Hebrew · Strong's H5324
נָצַב
(naw-TSAV)
verb
To stand, take a stand, be set in place, or be appointed over.
The Hebrew verb נָצַב (natsav) denotes a range of meanings related to standing, establishing, or being set. It can describe a physical posture, such as standing still, standing upright, or being placed in a particular location. It also carries the sense of being appointed or having authority over something or someone. This verb can describe both intransitive actions (to stand) and transitive actions (to set up, to appoint). Its usage frequently implies stability, intentional placement, or a designated role.
In various contexts, נָצַב (natsav) can refer to individuals standing before others, objects being erected, or officials being appointed to a position of leadership. The nuance often depends on the surrounding words and the broader narrative. For instance, it can describe water standing still or rising up, or an individual being set over a group of people. The theological weight of נָצַב (natsav) is often tied to divine appointment or a divinely ordained state, although it is also used in mundane contexts of human actions and positions. There are instances where it is used to describe God standing up to act in judgment or to plead a cause, emphasizing his active involvement in human affairs.
While not a frequently occurring verb, its uses are diverse and contribute to a richer understanding of physical presence, social structure, and divine action in the Old Testament. The various English translations reflect this range, striving to capture the specific nuance in each biblical occurrence. The underlying concept is one of being fixed, either physically or in terms of responsibility, and this fixedness often has significant implications for the message of the text.
Common English renderings
- stand
- set up
- appoint
- officer
- deputy
- establish
Key verses
"and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister, and the king’s friend;"
Read in context →
"And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were piled up, The floods stood upright as a heap; The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea."
Read in context →
"Jehovah standeth up to contend, and standeth to judge the peoples."
Read in context →
"And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way."
Read in context →
"And there was no king in Edom: a deputy was king."
Read in context →
"And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the Tent, that all the people rose up, and stood, every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the Tent."
Read in context →
Related words