נֶ֫כֶד (ne.khed)
ne.khed
progeny
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun neched refers to offspring or descendants, specifically focusing on the line of people who follow from an ancestor. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, found in Genesis 15:16, Job 21:7, and Isaiah 57:6. In each instance, the word highlights the continuity of a family line across generations.
While it shares general ground with other words for children or seed, neched carries a distinct weight regarding legacy and future existence. It is not merely about biological birth but about the enduring presence of one’s lineage. This nuance is clear in Isaiah 57:6, where the prophet uses the term to describe those who scatter among stones, contrasting their barrenness with the hope of fruitful progeny.
The rarity of this word suggests it was reserved for specific theological or poetic contexts rather than everyday speech. Its limited usage allows readers to pay close attention to how each author frames the concept of future generations, whether in the context of divine promise or human mortality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word neched points to the living line of descendants that stretches forward from an ancestor. It is more than a biological fact; it carries the weight of legacy and the hope of future existence. When Scripture speaks of progeny, it often highlights how God’s promises extend beyond a single lifetime into the generations that follow.
In Isaiah 57:6, this term appears in a stark contrast. The prophet describes those who scatter among stones as having no neched, emphasizing their spiritual barrenness against the backdrop of divine blessing. This usage reminds us that true fruitfulness is not just about numbers, but about remaining rooted in God’s covenant. For believers, this offers a profound comfort: our lives are part of a larger story that God sustains.
Even when human plans seem fragile, the continuity of faith across generations remains a testament to God’s steadfastness. We can trust that He cares for the future of His people, weaving individual lives into a lasting heritage of grace and truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- progeny1×
- and/ to/ progeny/ my1×
- and/ progeny1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נֶ֣כֶד1×
- וּ/לְ/נֶכְדִּ֑/י1×
- וָ/נֶ֖כֶד1×