← H5252 H5254 →

נָסַג

𐤍𐤎𐤂

nâçag

H5253 verb

SILEX Entry

Root נסג to recede, to retreat, to withdraw

Definition

To move away, withdraw, or retreat, whether spatially, relationally, or figuratively. נָסַג is most often used to describe physical or metaphorical distancing, such as the retreat of armies, the withdrawal of individuals, or the distancing of favor or blessing. The term can indicate both voluntary and involuntary movement away from a position, possession, or relationship.

Semantic Range

to move backward, to retreat (military), to withdraw oneself, to be removed (from position or favor), to turn back, to be set back or driven away, to turn away (from someone or something)

Root / Etymology

Root: נסג. The exact derivation is somewhat uncertain. The verb belongs to the group of roots related to motion or change of state, with a basic idea of 'moving backward' or 'withdrawing', distinguished from more general terms for going (הלך) or turning aside (סור). It appears to be of common Semitic stock, though a precise cognate set is not attested in all related languages.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, נָסַג primarily refers to physical retreat, often in military or adversarial contexts (e.g., retreating armies or enemies withdrawing). It may also describe the withdrawal of privilege, protection, or goodness, such as when the text depicts favor or blessing 'being removed' from a person or group. Occasionally, the word is used metaphorically for the distancing of relationships or for religious apostasy, though the latter is less frequent. Compared to verbs like סור ('to turn aside, depart') or רחק ('to be far, keep away'), נָסַג highlights the aspect of movement away from a position that was formerly occupied, sometimes with a nuance of shame, defeat, or loss. In later Hebrew (e.g., post-biblical), the root becomes rare, and its usage is largely frozen in scriptural contexts. Standard English translations as 'depart', 'recede', 'remove', or 'retreat' are generally accurate, but may miss the nuance of movement away from an established status or position.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to retreat; departing away, remove, take (hold), turn away.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

נסג (n-s-g) — recede, retreat, withdraw

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5253-03 תַּ֭סֵּג taseg HVhj2ms remove may you cause to retreat 2
H5253-08 יִסַּ֖ג yisag HVNi3ms shall overtake he will withdraw himself 1
H5253-04 תַסִּיג֙ tasig HVhi2ms you-shall-move she will cause to reach 1
H5253-01 כְּ/מַסִּיגֵ֖י kemasigey HR/Vhrmpc like those who move like those who drive back 1
H5253-05 וְ/הֻסַּ֤ג vehusag HC/VHq3ms and justice is turned and was driven back 1
H5253-06 וְ/נָס֖וֹג venasog HC/VNa and turning away and withdrawing-back 1
H5253-02 מַסִּ֖יג masig HVhrmsa who moves one who drives back 1
H5253-07 וְ/תַסֵּג֙ vetaseg HC/Vhi2ms and you will gather and you will drive back 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5253-04 Deuteronomy 19:14 תַסִּיג֙ tasig HVhi2ms you-shall-move she will cause to reach
H5253-02 Deuteronomy 27:17 מַסִּ֖יג masig HVhrmsa who moves one who drives back
H5253-06 Isaiah 59:13 וְ/נָס֖וֹג venasog HC/VNa and turning away and withdrawing-back
H5253-05 Isaiah 59:14 וְ/הֻסַּ֤ג vehusag HC/VHq3ms and justice is turned and was driven back
H5253-01 Hosea 5:10 כְּ/מַסִּיגֵ֖י kemasigey HR/Vhrmpc like those who move like those who drive back
H5253-08 Micah 2:6 יִסַּ֖ג yisag HVNi3ms shall overtake he will withdraw himself
H5253-07 Micah 6:14 וְ/תַסֵּג֙ vetaseg HC/Vhi2ms and you will gather and you will drive back
H5253-03 Proverbs 22:28 תַּ֭סֵּג taseg HVhj2ms remove may you cause to retreat
H5253-03 Proverbs 23:10 תַּ֭סֵּג taseg HVhj2ms remove may you cause to retreat
← H5252 Hebrew Lexicon H5254 →