נָזָה (na.zah)
na.zah
to sprinkle; to spring
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 21 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nazah describes the physical action of sprinkling or spattering liquid. It appears most frequently in the legal texts of Leviticus and Numbers, where it details the ritual application of blood or water for purification. In these contexts, the word captures a specific motion: causing droplets to scatter or spurt onto a surface or person, rather than pouring or washing.
Its usage carries significant theological weight in the Old Testament sacrificial system. For example, Leviticus 14:7 records the priest sprinkling blood seven times to cleanse a leper from their uncleanness. This act was not merely ceremonial hygiene but a formal declaration of restored status within the community and before God.
Isaiah 52:15 offers a striking variation, describing how nations will be astonished by a figure whose appearance was so marred he seemed "sprinkled" with blood. Here the word retains its literal sense of spattering but applies it to human suffering. Translators often render nazah as "sprinkle," though this English term can sound gentle; the Hebrew emphasizes the forceful scattering of droplets.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word nazah describes a specific physical action: scattering droplets of liquid onto a surface or person. In the Old Testament, this was not a gentle pouring but a deliberate spattering, often using hyssop branches to apply blood or water. This motion carried deep theological weight in Israel’s worship, marking moments of purification and consecration. When a priest sprinkled blood seven times, it signaled a formal restoration of status before God.
For your faith today, this image reminds us that cleansing is an active work of grace. Just as the ancient rituals set apart the unclean for holy use, Christians believe Jesus’ sacrifice achieves true purification for believers. The forceful scattering of droplets points to the thoroughness of this cleansing. It is not a surface-level wash but a complete restoration of relationship with God.
When you read these passages, consider the care taken in each sprinkling. Every drop was intentional, meant to bring peace and holiness. This same divine attention extends to your life. You are valued and made clean through Christ’s work, allowing you to approach God with confidence and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 21 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he will spatter7×
- and/ he will spatter [it]6×
- and/ it spattered2×
- spatter1×
- he will startle1×
- he will spatter1×
- and/ you will spatter [it]1×
- and/ he spattered [it]1×
- and/ he spattered1×
- and/ [the] [one who] spatters1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/הִזָּ֨ה3×
- וְ/הִזָּ֤ה3×
- וְ/הִזָּ֞ה3×
- וְ/הִזָּ֥ה2×
- יַזֶּה֙1×
- יַזֶּ֧ה1×
- וּ/מַזֵּ֤ה1×
- וַ/יַּ֥ז1×
- וַ/יַּ֤ז1×
- וַ/יִּ֨ז1×
- וְ/יֵ֤ז1×
- וְ/הִזָּ֧ה1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 14:7
He shall sprinkle on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird go into the open field.
This verse shows the word used for the final act of pronouncing a leper clean, marking their full restoration to community life.
-
Leviticus 16:14
He shall take some of the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.
Here the high priest sprinkles blood on the mercy seat, demonstrating the word’s role in securing atonement for the people’s sins.
-
Numbers 19:18
A clean person shall take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, on all the vessels, on the persons who were there, and on him who touched the bone, or the slain, or the dead, or the grave.
The command to sprinkle water of cleansing on those who touched a dead body highlights the ritual’s purpose in removing ceremonial impurity.
-
Isaiah 52:15
so he will cleanse many nations. Kings will shut their mouths at him; for they will see that which had not been told them, and they will understand that which they had not heard.
This prophetic verse uses the term metaphorically to describe a figure so marred he appears sprinkled with blood, shocking the nations.