כָּנַן
𐤊𐤍𐤍
kânan
H3661
SILEX Entry
Definition
To plant or establish (typically of plants, trees, or vineyards); to set in the ground so as to take root and grow. In most biblical contexts, the verb denotes the agricultural act of planting vines, trees, or gardens, signifying the beginning of cultivation or agricultural activity. The term can also carry the nuance of founding or initiating growth.
Semantic Range
to plant (vines or trees), to set out (a vineyard), to establish (by planting); of initial agricultural action, deliberate planting as foundation, sometimes by extension to other forms of establishment
Root / Etymology
Root כָּנַן (K-N-N), which broadly means 'to plant, set, establish (plants/vines)'. The verb כָּנַן is a denominative from a Semitic root attested in related languages (e.g., Aramaic; cf. Syriac, Arabic) also carrying meanings of planting or tending. It is distinct from other Hebrew roots spelled identically or near-identically. Its primary sense in Hebrew is agricultural: physically setting plants or vines in prepared soil.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Predominantly used in contexts involving the establishment of vineyards in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Genesis 9:20), but is rare compared to other agricultural verbs like נָטַע (nata‘, 'to plant') or שָׁתַל (shatal, 'to transplant'). The use of כָּנַן carries an element of intentionality and beginning growth; it is not limited to wild growth but to deliberate human action. In the patriarchal and monarchic periods, planting a vineyard was significant for establishing family estates, inheritance, and long-term agricultural stability. By the post-exilic period, vineyard planting remained symbolically important for reestablishing life in the land. English Bible translations often render the verb as 'plant' (especially in relation to vineyards), but sometimes obscure its nuance by not distinguishing it from other, more common planting verbs. Unlike 'nata‘', כָּנַן is more narrowly focused on the initial establishment, especially of vines, though by extension can apply to other plants. The ancient versions (LXX, Vulgate) reflect this nuance in their renderings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to set out, i.e. plant; [idiom] vineyard.
Bantu Hebrew
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Occurrences in Scripture
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