נָשָׂא

The Hebrew verb נָשָׂא (nasa') is one of the most common and semantically rich verbs in the Old Testament, with over 600 occurrences. Its primary concrete meaning is "to lift" or "to carry," such as lifting one's eyes (Genesis 31:10), lifting up hands in worship or supplication (Habakkuk 3:10), or physically carrying an object (2 Kings 4:36; Jonah 1:15). From this basic sense, the word develops numerous figurative and metaphorical applications.

Beyond physical elevation, נָשָׂא (nasa') also conveys the idea of "to bear," implying responsibility or endurance. This can be seen in bearing iniquity or sin (Numbers 18:1; Job 7:21), where the verb suggests both the burden of sin and the act of atoning for or forgiving it. In a similar vein, it can mean "to endure" or "to tolerate." The broader semantic range includes concepts like "to take away," such as sins being taken away through pardon (Job 7:21), or "to receive" and "to accept," particularly in the context of accepting a person or a gift (Genesis 32:20). Its usage highlights the dynamic relationship between burden, responsibility, relief, and acceptance within the biblical narrative.

Furthermore, נָשָׂא (nasa') can express elevation in status or honor, as in "exalt" or "magnify." It is employed in contexts of praise and adoration, where God's name is lifted up. The diverse applications of נָשָׂא (nasa') reveal its significance in describing human action, divine intervention, and the complex interplay of sin and forgiveness, burdens and blessings in the life of ancient Israel. Understanding its full scope helps to illuminate the varied nuances of many biblical passages.