נְבִזְבָּה (ne.viz.bah)
ne.viz.bah
reward
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun nevizbah denotes a reward or prize given in return for service or loyalty. With only two occurrences in the entire Bible, both found in the book of Daniel, this word carries significant weight in its specific context. It appears in Daniel 4:27 and 5:29, where it refers to the tangible benefits bestowed upon those who demonstrate wisdom or fulfill royal duties.
In these narratives, the term is closely tied to the political and social structures of the Babylonian empire. When King Nebuchadnezzar offers a reward for interpreting his dream, or when Belshazzar promises riches for reading the writing on the wall, nevizbah represents the concrete compensation expected for exceptional insight or action. It underscores the ancient Near Eastern custom where wisdom and prophetic ability were highly valued commodities.
Though rare, this word highlights the intersection of divine revelation and earthly recognition in Daniel. The text uses it to show how God’s servants received honor and material benefit within a pagan court, serving as a testament to the value placed on understanding God’s will, even by foreign rulers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word nevizbah points to a tangible reward given in return for service or loyalty. Found only twice in the book of Daniel, it describes the gifts and honors offered by kings like Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. These rulers sought wisdom from God’s servants, offering material compensation for divine insight.
This word reminds us that our faithfulness to God often brings recognition, even in unexpected places. When we serve with integrity, we may receive honor or provision we did not expect. It shows how God can use difficult situations to display His glory through those who trust Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ rewards/ your1×
- and/ a reward1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/נְבָ֥זְבְּיָתָ֖/ךְ1×
- וּ/נְבִזְבָּה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:6
But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.”
This verse uses the word to describe the gifts and honors Nebuchadnezzar promised Daniel for interpreting his dream, highlighting how earthly kings valued divine wisdom.
-
Daniel 5:17
Then Daniel answered before the king, “Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
Daniel refuses these rewards, showing that true service to God does not depend on material compensation, yet the word still marks the high value placed on prophetic insight in that court.