נַ֫עַר (na.ar)
na.ar
youth
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 212 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun naʿar describes a person in the transitional stage between childhood and full adulthood, covering ages from infancy to roughly twenty years old. Its meaning shifts depending on context: it can refer simply to a boy or lad, as seen when Moses is found in the Nile (Exodus 2:6) or when Samuel is still young in the temple (1 Samuel 3:1). In these instances, the word highlights physical youth and developing maturity.
More frequently, naʿar denotes social status rather than age. It functions as a term for a servant, retainer, or attendant who serves a master. This usage appears when Joseph is called a shepherd boy serving his brothers (Genesis 37:2) or when Elisha’s servant Gehazi accompanies him (2 Kings 5:20). The lexical data shows this functional sense occurs in nearly half of its biblical appearances, linking the concept of youth with service and dependence.
Translators often render naʿar as "boy," "lad," or "servant" to capture this dual nature. The word carries no inherent negative connotation; instead, it reflects a common ancient household structure where younger members were integral to family labor and protection. Its broad range allows it to describe both the vulnerability of a child and the loyalty of a trusted attendant.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word naʿar captures a vital season of life that bridges childhood dependence and adult responsibility. It describes a young person who is growing into their identity, whether as a child learning to trust or a servant offering loyalty. This dual nature reminds us that age does not dictate value; God often uses those in transition to display His strength and care.
In the story of Hagar and Ishmael, we see this clearly. When they were cast out into the wilderness, God heard the voice of the boy (Genesis 21:17). He did not wait for Ishmael to become a powerful man before intervening; He provided water and promise while he was still vulnerable. This shows that our current stage of life, however uncertain or young it may feel, is never too early for divine attention.
Whether you are navigating the responsibilities of service like Joseph or facing the fears of youth like Ishmael, this word offers comfort. Your growth is seen, and your place in God’s plan is secure. He accompanies you through every step of becoming who He created you to be.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 212 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ lad32×
- the/ young man23×
- the/ young men11×
- and/ the/ lad10×
- servant/ his9×
- [the] young men of9×
- a young man8×
- the/ servant7×
- servants/ his7×
- to/ servant/ his6×
- from/ the/ young men6×
- [the] servant of6×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/נַּ֔עַר15×
- הַ/נַּ֖עַר14×
- הַ/נַּ֙עַר֙11×
- נַ֣עַר9×
- נַ֥עַר6×
- וְ/הַ/נַּ֖עַר5×
- הַ/נְּעָרִ֔ים5×
- נַעֲר֔/וֹ4×
- נַ֔עַר4×
- הַ/נַּ֥עַר4×
- הַ/נַּ֛עַר4×
- הַ/נְּעָרִ֖ים4×
Key Verses
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Genesis 21:17
God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
God hears the voice of the boy Ishmael in his distress, showing His immediate care for the vulnerable.
-
Genesis 37:2
This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. Joseph brought an evil report of them to their father.
Joseph is identified as a naʿar at seventeen, highlighting how young people can be central to family dynamics and God's unfolding story.
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Genesis 22:5
Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there. We will worship, and come back to you.”
Abraham distinguishes between the 'young men' who stay behind and 'the boy' (Isaac) who accompanies him, emphasizing Isaac's unique role in the covenant.
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Exodus 2:6
She opened it, and saw the child, and behold, the baby cried. She had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”
Pharaoh’s daughter recognizes the naʿar as a Hebrew child, marking the beginning of Moses’ journey from vulnerability to leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word naʿar mean?
Is naʿar always used for children?
How is naʿar different from other words for child?
Every Occurrence (212 verses across 23 books)
Genesis 24 verses
I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me:…
Genesis 18:7Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it.
Genesis 19:4But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the…
Genesis 21:12God said to Abraham, “Don’t let it be grievous in your sight because of the boy, and because of your servant. In all…
Genesis 21:17God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you,…
Genesis 21:18Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him with your hand. For I will make him a great nation.”
Genesis 21:19God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the container with water, and gave the boy a drink.
Genesis 21:20God was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and as he grew up, he became an archer.
Genesis 22:3Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey; and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son.…
Genesis 22:5Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there. We will worship, and come…
Genesis 22:12He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not…
Genesis 22:19So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba. Abraham lived at Beersheba.
Genesis 25:27The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents.
Genesis 34:19The young man didn’t wait to do this thing, because he had delight in Jacob’s daughter, and he was honored above all…
Genesis 37:2This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his…
Genesis 41:12There was with us there a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard, and we told him, and he interpreted…
Genesis 43:8Judah said to Israel, his father, “Send the boy with me, and we’ll get up and go, so that we may live, and not die,…
Genesis 44:22We said to my lord, ‘The boy can’t leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’
Genesis 44:30Now therefore when I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us; since his life is bound up in the…
Genesis 44:31it will happen, when he sees that the boy is no more, that he will die. Your servants will bring down the gray hairs of…
Genesis 44:32For your servant became collateral for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I don’t bring him to you, then I will bear the…
Genesis 44:33Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his…
Genesis 44:34For how will I go up to my father, if the boy isn’t with me?—lest I see the evil that will come on my father.”
Genesis 48:16the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my…