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נֹעָה (no.ah)

no.ah

Noah

H5270 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 4 verses

N:N-F-P

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
4 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N-F-P

Word Overview

The name Noʿah identifies a specific woman from the tribe of Manasseh, recorded in the census lists of Numbers and Joshua. She appears as one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, alongside her sisters Mahlah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. The sources note that her name translates to "motion," a meaning that stands out among the names of her siblings.

While the biblical narrative does not describe her personal actions in detail, her inclusion in these genealogical records is significant. Her presence highlights the legal precedents established by her family regarding inheritance rights for daughters when there were no sons. The name itself, meaning motion or movement, provides a linguistic snapshot of the era, distinguishing her within the tribal records of the wilderness generation.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Noʿah means "motion" or "movement," a fitting title for a woman whose life helped shift legal traditions in ancient Israel. She is one of five sisters who stood before Moses and the leaders to claim their father’s inheritance. Their request was not born of greed, but of a desire for justice and continuity when no male heir existed. This moment marked a significant change in how land and family lines were preserved.

Her story reminds us that faithfulness often looks like standing up for what is right, even when it requires challenging established norms. The inclusion of her name in the census lists shows that God values each person’s role in His larger plan. We see here a community where women could speak, be heard, and effect change through lawful means.

Today, this account encourages believers to trust that their voices matter within the body of Christ. Just as Noʿah helped establish precedents for inheritance, we are called to participate in God’s work with courage and integrity. Her legacy is not just in a name, but in the lasting impact of her obedience and faith.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • and/ Noah3×
  • Noah1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • וְ/נֹעָ֔ה2×
  • נֹעָ֔ה1×
  • וְ/נֹעָ֖ה1×

Key Verses

  • Numbers 27:1
    Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

    This verse introduces the daughters’ formal approach to leadership, marking the moment they initiated the legal change regarding inheritance.

  • Numbers 26:33
    Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

    The census record preserves Noʿah’s name alongside her sisters, confirming their identity and status within the tribe of Manasseh.

  • Joshua 17:3
    But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

    This reference in Joshua confirms that the inheritance rights established earlier were actually implemented when the land was divided among the tribes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Noʿah in the Bible?

Noʿah is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, mentioned in Numbers and Joshua. She lived during the wilderness generation and was part of a group of women who successfully petitioned for their right to inherit their father’s land.

What does the name Noʿah mean?

The name Noʿah translates to "motion" or "movement." This meaning is significant because her actions helped move Israelite law forward, establishing new precedents for inheritance rights.

Why is Noʿah important in biblical history?

She is important because her case led to a change in the Law regarding female inheritance. When there were no sons, daughters could now inherit land, ensuring family names and property remained within their lineage.

Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)

Numbers 3 verses
Numbers 26:33

Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah,…

Numbers 27:1

Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the…

Numbers 36:11

for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their father’s brothers’…

Joshua 1 verse