← H5152 H5154 →

נָחוּשׁ

𐤍𐤇𐤅𐤔

nâchûwsh

H5153 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root נחש to shine, to practice divination (root meanings); in this form, 'made of copper or bronze, shiny, metallic'

Definition

Copper or bronze; a term denoting the metal itself in its natural or worked state, referring specifically to copper and copper alloys such as bronze (copper mixed with tin or other elements). Used adjectivally of metallic objects, equipment, or ornamentation, and at times figuratively for hardness or strength. Distinguished from pure gold or silver items, it refers to less precious, yet highly valued, durable metal used throughout the ancient Near East.

Semantic Range

copper, bronze, made of copper/bronze, bronze-colored, hard/unyielding (figurative), metallic

Root / Etymology

From the root נחש (nachash), which primarily means 'serpent,' but in related forms also refers to 'bronze' or 'copper.' The connection between 'serpent' and 'copper' is likely due to the reddish or burnished appearance of both. נָחוּשׁ (nâchûwsh) is a passive participle form referring to that which pertains to or is made of copper/bronze. The etymological link between serpent and bronze is debated, as it may also relate to brilliance or shining qualities.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In ancient Israelite society, 'נָחוּשׁ' referred to copper or bronze artifacts and not to modern brass (an alloy of copper and zinc). Bronze (copper alloyed with tin) was widespread in the Bronze Age and continued to be common in the Iron Age, especially for tools, weapons, or cultic objects. The term is also found in the description of constructed items (such as the 'bronze serpent' or furnishings of the tabernacle) and is sometimes used metaphorically to indicate firmness or impenetrability. English translations historically rendered 'נָחוּשׁ' as 'brass,' but this is anachronistic for the biblical period, since brass was not known in the ancient Near East; 'copper' or 'bronze' is more accurate. In post-exilic and later periods, the word retained its connotations of strength and value, and sometimes appears in figurative contexts. Distinct from the related noun נְחוֹשֶת (neḥōshet), which denotes the metal more specifically.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently passive participle of נָחַשׁ (perhaps in the sense of ringing), i.e. bell-metal; or from the red color of the throat of a serpent (נָחָשׁ, as denominative) when hissing); coppery, i.e. (figuratively) hard; of brass.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

נחש (n-ḥ-sh) — shining, serpent, divination; bronze/copper (by extension)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5154 נְחוּשָׁה copper-bronze
H5173 נַחַשׁ act of divination
H5174 נְחָשׁ copper
H5178 נְחֹשֶׁת in the bright-metal
H5180 נְחֻשְׁתָּן Bronze-Thing

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5153-01 נָחֽוּשׁ nachush HAamsa bronze bronze-made 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5153-01 Job 6:12 נָחֽוּשׁ nachush HAamsa bronze bronze-made
← H5152 Hebrew Lexicon H5154 →