Qinʾah (H7068) covers a spectrum of intense passion: from God's holy jealousy for his people (protective, exclusive devotion), to human zeal for God's honor (Phinehas, Elijah), to sinful envy (Saul's envy of David). The root qanaʾ (H7065) describes the reddening face of intense passion.
God's jealousy (qinʾah) is not petty — it is the fierce exclusivity of covenant love. The divine name is 'Jealous' (Exodus 34:14). A God who is jealous will not share his glory with idols or allow his people to belong to another. Positively, the zeal of the LORD of hosts accomplishes salvation (Isaiah 9:7; 37:32). Phinehas's zeal (Numbers 25:11) and Elijah's zeal (1 Kings 19:10, 14) mirror divine jealousy for covenant faithfulness.