נָאַץ (na.ats)
na.ats
to spurn
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb naats describes a sharp, active rejection rooted in contempt. It goes beyond simple dislike to signify spurning or deriding something as worthless. In Proverbs, it captures the attitude of those who reject wisdom’s correction (Proverbs 1:30; 5:12), treating divine instruction with open scorn.
Its range extends to how people treat God Himself. The prophets use it to describe Israel’s rebellion against divine counsel (Isaiah 1:4; Jeremiah 33:24). Conversely, it appears in Psalms when the psalmist laments that God’s name is blasphemed or despised by enemies (Psalm 74:18). The Piel stem even carries a causative sense, meaning to give occasion for evil speech against God (2 Samuel 12:14).
A striking feature of this word is its rare usage in Ecclesiastes 12:5. Here, the text likely uses naats interchangeably with a root meaning "to bloom," describing how almond branches burst into white flowers before old age sets in. This poetic shift highlights the fragility of life, contrasting the vitality of nature with human decline.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word naats describes a sharp, active rejection rooted in contempt. It goes beyond simple dislike to signify spurning or deriding something as worthless. In Proverbs, it captures the attitude of those who reject wisdom’s correction (Proverbs 1:30; 5:12), treating divine instruction with open scorn.
Its range extends to how people treat God Himself. The prophets use it to describe Israel’s rebellion against divine counsel (Isaiah 1:4; Jeremiah 33:24). Conversely, it appears in Psalms when the psalmist laments that God’s name is blasphemed or despised by enemies (Psalm 74:18).
A striking feature of this word is its rare usage in Ecclesiastes 12:5. Here, the text likely uses naats interchangeably with a root meaning "to bloom," describing how almond branches burst into white flowers before old age sets in. This poetic shift highlights the fragility of life, contrasting the vitality of nature with human decline.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they have spurned3×
- they spurned2×
- he spurns2×
- you spurn1×
- you have declared contemptible1×
- will they spurn/ me1×
- will he spurn?1×
- to/ [those who] despise/ me1×
- they treated with contempt1×
- they spurn/ !1×
- they had spurned1×
- it spurned1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִֽאֲצ֛וּ2×
- תִּנְאַץ֙1×
- נָאָֽצוּ\׃1×
- נָאַ֥ץ1×
- נָ֝אֲצ֗וּ1×
- נִאַ֙צְתָּ֙1×
- נִאֵֽצוּ\׃1×
- נִאֵ֤ץ1×
- נִאֵ֖ץ1×
- נִֽאֲצוּ֙1×
- נִֽאֲצ֥וּ1×
- נִ֘אֵ֥ץ\׀1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 1:30
They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
This verse defines the word by showing how despising reproof leads to inevitable calamity.
-
Numbers 14:11
Yahweh said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? How long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have worked among them?
Yahweh uses this term to express deep grief over Israel's persistent lack of trust despite witnessing miracles.
-
Ecclesiastes 12:5
yes, they shall be afraid of heights, and terrors will be on the way; and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goes to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets;
This unique usage shifts the meaning to describe the blooming of almond branches, symbolizing the onset of old age.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word naats mean?
How is naats different from other words for hating?
Where does naats appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (24 verses across 10 books)
Numbers 3 verses
Yahweh said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? How long will they not believe in me, for all the signs…
Numbers 14:23surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any of those who despised me see it.
Numbers 16:30But if Yahweh makes a new thing, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up with all that belong to them, and…