נָצָא (na.tsa)
na.tsa
to flee
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb natsa appears only once in the Old Testament, in Jeremiah 48:9. Its primary meaning is simply to fly or to take flight. In this specific context, it describes the rapid movement of a bird or creature taking off into the air.
While rare in Scripture, its usage here carries significant weight. The prophet uses this image of sudden flight to illustrate the swift and inevitable judgment coming upon Moab. The brevity of its occurrence highlights how powerful even a single word can be when placed in a prophetic declaration of impending doom.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word natsa describes the act of fleeing or taking flight. It appears just once in the Old Testament, in Jeremiah 48:9. Here, the prophet uses the image of a bird spreading its wings to escape. This vivid picture helps us understand how sudden and complete God's judgment can be when people turn away from Him.
While this specific verse speaks of Moab's downfall, the concept of flight reminds us that some situations require immediate action. We are not called to stay in places of spiritual danger or moral compromise. Instead, we are invited to run toward God's protection and truth. His word offers clarity when the path ahead seems unclear.
When life feels overwhelming, remember that God provides a way out. He does not leave us stranded in confusion. We can trust Him to guide our steps away from harm and into His peace. This promise holds true for every believer seeking refuge in His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [surely] flying1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נָצֹ֖א1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 48:9
Give wings to Moab, that she may fly and get herself away: and her cities will become a desolation, without anyone to dwell in them.
This verse uses the verb to describe Moab's sudden flight, illustrating how swiftly divine judgment can remove a nation from its land.