נָזִיד
something boiled, i.e. soup
Definition
נָזִיד refers to a boiled dish, specifically a stew or pottage made by simmering ingredients like lentils or vegetables in a pot. In Genesis 25:29-34, it describes the 'red stew' (נָזִיד עֲדָשִׁים) that Jacob prepared and Esau traded his birthright for, emphasizing a simple, hearty meal. In 2 Kings 4:38-40, it appears in the story of Elisha, where a pot of stew is prepared for the prophets, but is accidentally poisoned by wild gourds, showing it as a communal food. The word also appears in Haggai 2:12 in a ritual purity question, where contact with 'holy meat' (from a sacrifice) does not make the נָזִיד holy, illustrating its ordinary, secular nature as everyday cooked food.
Biblical Usage
This noun is used six times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative contexts involving food preparation and consumption. It appears in the patriarchal story of Genesis 25, where it is central to the transaction between Jacob and Esau. In 2 Kings 4, it is used three times in the account of Elisha feeding the sons of the prophets, highlighting themes of provision and miracle. Its final use in Haggai 2:12 is legal/ritual, discussing the transfer of holiness. The word consistently denotes a practical, boiled meal, often shared among a group.
Etymology
נָזִיד is derived from the root זוּד (zûd, H2102), which means 'to boil' or 'to seethe.' This root conveys the action of cooking by boiling, directly linking to the noun's meaning as a boiled substance. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Arabic, show similar words for 'boiled food,' indicating a shared culinary concept across the ancient Near East.
Semantic Range
Theologically, נָזִיד is significant in the story of Esau selling his birthright for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:29-34). This episode illustrates the profound contrast between immediate physical gratification (the stew) and long-term spiritual inheritance (the birthright), teaching about misplaced priorities and covenant promises. In 2 Kings 4:38-40, the stew becomes a vehicle for God's provision and protection through Elisha, showing divine care in mundane circumstances. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting how ordinary objects like soup can carry deep symbolic weight in biblical narratives.
In ancient Israelite culture, נָזִיד was a common, everyday meal, typically made from readily available ingredients like lentils, grains, or vegetables boiled in a pot. It was a staple for families and groups, as seen in the communal meal in 2 Kings 4. Unlike modern soups, which can be complex, this stew was likely a simple, nourishing dish central to daily sustenance. The incident in Genesis 25 also reflects cultural norms where the eldest son's birthright held immense social and economic value, making Esau's trade for mere stew a shocking act of impulsivity.
מַרְק (maraq, H4839) — a broth or soup, often thinner or more liquid; תַּבְשִׁיל (tavshîyl, H5138) — a general term for cooked or prepared dish, not necessarily boiled.
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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