נָצָא
to go away
Definition
The verb נָצָא (nâtsâʼ) means 'to go away' or 'to depart,' often with a sense of urgency or flight. In its sole biblical occurrence in Jeremiah 48:9, it is used in a prophetic command for the people of Moab to flee from their cities, implying a swift and decisive departure from a place of danger or judgment. The context suggests a movement away from a specific location, not merely a casual leaving, but one driven by an external threat. While the basic sense is spatial departure, the prophetic setting imbues it with a tone of escape from impending doom.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Jeremiah 48:9. It appears in a prophetic oracle against Moab, where the prophet commands, 'Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee (נָצָא) and get away.' The usage is imperative and poetic, emphasizing a desperate, swift escape from coming destruction. The context is one of divine judgment, where fleeing is the only recourse.
Etymology
נָצָא is considered a primitive root in Hebrew. Its exact derivation is uncertain, but it is related to the concept of moving away. It may be connected by meaning to other Semitic roots indicating flight or departure, though its solitary biblical use limits detailed comparative analysis.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as part of a judgment oracle. It underscores the seriousness of God's judgment against nations (like Moab) and the futility of resistance—the only appropriate response is to flee. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Jeremiah 48 by highlighting the urgency and totality of the commanded departure, reinforcing themes of God's sovereignty over the nations and the consequences of pride and opposition to His purposes.
In the ancient Near Eastern context of warfare and prophecy, a command to 'flee' from one's cities was a dire warning of imminent military invasion and destruction. For the original audience, it would evoke images of refugees abandoning their homes to escape siege, slaughter, or captivity. The poetic imagery of 'giving wings' to flee emphasizes the desperation and desired speed of this escape, a concept deeply understood in a culture familiar with sudden warfare.
נוּס (nûs, H5127) — a more common verb for 'to flee,' often used in contexts of escaping danger or battle. בָּרַח (bāraḥ, H1272) — to flee, bolt, or run away, also emphasizing quick escape. עָזַב (ʿāzaḇ, H5800) — to leave, forsake, or abandon, with a stronger connotation of desertion rather than urgent flight.
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.
Full methodology & sources →