מִנְּזָר
a prince
Definition
The Hebrew noun מִנְּזָר (minnᵉzâr) refers to a 'prince' or 'ruler,' specifically one who is crowned or set apart. It derives from the root meaning 'to separate' or 'to consecrate,' suggesting a leader with a distinct, elevated status. In its sole biblical occurrence in Nahum 3:17, it is used metaphorically to describe the 'princes' or 'officials' of Nineveh, who are compared to locusts that flee when the sun rises, highlighting their transience and inability to provide lasting protection.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Nahum 3:17. Here, it is used in a prophetic taunt against Nineveh, describing its leaders (מִנְּזָרֶיךָ, 'your princes') as fleeting and unreliable, like locusts that scatter. The context is one of judgment, emphasizing the weakness and impermanence of human rulership in contrast to God's sovereign power.
Etymology
מִנְּזָר is derived from the root נָזַר (nāzar, H5144), which means 'to separate,' 'to dedicate,' or 'to consecrate.' This root is also the source for the word נָזִיר (nāzîr, 'Nazirite'), someone set apart for God. Thus, מִנְּזָר carries the sense of a 'separated one' or 'consecrated ruler,' implying a leader who holds a distinct, appointed office.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word subtly reinforces the biblical theme that human authority is derivative and temporary. In Nahum 3:17, the 'princes' of a mighty empire are portrayed as utterly fragile, scattering at the slightest threat. This contrasts with the eternal, unshakable kingship of God (Psalm 10:16). Understanding its root meaning—'set apart'—also hints that true, lasting leadership is found only in consecration to God's purposes.
In the ancient Near East, a 'prince' (מִנְּזָר) would have been understood as a high-ranking official or military commander, often with royal or delegated authority. The term's connection to consecration may reflect the idea that rulers were sometimes viewed as divinely appointed or set apart for their roles. Nahum's metaphor of locusts would have been a vivid, culturally understood image of a swarm that is formidable in mass but individually weak and quick to disperse.
נָגִיד (nāgîd, H5057) — a leader, commander, or ruler, often one appointed by God (e.g., 1 Samuel 9:16). שַׂר (śar, H8269) — a chief, official, or prince, used broadly for military and civil leaders (e.g., Genesis 12:15).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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