2581. Kananaios

Lexicon

Kananaios: Cananaean, Zealot

Original Word: Κανανίτης
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Kananaios
Pronunciation: kah-nah-NAH-yos
Phonetic Spelling: (kan-an-ee'-tace)
Definition: Cananaean, Zealot
Meaning: a Canaanite.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Canaanite.

Of Chaldee origin (compare qanna'); zealous; Cananites, an epithet -- Canaanite (by mistake for a derivative from Chanaan).

see GREEK Chanaan

see HEBREW qanna'

HELPS Word-studies

2581 Kananítēs – properly, a Canaanite (a Canaanean); used of one of the twelve apostles because he was an adherent of the Zealots – "Simon the Canaanite (Mt 10: 4; Mk 3:18).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Aramaic origin
Definition
Cananaean, Aramaic for Zealot, surname of one of the twelve apostles
NASB Translation
Zealot (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2581: Κανανίτης

Κανανίτης, Κανανιτου, ὁ (from Chaldean קַנְאָן, Hebrew קָנָא), equivalent to ὁ ζηλωτής (according to the interpr. of Luke in , Acts 1:13), which see, the Zealot, a surname of the apostle Simon R G (the latter with a small kappa κ') in Matthew 10:4 and Mark 3:18.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Hebrew word כְּנַעֲנִי (Kena'ani), meaning "Canaanite."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H3669: כְּנַעֲנִי (Kena'ani) • Canaanite, referring to the inhabitants of Canaan, the land promised to the descendants of Abraham. This term is used throughout the Old Testament to describe the people living in the region prior to the Israelite conquest.

Usage: The term appears in the New Testament to identify Simon the Zealot, distinguishing him from Simon Peter. It is used in the following passages:
• Matthew 10:4: "Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him."
• Mark 3:18: "Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot."

Context: The term Κανανίτης is used in the New Testament to refer to Simon the Zealot, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The designation "Zealot" (Κανανίτης) is often interpreted as a reference to his previous association with the Zealots, a Jewish political movement known for its fervent opposition to Roman rule in Judea. This identification highlights Simon's passionate and zealous nature, which he redirected towards the mission of spreading the Gospel after becoming a follower of Christ.

The use of Κανανίτης in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark serves to distinguish Simon from Simon Peter, another of Jesus' apostles. The term underscores the diversity among Jesus' followers, who came from various backgrounds and walks of life, yet were united in their commitment to His teachings.

Simon the Zealot's transformation from a political revolutionary to a devoted apostle exemplifies the transformative power of Jesus' message. His inclusion among the apostles demonstrates the inclusivity of Jesus' call, extending to individuals from all sectors of society, including those with radical pasts.

Forms and Transliterations

Καναναιον Καναναῖον Καναναιος Καναναῖος Kananaion Kananaîon Kananaios Kananaîos

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 10:4 N-NMS
GRK: Σίμων ὁ Καναναῖος καὶ Ἰούδας
NAS: Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot,
KJV: Simon the Canaanite, and Judas
INT: Simon the Zealot and Judas

Mark 3:18 N-AMS
GRK: Σίμωνα τὸν Καναναῖον
NAS: and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot;
KJV: and Simon the Canaanite,
INT: Simon the Zealot

Strong's Greek 2581
2 Occurrences

Καναναῖον — 1 Occ.
Καναναῖος — 1 Occ.