נָשָׁה (na.shah)
na.shah
to lend
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nāśâh means to lend money or goods, specifically in a financial context where the lender expects repayment. It appears ten times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Deuteronomy, Nehemiah, and Jeremiah. The word distinguishes itself by focusing on the act of providing credit rather than giving a gift, establishing a relationship of debtor and creditor.
In its basic Qal form, it describes the action of lending, while the participle can function as a noun for "creditor." The Hiphil stem also carries this meaning. This term is central to biblical laws regarding economic justice, particularly in Deuteronomy 15:2-3, where Moses instructs Israelites to cancel debts owed by fellow Hebrews during the Sabbatical year, highlighting a tension between commercial practice and communal care.
The word’s theological weight lies in its intersection with covenant law. It was not merely a transaction but a social bond regulated by divine commandments to prevent perpetual poverty among God’s people. Translators typically render it as "lend" or "loan," preserving the sense of temporary provision rather than permanent transfer.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we think about lending, it often feels like a cold transaction between strangers. In the ancient world, however, this word carried the weight of community survival. It describes the act of providing credit to a neighbor in need, creating a bond where one person’s surplus becomes another’s lifeline. This was not just business; it was an expression of covenant care, ensuring that no one fell into permanent destitution.
The Bible challenges us to view our resources as tools for sustaining others. By lending freely and releasing debts when appropriate, we reflect a God who provides without keeping score. This practice protects the vulnerable and maintains the dignity of those facing hardship. It invites us to look beyond our own security and consider how we might support our community with generosity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [are] lending3×
- you will lend1×
- people have lent1×
- he will lend1×
- as the/ creditor1×
- and/ the/ creditor1×
- a creditor1×
- [is one] of/ creditors/ my1×
- I have lent1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נֹשִׁ֥ים2×
- תַשֶּׁ֥ה1×
- נֹשֶׁ֣ה1×
- נָשִׁ֥יתִי1×
- נָֽשׁוּ\־1×
- נ֭וֹשֶׁה1×
- מִ/נּוֹשַׁ֔/י1×
- כַּ/נֹּשֶׁ֕ה1×
- יַשֶּׁ֖ה1×
- וְ/הַ֨/נֹּשֶׁ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 15:2
This is the way it shall be done: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not require payment from his neighbor and his brother, because Yahweh’s release has been proclaimed.
This verse establishes the radical command to release debts owed by fellow Israelites, showing that lending is regulated by divine mercy rather than strict commercial law.
-
Nehemiah 5:10
I likewise, my brothers and my servants, lend them money and grain. Please let us stop this usury.
Nehemiah uses this term to expose the injustice of charging interest to his own people, highlighting how lending can become a tool of oppression if not governed by love.
-
Deuteronomy 24:10
When you lend your neighbor any kind of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge.
The instruction to wait outside for a pledge demonstrates respect for the borrower’s dignity, ensuring that the act of lending does not violate personal boundaries or privacy.
-
II Kings 4:1
Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead. You know that your servant feared Yahweh. Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.”
This narrative illustrates the harsh reality of debt slavery, showing why biblical laws on lending were essential to prevent families from being torn apart by financial ruin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word nāśâh mean?
How does biblical lending differ from modern banking?
Why is this word important in Deuteronomy 15?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 6 books)
Deuteronomy 3 verses
This is the way it shall be done: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not…
Deuteronomy 24:10When you lend your neighbor any kind of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge.
Deuteronomy 24:11You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you lend shall bring the pledge outside to you.