נְחוּשָׁה (ne.chu.shah)
ne.chu.shah
bronze
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun nechushah refers to bronze, an alloy created by mixing copper with another metal, typically tin. In the ancient world, this material was prized for its durability and strength, making it essential for crafting tools, weapons, and sacred vessels. The term distinguishes this hardened substance from pure copper, highlighting a technological advancement in metallurgy that allowed for more resilient implements.
Its usage in Scripture often underscores themes of endurance or judgment. For instance, in Isaiah 48:4, God describes His people as having a "neck of bronze" to illustrate their stubborn resistance to correction. Similarly, Micah 4:3 envisions a future era of peace where swords are beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, materials forged from this sturdy metal now repurposed for agriculture rather than war.
The word appears eight times in the Hebrew Bible, with significant occurrences in Job, Isaiah, and Micah. It serves as a concrete marker of both human obstinacy and divine power, reflecting a material that could withstand immense pressure. Translators consistently render it as "bronze," preserving the distinction from softer metals like copper or gold.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Bronze was a vital material in the ancient world, valued for its strength and durability. When Scripture mentions this metal, it often points to resilience or enduring hardship. In Isaiah 48:4, the prophet describes a stubborn heart as having a brow of bronze, illustrating how resistance can harden over time. This imagery reminds us that our spiritual condition matters deeply, and God knows when we are resistant to His guidance.
Yet bronze also signifies transformation. In Micah 4:13, the image shifts from hardness to power used for justice, where hoofs of bronze thresh nations. This suggests that what once seemed unyielding can be repurposed by God for a greater purpose. Whether we face trials or serve others, our lives can reflect this sturdy faithfulness.
Understanding this word helps us see how God uses even the hardest aspects of our nature. It invites us to trust that He can shape our resilience into something useful and holy. May we find comfort in knowing that our strength, when surrendered to Him, becomes a source of blessing for others.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bronze5×
- like <the>/ bronze1×
- copper1×
- [was] bronze1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְחוּשָֽׁה\׃3×
- נְחוּשָׁה֙1×
- נְחוּשָׁ֖ה1×
- נְחוּשָׁ֔ה1×
- נְחוּשָׁ֑ה1×
- כַּ/נְּחֻשָֽׁה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 48:4
Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow bronze;
This verse uses bronze to vividly describe the stubbornness of God's people, highlighting their resistance to correction.
-
Micah 4:13
Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze. You will beat in pieces many peoples. I will devote their gain to Yahweh, and their substance to the Lord of the whole earth.
Here, bronze hoofs symbolize the power God grants to His people to overcome enemies and bring justice.
-
Leviticus 26:19
I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your sky like iron, and your soil like bronze.
The soil becoming like bronze illustrates the severity of judgment when Israel breaks its covenant with God.