נָדַח

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict

Definition

The Hebrew verb נָדַח (nâdach) fundamentally means 'to push off' or 'to thrust away,' but its usage extends across a wide spectrum of literal and figurative actions. In its most concrete sense, it describes the physical act of driving or chasing away, such as driving out an enemy (Deuteronomy 6:19) or chasing away livestock (Deuteronomy 22:1). Figuratively, it is powerfully used for the spiritual and social consequences of sin, describing how God's people can be 'driven' or 'banished' into exile as a judgment (Deuteronomy 30:1). A particularly significant usage involves the concept of being 'misled' or 'seduced' into idolatry, where individuals or towns are 'driven' to worship other gods (Deuteronomy 13:5, 13).

Biblical Usage

נָדַח is used 50 times in the Old Testament, with a strong concentration in Deuteronomy (over 20 occurrences), where it is central to the covenantal warnings. It appears in legal, prophetic, and historical contexts. In Deuteronomy, it describes the severe punishment for idolatry—being driven out or executed (Deuteronomy 13:5, 10). It also governs laws about lost property (Deuteronomy 22:1) and wartime conduct (Deuteronomy 20:19). In the Prophets, especially Jeremiah and Ezekiel, it describes the exile of Israel and Judah as a divine act of driving them out from the land due to covenant unfaithfulness.

Etymology

נָדַח is a primitive root, meaning its derivation from an earlier Semitic form is not clearly traceable within Hebrew itself. The core idea is one of forceful displacement or propulsion. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Arabic, with related meanings of 'pushing' or 'thrusting.' In Hebrew, its meaning developed from the basic physical action to encompass the social, legal, and theological consequences of being forcibly removed or led astray.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it encapsulates key covenantal themes of blessing, curse, and exile. It describes the ultimate covenant curse: being 'driven' from the Promised Land, which is the direct opposite of God's promise to 'bring' His people in (Deuteronomy 30:1-5). It also highlights the serious nature of idolatry and false prophecy, framed as an act of 'driving' people away from Yahweh (Deuteronomy 13:5). Understanding נָדַח enriches the reading of the Prophets, where the experience of exile is not merely a historical event but the execution of a covenantal threat, making the promises of a future 'gathering' all the more powerful.

In its ancient Near Eastern context, the threat of being 'driven out' was a grave reality. For an agrarian, tribal society deeply connected to their ancestral land and community, banishment was a social and economic death sentence, equivalent to being cut off from identity, protection, and livelihood. The use of this term for idolatry reflects the understanding that worshiping other gods was not a private religious choice but an act of communal treason that could 'drive' the entire nation into ruin and displacement, severing their unique relationship with Yahweh and the land He gave them.

גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — focuses on the state of exile or uncovering, while נָדַח emphasizes the forceful action of driving that leads to exile. יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — means to throw or cast, often a single act, whereas נָדַח implies a sustained driving or pushing away. הוֹלִיךְ (hôlîyk, H1980) — a more general term for leading or bringing, without the inherent force or negative connotation of נָדַח.

Word Details

Scripture References