נָשָׁא (na.sah)
na.sah
to deceive
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nasa means to deceive or beguile, appearing thirteen times in the Old Testament with a strong concentration in Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Obadiah. In its basic Qal form, it describes the act of leading someone astray through trickery or falsehood. The lexicon notes an infinitive absolute usage that intensifies the meaning to "utterly," suggesting a complete and total deception rather than a minor misunderstanding.
A significant portion of its biblical weight comes from the Niphal stem, where the subject is passive: to be beguiled or deceived. This grammatical shift highlights the vulnerability of those who fall for false promises. The sources indicate that this word often carries a moral dimension, describing how people are led away from truth by seductive but empty words, a theme prevalent in the prophetic warnings found in Jeremiah.
Translators typically render nasa as "deceive" or "beguile," capturing the nuance of a deliberate misdirection. Unlike simple lying, which might involve a single false statement, beguiling implies a more complex enticement that captivates the mind and heart. The term’s presence in Obadiah further underscores its association with the downfall of nations through pride and self-deception, where trust is placed in unreliable foundations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nasa describes a subtle but dangerous shift from truth into illusion. It is not merely a lie told once, but a process of being led astray by words that sound reasonable yet lead away from reality. This can happen when we trust in our own cleverness or when we listen to voices that promise safety without grounding us in what is true.
Scripture warns us often about this kind of deception. It reminds us that pride and self-reliance are common traps. When we feel secure because of our position or our plans, we may stop seeking the truth that keeps us safe. The Bible invites us to look beyond surface promises and find our footing in what is solid and enduring.
There is comfort in knowing that God sees through these illusions. He does not leave us to wander in confusion. Instead, He offers a clarity that helps us recognize when we are being misled. This awareness allows us to turn back toward honesty and trust, finding peace in what is real rather than chasing shadows.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he deceive3×
- he deceive/ you2×
- you have deceived1×
- you deceive1×
- they will deceive/ you1×
- they have been deceived1×
- they deceive1×
- it has deceived/ you1×
- it has deceived1×
- certainly <to deceive>1×
- <it> deceived/ me1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּשִּׁ֤אוּ1×
- נִשְּׁא֖וּ1×
- יַשִּׁיא֩1×
- יַשִּׁאֲ/ךָ֣1×
- יַשִּֽׁאֲ/ךָ֣1×
- יַשִּׁ֧יאוּ1×
- יַשִּׁ֥יא1×
- יַשִּׁ֥א1×
- הַשֵּׁ֨א1×
- הִשֵּׁ֜אתָ1×
- הִשִּׁיאַ֖/נִי1×
- הִשִּׁיאֶ֔/ךָ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:13
Yahweh God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
This verse shows the first recorded instance of deception, where the serpent’s words led to a fundamental break in trust and obedience.
-
Obadiah 1:3
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high, who says in his heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’
Here, self-deception is directly linked to pride, showing how an inflated view of one’s own security leads to inevitable downfall.
-
Jeremiah 4:10
Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Surely you have greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘You will have peace;’ whereas the sword reaches to the heart.”
The prophet expresses deep anguish over false assurances of peace that mask the coming reality of judgment and violence.
-
II Kings 19:10
“Tell Hezekiah king of Judah this: ‘Don’t let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
This occurrence highlights the danger of trusting in human power or idols, warning that such trust will ultimately fail to protect.