נְפַק (ne.phaq)
ne.phaq
to go out
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nēpaq simply means to go out or come forth. It appears nine times in the Old Testament, with a notable concentration in the books of Daniel and Ezra. In these contexts, it describes physical movement from one place to another, such as people leaving a city or objects being brought into view.
Its basic sense is straightforward spatial transition. The sources distinguish between the simple active form, where someone exits a location, and the causative form, which implies causing something to emerge. For instance, in Ezra 1:4, it describes how the exiles are to be sent out from their places of residence, highlighting its use for organized departure rather than random wandering.
This word lacks the complex theological weight of terms like shuv (to turn back). Instead, it serves as a functional descriptor for movement. Its limited occurrence suggests it was a common, everyday term for exiting, requiring no special emphasis beyond the act of leaving itself. Translators typically render it as "go out" or "send out," preserving its clear, literal meaning without adding metaphorical layers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nēpaq describes a simple, physical movement: going out or coming forth. In the Old Testament, it often appears in historical records where people leave a place or objects are moved from one location to another. For example, in Daniel 3:26, King Nebuchadnezzar calls Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to come out of the fiery furnace. This moment highlights how God can bring His servants safely through trials and into the light.
While this verb does not carry deep theological symbolism on its own, it reminds us that God is active in our daily movements. Whether we are leaving a safe place or stepping into a new situation, He is present. The exiles in Ezra were sent out to rebuild their community, showing that God guides even the practical steps of our lives.
When you face a transition, remember that God is with you as you go. You do not need to fear the unknown, because He has already walked through fire with others before you. Trust that He will guide your steps just as He guided those who came out of Babylon and the furnace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he had brought out2×
- he brought out2×
- they went forth1×
- they had brought out1×
- it went out1×
- he went out1×
- come out!1×
- and/ [was] coming out1×
- [were] coming out1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַנְפֵּק֙2×
- פֻּ֣קוּ1×
- נָֽפְקִ֗ין1×
- נֶפְקַ֔ת1×
- נְפַ֣ק1×
- נְפַ֙קָה֙1×
- וְ/נָפֵק֙1×
- הַנְפֵּ֨ק1×
- הַנְפֵּ֛ק1×
- הַנְפִּ֗קוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 3:26
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the middle of the fire.
This verse shows God’s power to protect His servants, as they come out of the fire unharmed after calling on Him.
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Ezra 5:14
The gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, those Cyrus the king also took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor.
Here, the word describes the restoration of sacred vessels, showing how God brings back what was lost for His purposes.
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Daniel 2:13
So the decree went out, and the wise men were to be slain. They sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.
This occurrence highlights a decree that went out to kill wise men, setting the stage for Daniel’s deliverance through wisdom.