"a Canaanite, Mt. 10:4; Mk. 3:18*"
Definition and meaning
a Canaanite, Mt. 10:4; Mk. 3:18*
In the original Greek the word is written: Καναναῖος
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of kananaios (G2580) across the King James Bible.
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
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Common questions
Strong's G2580 (kananaios) is a Greek word that means: a Canaanite, Mt. 10:4; Mk. 3:18* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word kananaios (G2580) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2580 is kananaios, a Greek word defined as: a Canaanite, Mt. 10:4; Mk. 3:18*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kananaios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.