נֵרְגָּ֑ל (ne.re.gal)
ne.re.gal
Nergal
N:N-M-TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-T
Word Overview
The proper noun Nergal refers to a major deity in ancient Assyrian and Babylonian religion, with a name that translates to "hero." This figure was not merely a local idol but one of the chief gods of the dominant empires of the Near East, representing significant political and spiritual power for those who lived under their influence.
In the biblical record, this name appears only once, in 2 Kings 17:30. The text notes that the men from Cuth, resettled by the Assyrian king to repopulate Samaria, set up Nergal as their god. This single mention highlights the religious diversity and syncretism present in the region during the period of Israel’s divided monarchy, illustrating how foreign worship practices were integrated into local communities.
The inclusion of this specific deity underscores the historical reality of competing spiritual allegiances. By naming Nergal directly, the biblical author acknowledges the tangible presence of these powerful foreign cults without validating their theology, focusing instead on the narrative of Israel’s neighbors and the challenges of maintaining distinct religious identity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Nergal appears in Scripture as a reminder of the intense spiritual pressure faced by ancient Israel’s neighbors. When foreign peoples were resettled in Samaria, they brought their own gods to the land, including Nergal, a deity associated with war and the underworld. This historical detail shows us that faith was not just an internal belief but a public allegiance, often tied to political power and cultural identity.
For believers today, this passage invites reflection on what we truly worship. In a world filled with competing voices and values, it is easy to be drawn into systems that demand our ultimate loyalty. The biblical record does not validate these foreign gods but simply notes their presence to highlight the challenge of remaining distinct in faith.
We are encouraged to examine our own hearts for any modern equivalents—anything that competes for the devotion due only to God. By recognizing the emptiness of idols past and present, we can find greater freedom and clarity in our relationship with the Creator who alone deserves our highest honor.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Nergal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נֵֽרְגַ֑ל1×