נְכַס (ne.khas)
ne.khas
wealth
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun nekas refers to material wealth or property. It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the book of Ezra. In these passages, the term describes the valuable items that were returned to Jerusalem by the Persian king Artaxerxes to support the rebuilding of the temple and its services.
This word is a direct cognate of the Hebrew nekes (H5233). While the Hebrew form appears more frequently across various biblical genres, the Aramaic nekas is restricted to official court records and historical narratives. Its usage highlights the tangible assets involved in the restoration project, emphasizing the concrete nature of the resources provided rather than abstract concepts of prosperity.
Translators typically render nekas as "riches" or "property." The context in Ezra focuses on the specific goods—such as gold, silver, and vessels—that were transported from Babylon. This limited occurrence underscores how the text uses the term to document the historical transfer of wealth for a sacred purpose, rather than offering a general theological reflection on material abundance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for wealth in these passages points to tangible resources set aside for a sacred purpose. In Ezra, it describes the gold, silver, and vessels returned by King Artaxerxes to support the temple rebuilding. This shows that material goods can serve God’s work when directed toward His glory.
When we consider our own resources, this perspective invites us to view what we have not as personal property alone, but as tools for building up the community of faith. The text does not condemn wealth itself, but highlights its proper use in restoring what is holy.
We are encouraged to steward our time, talents, and treasures with diligence, knowing that every gift can contribute to a greater mission. May we find joy in using what God has entrusted to us for the good of others and the advancement of His kingdom.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- properti<es>1×
- and/ from/ [the] properti<es> of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִכְסִ֖ין1×
- וּ/מִ/נִּכְסֵ֣י1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 6:8
Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses must be given with all diligence to these men, that they not be hindered.
This verse uses the term to describe royal funds provided without hesitation, ensuring the temple work would not be hindered by lack of resources.
-
Ezra 7:26
Whoever will not do the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed on him with all diligence, whether it is to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
Here the word appears in a legal context, specifying confiscation of goods as a penalty for disobeying both divine and royal law.