נֹא (no)
no
Thebes
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew word no refers to Thebes, the ancient capital of Upper Egypt. In the Bible it appears only once, in Jeremiah 46:25. There, God declares He will punish "No" alongside the gods of Egypt. This single mention highlights the city’s historical power and its eventual downfall.
Lexical sources often link no to a root meaning "disrupting" or "shaking." This etymology fits the prophetic context. The word describes not just a place, but a symbol of Egyptian might that God would overturn. Translators usually render it as "Thebes" to clarify the location for modern readers.
Its rarity in Scripture makes this occurrence significant. It serves as a stark example of divine judgment against worldly powers. The text uses the name to show that even great capitals are subject to God’s authority.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name No appears just once in Scripture, referring to Thebes, the ancient capital of Upper Egypt. In Jeremiah 46:25, God announces judgment against this powerful city and its gods. This single mention reminds us that human strength and political power are temporary.
When we look at the rise and fall of empires, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the size of our problems or the stability of worldly systems. The biblical record shows that no matter how mighty a nation seems, it remains under God’s authority. This truth offers comfort when we face uncertainty.
Your faith does not rest on the strength of governments or the security of material wealth. Instead, you can trust in the One who holds history in His hands. Even when the world around you seems shaken, your hope remains secure in His unchanging character.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from/ Thebes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/נֹּ֔א1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 46:25
Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with her gods and her kings, even Pharaoh, and those who trust in him.
This verse explicitly links the punishment of No (Thebes) with the gods of Egypt, showing that God judges both political leaders and spiritual powers.