Envy Word Study

This is a simple word study on Envy that Pastor Garver encouraged me to do.

  1. Hebrew
    1. קנא (Verb: 7065) — Jealousy (esp. of a husband), ardor of religious zeal, ardor of anger.
      1. Translated Jealousy 15 times.
      2. Translated Envy 13 times.
      3. Translated Zealous 3 times: Numbers 25:11, 13; 2 Samuel 21:2
        1. This seems to be fervent energy or purpose driven out of loyalty or love for someone.
      4. Translated Very twice: 1 Kings 19:10, 14
    2. קנאה (Noun: 7068) — Noun form of 7065
      1. Translated Jealousy 25 times.
      2. Translated Envy 8 times.
      3. Translated for my sake once: Numbers 25:11
      4. Translated Zeal 9 times: Numbers 25:11; 2 Kings 10:16; 2 Kings 19:31; Psalms 69:9; Psalms 119:139; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 37:32; Isaiah 59:17; Isaiah 63:15; Ezekiel 5:13
    3. Usage when translated as Jealousy
      1. A husband is jealous that his wife may have have cheated on him: Numbers 5:14, 15, 18, 25, 29, 30
        1. Jealousy over an adulterous wife is an unquenchable wrath: Proverbs 6:34; Song of Songs 8:6
      2. God jealous over his adulterous Israel: Numbers 25:11; Deuteronomy 32:16, 21; Deuteronomy 29:20 (See Deuteronomy 29:13); 1 Kings 14:22; Psalms 78:58; Psalms 79:5; Ezekiel 8:3, 5; Ezekiel 16:38, 42; Ezekiel 23:25
        1. This is very close to anger or wrath. It may be best to call it wrath for a specific reason.
          1. Psalms 78:58, 59 For they provoked him to anger, and moved him to jealousy ...When God heard [this], he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel
        2. Or angry over the sins of all His creation: Zephaniah 1:18; Zephaniah 3:8
      3. God's jealousy or anger against those who have harmed His Israel: Ezekiel 36:5, 6; 38:19; Joel 2:18; Zechariah 1:14; Zechariah 8:2
        1. Or jealous to defend His own glory: Ezekiel 39:25
      4. Unquenchable anger (unrelated to adultery): Isaiah 42:13
    4. Usage when translated as Envy
      1. The effects and properties of Envy
        1. Envy leads to destruction: Job 5:2; Proverbs 14:30
        2. Envy is unquenchable: Proverbs 27:4 (see similar usage translated jealousy in Isaiah 42:13)
        3. A passion: Ecclesiastes 9:6
      2. Anger at the man who does right: Ecclesiastes 4:4; Isaiah 26:11
        1. Ezekiel 35:11 — This could simply be envy of wealth or envy that Israel was God's chosen people. I would argue for the later for the following reasons:
          1. The usage of envy/jealousy (7068) elsewhere supports the idea of anger over the righteousness or preference of another.
          2. This is a prophecy against the Edomites, the descendants of Esau (Genesis 25:30). The strife between Esau and Jacob was always over favor and blessing.
          3. Ezekiel 35:5Thou hast had a perpetual hatred ... [of] the children of Israel. This is not an issue of simply wanting Israel's land or wealth.
      3. Hate someone because they are wealthier or have something you don't: Genesis 26:14; Genesis 30:1
        1. Envy between brothers: Genesis 37:11; Isaiah 11:13
        2. Envy of influence or power: Numbers 11:29; Psalms 106:16
        3. Envy of beauty: Ezekiel 31:9
        4. Envy the unrighteous: Psalms 37:1; Psalms 73:3; Proverbs 3:31; Proverbs 23:17; Proverbs 24:1, 19
        5. Based on the usage of this word elsewhere, I don't think this is a mild, Oh, I wish I had what they had but rather a passionate or consuming desire for what they have.
    5. Lessons — This word represents a powerful passion.
      1. When God is jealous of His people's adultery with idols it is a terrible thing.
      2. When God is jealous to protect His people, He moves with great power and love.
      3. When the OT talks about people being zealous for the Lord, it is an extreme love and dedication to God.
      4. Envy of the wicked is also a powerful and destructive emotion, not just a little issue.
        1. Psalms 73:2, 3 My feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish.
  2. Greek
    1. 5355, 2206, 2205