קַנָּא

The Hebrew word "qan.na" (Strong's number: H7067) is defined as "jealous" with 5 occurrences in the Bible. As an emotion and attitude, "jealous" in this context means to have a strong sense of rivalry or competition, often driven by a desire for something or someone. The root of this emotion is a sense of insecurity or threat, prompting the person to become overly concerned with losing their possession or status. The word "qan.na" appears in various contexts, revealing its complexities. It can describe a god's response to humans' idolatry (e.g., God's jealousy in Hosea 8:14), human behavior towards their partners (e.g., a husband's jealousy in Proverbs 6:34), and even divine judgment (e.g., God's jealousy as a reason for exile in Ezekiel 16:38). The 5 occurrences suggest it is not a commonly used word in the Hebrew Bible, implying its significance lies in specific narrative contexts. Given its definition and range of usage, "qan.na" highlights the multifaceted nature of jealousy as a human emotion. In the Bible, it can manifest as a positive, protective instinct, or a negative, destructive force, often influencing relationships and consequences.