נְמִבְזֶה (ne.miv.zeh)
ne.miv.zeh
vile
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word ne’mivzeh describes a state of being utterly despised or treated with contempt. It functions as an adjective derived from the root bazah, which means to hold something in low esteem. The term captures not just personal dislike but a social reality where a person is regarded as worthless or disdained by others.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Samuel 30:26. It is used to describe the men who had accompanied David during his time of distress, whom he later honors with gifts. The contrast is striking: those who were once considered ne’mivzeh, or vile and cast aside, are now recipients of royal favor. This usage highlights how quickly social standing can shift in the biblical narrative.
The term carries a heavy emotional weight, reflecting the pain of rejection and the loss of dignity. It serves as a reminder that worth is not determined by current social status but by divine perspective. The word stands in sharp contrast to honor and respect, marking the lowest point of human valuation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life strips away your status or leaves you feeling overlooked, the word ne’mivzeh reminds us that human judgment is often shallow. It describes a state of being treated with contempt, as if you have no value in the eyes of others. This pain of rejection is real, yet it does not define your true worth before God.
In 1 Samuel 15:9, this term highlights what people discard when they prioritize their own desires over divine instruction. The Israelites spared the best livestock and destroyed what was considered vile refuse. Yet, for you, there is no such discard pile. Your value is not determined by how society views your current circumstances or past mistakes.
God sees beyond the surface of social standing. He honors those whom the world might cast aside. This truth offers comfort when you feel undervalued, knowing that your identity is secure in His sight, not in the shifting opinions of people around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- despised1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְמִבְזָ֥ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 15:9
But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, of the cattle, of the fat calves, of the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to utterly destroy them; but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
This verse uses the word to describe the refuse and worthless items that Saul destroyed, contrasting them with what he spared for his own benefit.