נְסַךְ (ne.sakh)
ne.sakh
to pour
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nesakh means to pour out a liquid, specifically in the context of offering a sacrifice. In the Old Testament, this action typically involves pouring wine or oil onto an altar as part of a ritual gift to God. It is not merely a physical act but a formal religious gesture that accompanies other offerings.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Daniel 2:46. There, King Nebuchadnezzar falls prostrate before Daniel after the prophet interprets his dream. The text states that the king offered nesakh to him, likely pouring a libation as a sign of reverence and submission to the God Daniel served. This single instance highlights how the term can extend beyond temple rituals to acknowledge divine power in foreign contexts.
While rare, nesakh reminds readers that ancient worship often involved tangible acts like pouring liquids. These gestures were not empty symbols but meaningful expressions of devotion, respect, or supplication, rooted in the cultural practices of the time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nesakh describes the act of pouring out a liquid, often wine or oil, as part of a ritual offering. In the ancient world, this was a tangible sign of devotion and reverence. It moved beyond simple words to show deep respect through physical action.
In Daniel 2:46, King Nebuchadnezzar pours a libation before Daniel after the prophet interprets his dream. This rare use shows how such gestures could acknowledge God’s power even outside standard temple settings. For us, it reminds that true worship involves both heart and deed, honoring God with our whole lives.
When we face situations where divine wisdom is revealed, we can respond with humility and gratitude. Like the king, we may feel compelled to show respect through actions that reflect our awe at God’s work in our midst.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ offer in sacrifice1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/נַסָּ֥כָה1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 2:46
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an offering and sweet odors to him.
This verse uniquely applies nesakh to a foreign king's act of reverence toward Daniel, highlighting how the term extends beyond standard temple rituals to acknowledge divine power in unexpected contexts.