נִבְחַז (niv.chaz)
niv.chaz
Nibhaz
N:N-M-TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-T
Word Overview
The proper noun Nibhaz refers to a deity worshipped by the people of Avva who were resettled in Samaria by the Assyrian king Shalmaneser. The name translates literally as "the barker," a meaning that likely reflects the appearance or characteristics of the idol associated with this god.
According to historical records found in 2 Kings 17:31, these foreign settlers placed an image of Nibhaz alongside other idols in their high places. The sources indicate that this specific figure was shaped like a dog, connecting the name’s meaning directly to its physical representation. This detail highlights the diverse and often strange nature of the religious practices introduced into the region during that period.
Nibhaz appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, serving as a brief but specific marker of the cultural mixing that occurred after the Assyrian conquest. The text lists it among other foreign gods to illustrate the spiritual confusion present in Samaria at the time. Its singular occurrence underscores how these local deities were remembered primarily as part of a broader narrative about idolatry and displacement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Nibhaz appears only once in Scripture, nestled within a list of foreign deities worshipped by settlers in Samaria. Its meaning, 'the barker,' likely refers to an idol shaped like a dog. This specific detail highlights the strange and varied nature of religious practices that arose after the Assyrian conquest.
For your faith, this brief mention serves as a reminder of the spiritual confusion that can surround us when we turn away from God. It illustrates how easily people can be led into worshiping created things rather than the Creator. This historical account warns against the dangers of idolatry and the importance of staying rooted in true worship.
While Nibhaz itself is a minor detail, it points to a larger truth about human nature. We are prone to seek comfort in false gods when we feel displaced or uncertain. This story invites us to examine our own hearts and ensure that our trust remains firmly placed in the one true God, who alone deserves our worship.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Nibhaz1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִבְחַ֖ז1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 17:31
and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
This verse lists Nibhaz alongside other foreign gods to illustrate the spiritual confusion and idolatry present in Samaria after the Assyrian resettlement.