נְכַס

𐤍𐤊𐤎

nᵉkaç

H5232 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A possession, property, or valuable object; especially denotes accumulated wealth or goods, and, by extension, treasury or resources in financial contexts. In Aramaic usage within the Hebrew Bible, specifically refers to items governed, collected, or set aside, often by an authority.

Semantic Range

property, possession, goods, treasure, wealth, assets, treasury, resources

Root / Etymology

Aramaic noun derived from the Hebrew root נכס (n-k-s), which conveys the notion of gathering, acquiring, or possessing. The form נְכַס represents an Aramaic morphological structure, related to but distinct from the Hebrew noun נֶכֶס (neḵes). The root itself is associated with the act of acquiring or possessing valuables or goods.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term נְכַס occurs in the Aramaic sections of the biblical text (notably in Ezra), reflecting the administrative and economic language of the Persian period. Its usage denotes wealth, treasure, or resources, usually in the context of tribute, taxation, or state-held property. The closely related Hebrew noun נֶכֶס is similarly used for possessions or property but appears with much less frequency. Standard English translations like 'treasure' or 'goods' can obscure the administrative or economic nuances present in the ancient context, especially its association with state or royal resources. In the Persian and early Hellenistic eras, נְכַס often relates to governmental assets rather than private property. The later usage in Jewish Aramaic continues this sense of material wealth or assets, though the distinction between private and public property depends on context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to נֶכֶס; {treasure}; goods.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

נכס (n-k-s) — acquire, possess, gather valuables

Root נכס to acquire, to possess, to gather valuables

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H5232-01 נִכְסִ֖ין nikhesin ANcmpa of goods acquired assets of goods 1
H5232-02 וּ/מִ/נִּכְסֵ֣י uminikhesey AC/R/Ncmpc and-from-goods and from possessions of and from the possessions of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H5232-02 Ezra 6:8 וּ/מִ/נִּכְסֵ֣י uminikhesey AC/R/Ncmpc and-from-goods and from possessions of and from the possessions of
H5232-01 Ezra 7:26 נִכְסִ֖ין nikhesin ANcmpa of goods acquired assets of goods