נִצְבָּה (nits.bah)
nits.bah
firmness
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun nitsbah, found only once in the Old Testament, conveys a sense of firmness or stability. It appears in Daniel 2:41 within Nebuchadnezzar’s dream interpretation, where it describes the mixed nature of the feet made of iron and clay. The text suggests that while the structure possesses some strength, its composition is inherently unstable.
Its rarity makes this single occurrence particularly significant. By using a word that literally means "firmness" in a context describing a divided kingdom, the author highlights a paradox: the regime appears solid on the surface but lacks true cohesion. This linguistic choice underscores the theological point that human empires, no matter how powerful they seem, are ultimately fragile when they rely on their own strength rather than divine order.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nitsbah appears only once in Scripture, found in Daniel’s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. It describes the feet of a great statue made of iron mixed with clay. While the iron suggests strength and durability, the clay introduces weakness and instability. This rare term captures a paradox: something that looks firm on the outside but lacks true cohesion within.
For your faith, this offers a gentle reminder about human systems and our own lives. We often build structures—careers, relationships, or plans—that appear solid but rest on fragile foundations. When we rely solely on our own strength without anchoring in God’s order, we may find ourselves divided or unstable.
Yet this passage points beyond human fragility to divine sovereignty. God reveals what is hidden and brings clarity to confusion. In times of uncertainty, you can trust that He holds history in His hands. Your stability does not come from the strength of your own efforts, but from resting in the One who establishes all things according to His purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- firmness/ the1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִצְבְּתָ֥/א1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:41
Whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay and part of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but there will be in it of the strength of the iron, because you saw the iron mixed with miry clay.
This is the only occurrence of nitsbah in Scripture, where it describes the deceptive strength within a divided kingdom that appears solid but lacks true unity.