נוּט
𐤍𐤅𐤈
nûwṭ
H5120 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To waver or sway, especially physically; to totter, shake, or move unsteadily. The verb often expresses physical trembling or shaking movement, but can also extend to meanings such as to shift position, to be unsettled, or to be dislodged, especially under force or pressure. In poetic usage, it may denote the trembling of the earth, mountains, or foundations, or the wavering and instability of people.
Semantic Range
to tremble, shake, be shaken, quiver, to move or sway physically, to stagger or totter, to be displaced or removed, to waver in resolve or faith (figurative)
Root / Etymology
Root: נוט (nun-vav-tet). The root carries the sense of inclination or movement from a stable position, often implying swaying or shifting. The verb form reflects this root sense, primarily as physical movement or trembling, and by extension, instability or wavering more generally.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In its various occurrences, נוּט is used to describe the shaking of the earth (e.g., during quakes or divine intervention), the tottering of structures, or the instability of individuals or peoples. The imagery is often employed in poetic or prophetic texts to underscore a disruption or the removal of security. While the Strong's gloss 'to quake; be moved' captures core aspects, modern study recognizes both literal and figurative uses, ranging from physical trembling to metaphorical unsteadiness in belief or social position. It is distinct from related roots such as מוט (m-w-t, to totter or be moved/removed), though their meanings overlap in some contexts. In exilic and post-exilic literature, the term maintains these senses but is also occasionally used in cosmic or metaphysical contexts, reflecting heightened interest in the instability of the created order.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
to quake; be moved.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
נוּט (nûwṭ) — to sway, to shake, to be displaced, to be unstable
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5120-01 |
תָּנ֥וּט | tanut | HVqi3fs |
let-shake | she will totter | it will totter | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5120-01 |
Psalms 99:1 | תָּנ֥וּט | tanut | HVqi3fs |
let-shake | she will totter | it will totter |