Bible Dictionary
Cana
Cana of Galilee was the village where Jesus performed His first recorded miracle, changing water into wine at a wedding. It was also associated with another healing and was the home of Nathanael.
Definition
Cana of Galilee was a village or town in Galilee, near Capernaum. It was distinguished from Cana of Asher and was not mentioned in the Old Testament.
Biblical Usage
Cana was the setting of Jesus’ first recorded miracle, when He changed water into wine at a wedding. A subsequent healing also occurred there, and Nathanael was associated with the town.
Historical Background
Two principal locations have been proposed: Kana el-Jelil or Khurbet Kana north of Nazareth, and Kefr Kenna on the road toward the Sea of Galilee.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Reedy, a town of Galilee, near Capernaum. Here our Lord wrought his first miracle, the turning of water into wine (John 2:1-11; 4:46). It is also mentioned as the birth-place of Nathanael (21:2). It is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It has been identified with the modern Kana el-Jelil, also called Khurbet Kana, a place 8 or 9 miles north of Nazareth. Others have identified it with Kefr Kenna, which lies on the direct road to the Sea of Galilee, about 5 miles north-east of Nazareth, and 12 in a direct course from Tiberias. It is called “Cana of Galilee,” to distinguish it from Cana of Asher (Josh. 19:28).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(place of reeds) of Galilee, once Cana in Galilee, a village or town not far from Capernaum, memorable as the scene of Christ’s first miracle, (John 2:1,11; 4:46) as well as of a subsequent one, (John 4:46,54) and also as the native place of the apostle Nathanael. (John 21:2) The traditional site is at Kefr-Kenna, a small village about 4 1/2 miles northwest of Nazareth. The rival site is a village situated farther north, about five miles north of Seffurieh (Sepphoris) and nine north of Nazareth.