נִצָּה (nits.tsah)
nits.tsah
flower
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun nitsah refers to a blossom or flower, specifically one that shines brightly among its leaves. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times within poetic imagery found in Job and Isaiah.
In these contexts, the word evokes the delicate beauty of nature’s ephemeral blooms. Its usage highlights the transient yet brilliant quality of life, serving as a vivid metaphor for human frailty when contrasted with divine permanence. The sources suggest the term may derive from a root meaning to shine, emphasizing the visual brilliance of the flower against its foliage.
Translators typically render nitsah as "flower" or "blossom," capturing the sense of something newly opened and radiant. This specific vocabulary choice underscores the fragility of earthly existence, inviting readers to reflect on the contrast between fleeting natural beauty and enduring spiritual truth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nitsah describes a flower that shines brightly among its leaves, capturing a moment of radiant beauty in nature. It appears only twice in Scripture, used to paint a picture of delicate, fleeting life. In Job and Isaiah, this blossom serves as a gentle reminder of how temporary our earthly existence can be compared to the eternal nature of God.
When we see this image, it invites us to appreciate the small, beautiful moments in our lives while keeping our hope anchored in what lasts forever. The brilliance of the flower points to the care God takes in creation, yet its quick fading teaches us to look beyond temporary circumstances. This contrast helps us find peace, knowing that while seasons change, His faithfulness remains constant.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- blossom/ his1×
- blossom1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִצָּתֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- נִצָּ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Job 15:33
He will shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and will cast off his flower as the olive tree.
This verse uses the flower to illustrate how quickly a person can lose their vitality and fruitfulness, shaking it off just as easily as an unripe grape.
-
Isaiah 18:5
For before the harvest, when the blossom is over, and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and he will cut down and take away the spreading branches.
Here the blossom represents a brief period of growth that is soon followed by judgment, showing how human plans can be cut short before they mature.