נְגַד (ne.gad)
ne.gad
to flow
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nagad, found in its Pael stem as nēḡaḏ, carries the simple and vivid meaning of flowing or streaming. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Daniel 7:10, where it describes the river of fire issuing from before the Ancient of Days.
This rare usage places the word firmly within a context of divine judgment and power. The image is not of a gentle trickle but of a powerful, continuous flow, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of God's presence and authority in this apocalyptic vision. Translators typically render it as "flowing" to capture this sense of movement and intensity.
Its solitary occurrence highlights how specific vocabulary can anchor a particular theological image in Scripture. By using a word that denotes active streaming, the text conveys more than just water; it suggests a dynamic, unstoppable force emanating from the throne room, reinforcing the majesty and awe-inspiring reality of the scene described.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nagad, specifically in its rare Pael stem form nēḡaḏ, paints a vivid picture of something flowing or streaming with power. It appears only once in Scripture, anchoring the dramatic vision in Daniel 7:10. Here, it describes a fiery stream issuing from before the Ancient of Days. This is not a gentle trickle but a forceful outpouring that underscores the overwhelming majesty and authority of God.
For your faith, this image reminds us that divine judgment and presence are dynamic realities. The text uses this specific vocabulary to convey an unstoppable force emanating from the throne room. It invites you to stand in awe of a God whose power is as vast and continuous as a raging river, offering hope that ultimate justice is firmly established.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] flowing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נָגֵ֤ד1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 7:10
A fiery stream issued and came out from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set. The books were opened.
The verb describes the fiery stream issuing from before the Ancient of Days, emphasizing the dynamic and unstoppable nature of divine authority in this apocalyptic vision.