נָגַד (na.gad)
na.gad
to tell
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 319 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nagad means to bring something into the open, specifically by speaking it to someone face-to-face. Its root sense involves standing "in front" or opposite another person, which implies directness and visibility. In Scripture, this is not a vague hint or a written notice; it is the act of making information known through clear, oral report.
This word appears frequently in narrative passages where messengers or family members share news. For example, in Genesis 29:12, Jacob tells Laban about his relationship to Rachel, and in 2 Samuel 18:25, a watchman reports the approach of soldiers to King David. The action is straightforward: one person conveys facts or events to another who is present.
Translators often render nagad as "tell," "declare," or "report." While these English words can sometimes feel neutral, the Hebrew carries a weight of transparency. It suggests that what was hidden or unknown is now exposed and confirmed through speech. The focus remains on the clarity of the message and the directness of the communication between the speaker and the listener.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word nagad describes more than simple speech; it is the act of bringing something hidden into the light through direct, face-to-face communication. When a messenger runs to deliver news or a family member shares a report, they are performing an act of transparency. This verb reminds us that truth thrives in open conversation rather than remaining buried in silence or secrecy.
In your own life, this concept invites you to value honesty and clear communication with those around you. Just as Jacob told Rachel about his kinship or the watchman reported to David, we are called to share what we know with clarity and integrity. This word encourages us to be people who do not withhold information but instead bring it into the open for others to see.
God Himself uses this language when He asks Adam in Genesis 3:11, “Who told you that you were naked?” Here, nagad highlights the weight of confession and the need for directness before God. It suggests that what was once hidden is now exposed, not to shame us, but to invite us into a relationship built on truth and openness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 319 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he told40×
- and/ it was told23×
- and/ they told22×
- and/ people told16×
- to/ tell15×
- tell15×
- tell/ !12×
- and/ she told11×
- he told10×
- declare7×
- to/ declare6×
- you will tell5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יַּגֶּד\־13×
- יַגִּ֣יד11×
- לְ/הַגִּ֥יד10×
- הִגִּ֣יד8×
- וַ/יַּגֵּ֤ד7×
- וַ/יַּגֵּ֣ד7×
- וַ/יַּגִּ֣ידוּ7×
- וַ/יַּגִּ֣דוּ7×
- וַ/יַּגֵּ֥ד6×
- וַ/יַּגֵּ֖ד6×
- וַ/יַּגִּ֤ידוּ6×
- הַגִּֽידָ/ה\־6×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:11
God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
God uses this word to confront Adam with the reality of his disobedience, highlighting the necessity of direct confession.
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Genesis 29:12
Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative, and that he was Rebekah’s son. She ran and told her father.
Jacob’s immediate report to Rachel demonstrates how this verb establishes personal connection and family identity through clear speech.
-
Genesis 37:5
Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more.
Joseph telling his brothers about his dream shows how this word can be used to share visions, even when the news causes tension.
-
Genesis 41:25
Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one. What God is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh.
Joseph explains that God has declared (nagad) future events to Pharaoh, showing the word’s use in revealing divine plans through human messengers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word nagad mean?
How is nagad different from other words for 'speak'?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (319 verses across 30 books)
Genesis 32 verses
God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
Genesis 9:22Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.
Genesis 12:18Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this that you have done to me? Why didn’t you tell me that she was your wife?
Genesis 14:13One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother…
Genesis 21:26Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this thing. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear of it until today.”
Genesis 22:20After these things, Abraham was told, “Behold, Milcah, she also has borne children to your brother Nahor:
Genesis 24:23and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay?”
Genesis 24:28The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words.
Genesis 24:49Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or…
Genesis 26:32The same day, Isaac’s servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had dug, and said to him, “We have…
Genesis 27:42The words of Esau, her elder son, were told to Rebekah. She sent and called Jacob, her younger son, and said to him,…
Genesis 29:12Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative, and that he was Rebekah’s son. She ran and told her father.
Genesis 29:15Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what will your…
Genesis 31:20Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian, in that he didn’t tell him that he was running away.
Genesis 31:22Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled.
Genesis 31:27Why did you flee secretly, and deceive me, and didn’t tell me, that I might have sent you away with mirth and with…
Genesis 37:5Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more.
Genesis 37:16He said, “I am looking for my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are feeding the flock.”
Genesis 38:13Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”
Genesis 38:24About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute. Moreover, behold,…
Genesis 41:24The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads of grain. I told it to the magicians, but there was no one…
Genesis 41:25Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one. What God is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh.
Genesis 42:29They came to Jacob their father, to the land of Canaan, and told him all that had happened to them, saying,
Genesis 43:6Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly, telling the man that you had another brother?”
Genesis 43:7They said, “The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still…
Genesis 44:24When we came up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
Genesis 45:13You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father…
Genesis 45:26They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart fainted, for he…
Genesis 46:31Joseph said to his brothers, and to his father’s house, “I will go up, and speak with Pharaoh, and will tell him, ‘My…
Genesis 47:1Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks, their herds, and all…
Genesis 48:2Someone told Jacob, and said, “Behold, your son Joseph comes to you,” and Israel strengthened himself, and sat on the…
Genesis 49:1Jacob called to his sons, and said: “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which will happen to you in…