נוּם (num)
num
to slumber
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb num describes a state of drowsiness or light slumber, distinct from deep, unconscious sleep. It appears in only four verses, primarily in poetic texts like Psalms and Isaiah, where it captures that transitional moment between waking and sleeping. The word conveys a sense of heaviness or dozing off rather than the complete cessation of awareness associated with deeper rest.
In its most famous usage, Psalm 121:4 declares that the guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps (num). Here, the term emphasizes God’s constant vigilance; He does not drift into even the lightest nap. This distinction is crucial, as it portrays divine protection as an active, unbroken watchfulness that never lapses into drowsiness, contrasting sharply with human fragility and fatigue.
Translators typically render num as "slumber" or "doze," preserving the nuance of partial consciousness. The word’s rarity highlights its specific function in Scripture: to mark a boundary between alertness and rest. By denying that God experiences num, the biblical authors affirm that His care is never interrupted by natural human limitations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word num describes that fleeting moment of drowsiness when consciousness begins to fade, distinct from deep, unconscious sleep. In Psalm 121:4, this term highlights a profound truth about God’s nature: He does not even drift into light slumber. While human vigilance inevitably wanes with fatigue, divine watchfulness remains constant and unbroken.
This distinction offers comfort rather than fear. It assures us that we are held by a presence that never tires or loses focus. You do not need to carry the burden of maintaining your own safety alone; the One who keeps Israel is fully alert and ready to protect you at every moment.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will slumber1×
- he slumber1×
- anyone will slumber1×
- <of>/ to slumber1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לָ/נֽוּם\׃1×
- יָנ֖וּם1×
- יָ֭נוּם1×
- יָ֝נ֗וּם1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 121:4
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
This verse uses the word to contrast human fragility with God’s perfect, uninterrupted vigilance over Israel.
-
Psalms 121:3
He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber.
Here the term reinforces the promise that God’s protection is steady enough to prevent even a momentary lapse in care.
-
Isaiah 56:10
His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They can’t bark— dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
The word describes the negligent watchmen of Jerusalem who are too lazy to stay alert, highlighting their failure compared to God’s faithfulness.