נוּא (nu)
nu
to forbid
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nu carries the sense of holding something back or preventing an action from taking place. It functions as a strong term for prohibition, often describing the act of forbidding someone to do what they intended or were permitted to do. In its most common usage, it appears in contexts where authority is exercised to stop a specific behavior or decision.
This word appears only four times in the Hebrew Bible, giving it a focused impact. It is notably used in Numbers 30:6-8 and Numbers 30:12-13 regarding vows. Here, nu describes the power of a husband or father to nullify a vow made by his wife or daughter. By exercising this authority, they effectively frustrate the plan or promise that was made, showing how the word bridges the gap between simple restraint and legal invalidation.
Its presence in Psalm 106:24 highlights its theological weight when applied to divine judgment. The psalmist uses nu to describe how God held back the Israelites from entering the Promised Land because of their disobedience. In this instance, the verb captures not just a human restriction but a sovereign intervention that alters history by stopping a people from proceeding with their intended path.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word nu describes a firm act of holding back or preventing an action. It is not merely a suggestion but a decisive intervention that stops a plan from moving forward. In the Bible, this term often appears in contexts where authority is exercised to nullify a promise or redirect a path. Understanding this word helps us see how human decisions can be overridden by higher authorities, whether legal or divine.
For your faith, this carries a sobering yet comforting weight. It reminds us that our plans are subject to God’s sovereign will. When circumstances seem blocked or forbidden, it may reflect a protective restraint rather than a random obstacle. The psalmist acknowledges that Yahweh brings the counsel of nations to nothing, highlighting His ultimate control over history and individual lives.
This perspective invites trust in God’s timing and direction. If He forbids a path, it is often to preserve us or guide us toward something better. We can rest in the knowledge that no plan is beyond His oversight, and even our setbacks are under His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it refuse1×
- he frustrates1×
- do you discourage/ !1×
- and/ they discouraged1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְנִיא֔וּ/ן1×
- יָנִ֣י1×
- וַ/יָּנִ֕יאוּ1×
- הֵ֝נִ֗יא1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 33:10
Yahweh brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.
This verse uses nu to describe how Yahweh nullifies the plans of nations, showing His supreme authority over human intentions.
-
Numbers 32:9
For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which Yahweh had given them.
Here the word describes how spies discouraged the Israelites by forbidding them from entering the land due to fear.
-
Psalms 141:5
Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don’t let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.
The psalmist asks that his head not refuse correction, using nu in a negative form to accept discipline as kindness.