (גְּבוּל, gevul, `{{H1366}}`), all of which are intrinsically linked to the idea of "possession" as embodied in the name Kenath. The act of renaming, as seen with Kenath becoming Nobah, is also a significant related concept in the Bible, often signifying a new claim of ownership, a new identity, or an assertion of authority.
### Theological Significance
While קְנָת (Kenath) is a geographical proper noun, its etymological connection to קָנָה (`{{H7069}}`) offers avenues for theological reflection.
* The root קָנָה profoundly highlights the concept of **divine ownership and sovereignty**. If God is the "Possessor/Creator of heaven and earth" ([[Genesis 14:19]]), then all land, including Kenath, ultimately belongs to Him. Human possession, therefore, is always a form of stewardship under God's ultimate authority.
* The biblical accounts of Kenath's repeated conquest and renaming ([[Numbers 32:42]], [[1 Chronicles 2:23]]) serve as a historical illustration of the transient and often precarious nature of human possession. What is "acquired" by one group can be "taken" by another. This stands in stark contrast to God's eternal, unassailable, and absolute possession.
* For the Israelites, the land of Canaan (and by extension, the Transjordanian territories like Kenath) was a divine gift, an "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, `{{H5159}}`) from God. Their "possession" of this land was conditional upon their faithfulness to the covenant. The historical shifts of control over Kenath could subtly underscore the precariousness of their hold on the land when they deviated from God's will, reminding them that their ultimate security lay in their relationship with the divine Possessor.
### Summary
The Hebrew word קְנָת (Qᵉnâth, `{{H7079}}`) is a proper noun designating a town situated east of the Jordan River, within the tribal allotment of Manasseh. Its name derives from the verbal root קָנָה (`{{H7069}}`), meaning "to acquire" or "to possess," thus signifying "possession" or "a place that has been acquired." Biblically, Kenath is notable for its conquest by Nobah, a Manassite, who subsequently renamed it after himself, as recorded in [[Numbers 32:42]], a clear demonstration of asserting new ownership. Later, [[1 Chronicles 2:23]] indicates that it, along with other cities, was taken from the Manassites by Geshur and Aram, illustrating the fluid and often contested nature of human territorial control in the ancient world. Theologically, while Kenath itself does not carry direct theological statements, its etymological root קָנָה points to the profound concept of God's ultimate ownership and creative power, providing a stark contrast to the temporary and often challenged nature of human "possession" over land. The history of Kenath thus serves as a subtle reminder that all earthly possessions are ultimately under the sovereign hand of God.
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