נָאַר (na.ar)
na.ar
to disown
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb na’ar appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Lamentations 5:2. In this Piel stem, it carries a heavy emotional weight, meaning to abhor or spurn someone with intense disgust. The context describes a nation that has been so thoroughly rejected by God that even its own people have turned against it, casting it off as something vile.
Because the word is rare, its exact etymology remains uncertain, but the usage here is unmistakable. It goes beyond simple dislike; it implies a violent rejection of kinship or covenant relationship. The sources note that the meaning is derived primarily from this single, stark context, where the feeling is one of absolute repulsion.
Translators typically render this as "abhor" or "spurn," capturing the depth of the alienation described in the lament. The word serves as a powerful indicator of the total breakdown of community and divine favor in the book’s final chapter, marking a state where even familial bonds are severed by mutual contempt.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word na’ar appears only once in Scripture, in Lamentations 5:2. It describes a deep, violent rejection—where even family members turn against one another with disgust. This rare verb captures the pain of being cast off by those who should love you most.
In our own lives, we may feel this kind of isolation when relationships break down or when we sense God’s presence is distant. The Bible does not hide this reality. Instead, it brings these raw feelings into the light, showing us that God hears the cries of the brokenhearted even in their darkest moments.
Though Lamentations speaks of judgment and loss, it also points to a God who remains faithful despite our failures. When you feel abandoned or unloved, remember that your worth is not defined by human rejection. You are known and held by a Creator who sees your pain and offers hope beyond the ashes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he has repudiated1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִאֵ֣ר1×
Key Verses
-
Lamentations 2:7
The Lord has cast off his altar. He has abhorred his sanctuary. He has given the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy. They have made a noise in Yahweh’s house, as in the day of a solemn assembly.
This verse uses a related concept of God abhorring His sanctuary, showing how severe divine rejection can be when covenant faithfulness is broken.