H3665 כָּנַע kânaʻ → Root

4 languages

Root of the כנע family (5 members).

To be or become low, humble, or subdued; to bring into submission or to humble oneself or another, whether through inward disposition or external circumstances. The term encompasses both voluntary humility and enforced subjugation. In some contexts it indicates the experience of being humbled by defeat, oppression, or circumstances, while in others it expresses the action of humbling oneself, either ritually, in prayer, or morally.

Etymology Derived from the root כנע, which in its basic sense conveys the idea of being bowed down, made low, or brought into subjection. The physical imagery is of bending, stooping, or submitting. The root itself likely denotes curvature or the state of being lowered; from this core meaning, the verb developed senses of submission, subordination, and humility. The broader Northwest Semitic context shows similar developments, with related terms in Ugaritic and Aramaic conveying lowliness or defeat.
Language Word Meaning Segmentation Root
Ndebele khonza to worship, pay homage -khonz-
Swati khonta/khonza to give allegiance, pay homage, worship, submit (to a chief or god) -khonz-
Xhosa khonza to worship, pay homage, show submission (to a chief, god, etc.) -khonz-
Zulu khonza to worship, revere, pay homage -khonz-

Family members (4)

Lexemes that inherit from this canonical via the SilexRoot family or an additional inheritance edge. Tags show the cognate-propagation status.

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