נְסַךְ
to pour out a libation
Definition
The verb נְסַךְ (nᵉçak) means to pour out a libation, specifically a drink offering, as an act of worship. In its sole biblical occurrence in Daniel 2:46, it describes the lavish offerings King Nebuchadnezzar commands to be presented to Daniel. This act signifies the king's recognition of Daniel's God as supreme. The word is an Aramaic form, corresponding directly to the Hebrew verb נָסַךְ (H5258), which carries the same core meaning of pouring out a liquid offering.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. In Daniel 2:46, it describes the king's command to 'offer an oblation and sweet odours' to Daniel. The context is one of royal homage and religious acknowledgment following Daniel's successful interpretation of the king's dream. The usage is ceremonial and signifies a formal act of worship and tribute.
Etymology
נְסַךְ is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew verb נָסַךְ (nāsakh, H5258). Both share the common Semitic root N-S-K, meaning 'to pour out.' The Aramaic form appears in the biblical text due to the sections of Daniel written in Aramaic. The meaning remained consistent, specifically denoting the ritual pouring of a drink offering.
Semantic Range
While used only once, this word connects to the significant biblical theme of libation offerings, which were acts of devotion, thanksgiving, or consecration (e.g., Genesis 35:14, Exodus 29:40). In Daniel 2:46, its use by a pagan king to honor a servant of Yahweh is a powerful narrative moment, showcasing God's supreme revelation to Gentile rulers and the unexpected honor given to His faithful servant in a foreign court. It highlights God's sovereignty over all nations.
In the ancient Near East, pouring out a libation was a common religious practice across many cultures, involving the offering of wine, oil, or water to a deity. In Daniel 2:46, Nebuchadnezzar's command includes 'an oblation' (likely grain) and 'sweet odours' (incense) alongside the drink offering (נְסַךְ), representing a full, lavish package of worship items typical of royal homage. This act, directed toward a human (Daniel) as a proxy for his God, was an extraordinary cultural gesture of submission and recognition.
נָסַךְ (nāsakh, H5258) — The direct Hebrew equivalent, used for drink offerings in Israelite ritual. יָצַק (yāṣaq, H3332) — A more general term for pouring or casting, often used for metals, not exclusively for ritual libations. קָטַר (qāṭar, H6999) — To make smoke, to burn incense, a related ritual act often paired with drink offerings.
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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