נוּס
to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
Definition
The Hebrew verb נוּס (nûwç) primarily means 'to flee' or 'to escape,' describing a rapid departure from danger or threat, as seen when Joseph flees from Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:12). In a causative sense (Hiphil stem), it means 'to put to flight' or 'to chase away,' such as when God's plagues cause Pharaoh's magicians to flee (Exodus 9:20). It can also imply 'to vanish' or 'subside,' as in the waters of the flood abating (Genesis 8:3). The word conveys urgency and movement away from peril toward safety.
Biblical Usage
נוּס appears 142 times across the Old Testament, most frequently in narrative books like Genesis, Exodus, and the historical books. It is used in contexts of military retreat (e.g., Genesis 14:10), personal escape from harm (e.g., Genesis 19:20), and divine intervention causing enemies to flee. The causative form often depicts God scattering foes or individuals driving others away. Prophetic books also use it metaphorically for the vanishing of idols or threats.
Etymology
A primitive root, נוּס is related to the idea of quick, darting movement. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages with similar meanings of fleeing or shaking. The root conveys a sense of sudden motion, whether literal flight or figurative disappearance, and its basic meaning has remained consistent in Hebrew usage.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it frequently illustrates God's deliverance and protection. When God causes enemies to flee, it demonstrates His power and faithfulness to His people, as in the Exodus narrative. Conversely, human flight can reflect fear or failure to trust God. Understanding נוּס enriches reading by highlighting the dynamics of rescue and judgment, showing how divine intervention often involves creating escape routes for the faithful or dispersing threats.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, fleeing was a common response to military defeat or personal danger, often seen as a shameful act but necessary for survival. The concept of 'putting to flight' was tied to honor and victory in battle, where chasing an enemy signified dominance. This contrasts with modern views where escape might be viewed more neutrally as a safety measure.
בָּרַח (bāraḥ, H1272) — emphasizes flight in terror or haste, often interchangeable but sometimes with a stronger sense of panic. עָזַב (ʿāzaḇ, H5800) — means to leave or forsake, focusing on abandonment rather than rapid escape. נָסַע (nāsaʿ, H5265) — denotes journeying or departing, usually without the urgency of fleeing danger.
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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