נָאַר
to reject
Definition
The Hebrew verb נָאַר (nâʼar) means to reject, spurn, or cast off, often with a sense of strong disapproval or renunciation. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes God's decisive rejection of something or someone, specifically in the context of covenant relationship. In Psalm 89:39, it refers to God rejecting and renouncing His covenant with King David, a profound act of judgment. In Lamentations 2:7, it describes the Lord rejecting His altar and sanctuary, spurning His own place of worship due to the people's sin.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only twice in the Old Testament, both in poetic books (Psalms and Lamentations) and in contexts of divine judgment. It is employed to describe God's ultimate rejection of sacred institutions—the Davidic covenant and the temple worship—as a consequence of severe national unfaithfulness. The usage underscores a formal, solemn, and devastating act of disavowal by God.
Etymology
נָאַר is a primitive root. Its core meaning relates to rejecting or despising. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Arabic, support the sense of 'to deny' or 'to refuse'. The word's development emphasizes a deliberate and often public act of renunciation.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it portrays the severe consequence of covenant-breaking. It highlights a tension in God's character between steadfast love and righteous judgment. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Psalm 89 and Lamentations by conveying the shocking gravity of God's action—rejecting what He Himself had established—and thus underscores the seriousness of sin against a holy God.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, a covenant was a sacred, binding agreement. For a sovereign to 'reject' (nâʼar) a covenant or a sanctuary was an act of ultimate dissolution and dishonor, signaling a complete breakdown in relationship. This carried far greater weight than a simple personal dislike.
מָאַס (mâʼas, H3988) — a more general term for reject or despise, often used for people or things. זָנַח (zânach, H2186) — to cast off or forsake, frequently used of God rejecting His people. גָּעַל (gâʻal, H1602) — to abhor, loathe, or reject with disgust.
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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