נָשַׂג

to reach (literally or figuratively)

Definition

The Hebrew verb נָשַׂג (nâsag) fundamentally means 'to reach' or 'to attain,' encompassing both physical and figurative senses. Literally, it describes physically reaching or overtaking a person or object, as when Laban overtakes Jacob (Genesis 31:25) or Pharaoh's army pursues and reaches the Israelites (Exodus 14:9). Figuratively, it conveys the idea of attaining a goal, state, or understanding, such as reaching old age (Genesis 47:9) or a level of wealth. In some contexts, it implies sufficiency, as in a sacrifice being within one's financial reach (Leviticus 5:11; 14:21).

Biblical Usage

נָשַׂג is used 47 times across narrative, legal, and poetic books. Its primary narrative use is for physical pursuit and overtaking, especially in Genesis (e.g., Genesis 44:4, 6) and Exodus. It appears in legal texts (Leviticus) to discuss what is financially attainable for sacrificial offerings. The word is also used for attaining abstract things like years of life, wisdom, or wealth, showing its broad application from concrete action to metaphorical achievement.

Etymology

נָשַׂג is a primitive root. Its core meaning relates to reaching, touching, or arriving at a point. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian 'nasāgu' (to approach). The Hebrew meaning developed from the basic physical sense of 'reaching' to include the figurative extensions of attaining and sufficiency.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it frames humanity's relationship with God's standards and provisions. In passages like Leviticus 5:11, it highlights God's grace in making atonement attainable ('reachable') for all, regardless of economic status. It also describes human limits—whether in pursuit (Exodus 14:9) or in the span of life (Genesis 47:9)—contrasting with God's omnipotence. Understanding נָשַׂג enriches reading by revealing themes of divine accessibility, human striving, and the boundaries of human ability.

In its ancient setting, the physical sense of 'overtaking' often related to pursuit in conflict or justice, a critical concept in a tribal, pastoral society. The financial usage in Leviticus reflects an agrarian economy where sacrificial costs were measured against one's livestock and harvest, making the concept of 'attainability' very concrete. The idea of 'reaching' old age was a notable blessing in a culture with lower life expectancy.

הִשִּׂיג (hissîg, H5381) — A closely related form of the same root, often used interchangeably. הִגִּיעַ (higgîaʿ, H5060) — To reach, arrive, or come; often used for arriving at a place or time, with less emphasis on pursuit. קָנָה (qānâ, H7069) — To acquire, get, or buy; focuses on possession rather than the process of reaching or attaining.

Word Details

Scripture References