נוּד

to flee

Definition

The Hebrew verb נוּד (nûwd) primarily means 'to flee' or 'to get away.' In its single biblical occurrence in Daniel 4:14 (Aramaic portion), it describes the divine command for the tree (representing King Nebuchadnezzar) to be chopped down, with the command for the animals and birds to 'flee' from under its branches. This sense conveys a sudden, urgent departure from a place of judgment or danger. While this is its only usage, the related Hebrew root נוד (H5116) carries broader meanings of shaking, wandering, or lamenting, but these nuances are not present in this specific Aramaic form.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, specifically in the Aramaic section of the book of Daniel (Daniel 4:14). It appears in the context of a prophetic dream interpretation, where a heavenly decree commands creatures to flee from a fallen tree, symbolizing the removal of a king's protection and the scattering of his subjects. The usage is imperative, conveying a command for immediate evacuation from a scene of divine judgment.

Etymology

The word נוּד (H5111) is an Aramaic verb corresponding to the Hebrew root נוד (H5116). The Hebrew root נוד has a core idea of motion—such as shaking, nodding, wandering, or fleeing. In Aramaic, this specific form narrows the focus to the sense of 'fleeing' or 'departing quickly.' Its derivation shows a semantic connection to displacement and movement away from a source.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it appears in a key passage about God's sovereignty over kings and nations (Daniel 4). The command to 'flee' (nûwd) is part of a divine decree of judgment against pride, illustrating that God's word actively displaces and scatters what He opposes. Understanding this emphasizes that biblical 'fleeing' can be a direct response to God's judicial action, not merely human panic.

In the ancient Near Eastern context, a fallen great tree was a common symbol for a deposed king or empire. The command for animals and birds to 'flee' from it would resonate with an audience familiar with royal iconography, where a king's protection was often depicted as a sheltering tree. The urgency to 'get away' signaled the complete and sudden collapse of that security, a powerful image of lost stability and patronage.

נָס (nâs, H5127) — a more common Hebrew verb for 'flee,' often from an enemy or danger. בָּרַח (bāraḥ, H1272) — to flee hastily or escape, emphasizing speed. עָזַב (‘āzav, H5800) — to leave or forsake, focusing on abandonment rather than rapid motion.

Word Details

Scripture References