נְאֻם (ne.um)
ne.um
utterance
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 257 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun neʾum refers to a formal utterance or declaration, functioning as a technical term for prophetic speech. In the Old Testament, it appears over 250 times, most frequently in Jeremiah and Isaiah. It marks a message that carries divine authority, serving as a verbal seal that distinguishes God’s word from human opinion.
Its usage follows a distinct pattern: it almost always precedes or follows the name of Yahweh, creating the phrase "the oracle of the Lord." This structure signals that what follows is not merely the prophet's own insight but a revelation received from God. While rare instances attribute neʾum to figures like Balaam or David, these exceptions highlight the norm by contrasting human speech with the primary divine source.
Translators typically render neʾum as "says" or "declares," often embedding it into the narrative flow as "Thus says the Lord." This phrasing preserves the weight of the original term, reminding readers that the message originates from heaven. The word anchors the prophetic books in a clear chain of communication, where God speaks and the prophet delivers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word neʾum marks a message as coming directly from God. It appears in over two hundred verses, often introducing or closing a divine statement. This term acts as a seal of authority, distinguishing God’s spoken word from human opinion. When you encounter this phrase in Scripture, it signals that the following words are not merely the prophet’s insight but a revelation received from heaven.
For your faith, this means you can trust the weight of these messages. Whether the content is a warning or a promise, the source is divine. The structure “the oracle of the Lord” anchors the prophetic books in a clear chain of communication where God speaks and the prophet delivers. This assurance reminds readers that the message originates from above, offering stability in uncertain times.
Even when the word appears in rare contexts, such as Balaam’s prophecy, it highlights the norm: God is the primary source of truth. You can find comfort in knowing that these declarations are not fleeting thoughts but enduring utterances. This consistency provides a foundation for hope, reminding you that God’s words remain firm and reliable throughout history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 257 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] utterance of270×
- and/ [the] utterance of3×
- an utterance1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְאֻם\־222×
- נְאֻ֖ם24×
- נְאֻם֙8×
- נְאֻ֤ם4×
- נְאֻ֨ם\־2×
- נְאֻ֣ם\׀2×
- וּ/נְאֻ֥ם2×
- נְאֻם֩1×
- נְאֻם1×
- נְאֻום\־1×
- נְאֻֽם\׃1×
- נְאֻ֧ם1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 22:16
and said, “‘I have sworn by myself,’ says Yahweh, ‘because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son,
This verse uses the phrase to confirm God’s oath to Abraham after the test of Isaac, emphasizing the solemnity of the promise.
-
Isaiah 1:24
Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says: “Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries, and avenge myself on my enemies.
Here it introduces a strong declaration of judgment against adversaries, showing the word’s role in conveying divine justice.
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Psalms 110:1
A Psalm by David. Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.”
This key messianic verse uses the term to record God’s invitation to the Messiah to sit at His right hand, highlighting royal authority.
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II Kings 19:33
He will return the same way that he came, and he will not come to this city,’ says Yahweh.
Isaiah uses this phrase to deliver a specific promise of protection to Hezekiah against the Assyrian threat, linking it to divine intervention.