נְסַךְ (ne.sakh)
ne.sakh
drink offering
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun nesakh refers to a drink offering, specifically a liquid libation poured out as part of worship. In the Hebrew tradition, this practice typically involved wine or other liquids offered alongside animal sacrifices, symbolizing dedication to God through the act of pouring.
This specific form appears only once in the Bible, in Ezra 7:17. The verse records King Artaxerxes’ decree allowing the returnees to use silver and gold from the royal treasury to purchase bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings, as well as grain and drink offerings (nesakh). This single occurrence highlights the official, state-sanctioned nature of the restored temple worship under Persian rule.
As an Aramaic term, nesakh is a variant of the more common Hebrew nesekh (H5262). While the Hebrew word appears frequently in the Torah and historical books to describe regular cultic practices, this Aramaic spelling reflects the linguistic context of the exile and post-exilic period. Its presence in Ezra underscores the continuity of Israel’s worship traditions even as they adapted to a foreign imperial language.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nesakh refers to a liquid offering, typically wine, poured out to God alongside animal sacrifices. In Ezra 7:17, King Artaxerxes permits the use of royal funds to purchase these offerings for the temple in Jerusalem. This detail highlights how worship continued even under foreign rule, showing that devotion to God remains valid regardless of political circumstances.
For your faith, this reminds us that our acts of giving and dedication are seen by God, whether they come from personal resources or unexpected sources. It encourages a spirit of generosity and trust in God’s provision, knowing that He values the heart behind the offering more than the amount given.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ drink offerings/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/נִסְכֵּי/ה֑וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 7:17
Therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
This verse uniquely uses the Aramaic term nesakh in a royal decree, linking state resources to temple worship and showing God's sovereignty over foreign kings.