נָדָן
a present (for prostitution)
Definition
The Hebrew noun נָדָן (nâdân) refers specifically to a 'gift' or 'present,' but in its sole biblical occurrence, it carries the negative connotation of a payment for sexual services. In Ezekiel 16:33, the prophet uses the word to describe the 'gifts' given to a prostitute, which in the allegory represent the payments Judah (personified as an adulterous wife) received from her idolatrous political alliances with foreign nations. This contrasts with the typical Hebrew word for a gift or offering (מִנְחָה, minchah, H4503), which is often used in positive, religious, or honorable contexts. Thus, נָדָן in this context implies a transactional, degrading payment rather than a generous or ceremonial offering.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel 16:33. It appears in a prophetic allegory where Jerusalem is portrayed as an adulterous woman. The context is one of indictment, describing how Judah sought 'gifts' (נְדָנִים, nedanim, the plural form) from her lovers (representing foreign nations) instead of receiving support from God. The usage is uniformly negative, depicting illicit payment within a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry.
Etymology
The word likely derives from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to give' or 'to present.' It is a noun form related to the act of giving, but its specific application in Ezekiel 16:33 narrowed its semantic range to a gift of payment, particularly in a debased context. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic, also support a general meaning of 'gift' or 'tribute.'
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly illustrates the biblical concept of spiritual adultery. In Ezekiel's prophecy, the 'gift' (נָדָן) is not merely a payment but a symbol of Judah's faithless pursuit of security and favor from pagan nations instead of trusting in God's provision. Understanding this specific Hebrew term enriches the reading of Ezekiel 16 by highlighting the depth of Judah's degradation—they not only turned from God but actively sought payment for their idolatrous 'services,' inverting the covenantal relationship where God provides for His people.
In the ancient Near East, gifts and payments were integral to forming alliances and demonstrating loyalty. A 'gift' to a prostitute was a straightforward transaction. Ezekiel's audience would have immediately understood the metaphor: Judah was acting like a prostitute who demands payment from her clients, a shocking image for a nation meant to be set apart for God. This cultural understanding amplifies the prophet's condemnation of Judah's political and religious infidelity.
מִנְחָה (minchah, H4503) — a gift, offering, or tribute, often used in religious or honorable contexts (e.g., Genesis 4:3-5). שֹׁחַד (shochad, H7810) — a bribe or present given to pervert justice, with a strong negative connotation (e.g., Exodus 23:8). אֶשְׁכָּר (eshkar, H7964) — a gift or present, often in the context of a reward or payment (e.g., 1 Kings 9:16).
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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