נָדָא (na.da)
na.da
to drive away; to put away
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nadah carries the forceful action of driving something or someone away. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears only twice, both times describing a decisive act of exclusion. The word is not used for gentle persuasion but for the physical or legal removal of a person from a community or group.
In 2 Kings 17:21, the text uses this term to describe how Israel drove the house of David away. Here, nadah captures the political and social rupture that occurred when the northern tribes rejected the Davidic line. The action is final; it marks a clear boundary between those who remain and those who are thrust aside.
The sources note that while the basic meaning is to put away or cast out, the context in Scripture emphasizes the severing of ties. It describes a removal that leaves no room for return, highlighting the seriousness of being excluded from the covenant community or political structure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew verb nadah describes a forceful act of driving someone away or putting them out. It is not a gentle suggestion but a decisive removal that creates a clear boundary. In Scripture, this word marks moments where ties are severed, whether in political upheaval or social rejection.
When we encounter the idea of being cast out, it can feel isolating and painful. Yet, these ancient texts remind us that human rejection does not define our ultimate standing. Even when people try to exclude others for their name’s sake, God remains present with those who tremble at His word.
This word invites us to reflect on how we treat others in times of conflict. It challenges the impulse to drive away those who disagree or suffer. Instead, it points toward a deeper trust in God’s justice and care, even when human communities fail to show mercy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- those/ [who] push away1×
- [who] exclude/ you1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְנַדֵּי/כֶ֗ם1×
- הַֽ/מְנַדִּ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 66:5
Hear Yahweh’s word, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, ‘Let Yahweh be glorified, that we may see your joy;’ but it is those who shall be disappointed.
This verse uses the word to describe brothers who cast out believers for the sake of God's name, highlighting the pain of religious exclusion.
-
Amos 6:3
Alas for you who put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near,
Here the term describes people who push away the day of disaster, showing a willful rejection of impending judgment.