נָוָה (na.ah)
na.ah
habitation
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun na’ah refers to a place of dwelling or habitation, often carrying the specific sense of a pasture or meadow where livestock graze. It describes not just any building, but a settled home or resting place, frequently associated with the quiet stability of rural life. In the Psalms and prophetic books like Joel and Jeremiah, this word paints a picture of peace and security, contrasting sharply with the chaos of exile or war.
Its usage highlights the connection between land and belonging. When Jeremiah speaks of the "habitations" of Judah (Jeremiah 9:11), he is mourning the loss of these settled places of safety. The word implies a sense of rootedness, where people and animals find their sustenance and shelter in a designated spot. It is less about grand architecture and more about the functional, peaceful reality of having a place to rest.
Translators typically render na’ah as "habitation," "dwelling," or "pasture." This choice reflects its dual nature: it is both a home for people and a feeding ground for animals. The term underscores the biblical theme that true peace involves stable, secure places where life can flourish without threat.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In Scripture, a habitation is more than just a structure; it represents a place of rest and stability. The word often describes green pastures where sheep lie down or homes that provide shelter from the storm. This imagery reminds us that God cares about our need for safety and peace in daily life.
When biblical writers speak of these places, they highlight the contrast between security and chaos. A habitation is where life flourishes, away from the threats that disrupt our peace. It points to a grounded existence where sustenance and shelter are provided, reflecting God's desire for us to find rest in His care.
Even when these places are lost or threatened, the longing for them reveals our deep need for belonging. This word invites us to trust in the One who provides true rest, knowing that our ultimate home is found in His faithful presence and provision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] pastures of6×
- settlements of1×
- in/ pastures of1×
- [the] settlements of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְא֣וֹת7×
- נְא֥וֹת1×
- בִּ/נְא֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
This verse uses the concept of habitation to describe green pastures where the shepherd provides rest and safety for the sheep.
-
Lamentations 2:2
The Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob without pity. He has thrown down in his wrath the strongholds of the daughter of Judah. He has brought them down to the ground. He has profaned the kingdom and its princes.
Here the word refers to the dwellings of Jacob, highlighting the devastation caused when God's people lose their secure places of residence.
-
Joel 1:19
Yahweh, I cry to you, for the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame has burned all the trees of the field.
The prophet mentions the pastures of the wilderness being devoured by fire, showing how the loss of these habitation grounds affects both people and animals.