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נְסִיךְ

𐤍𐤎𐤉𐤊

nᵉçîyk

H5257 noun

SILEX Entry

Root נסך to pour, to dedicate, to install

Definition

A person of high status, dignitary, or leader, particularly one who is an official, noble, or prince; occasionally, a libation or drink offering, especially in poetic or figurative contexts. The primary meaning concerns an individual set apart or invested (often ritually), but in some contexts can refer to an offering poured out as part of religious rites. The word thus carries notions of selected leadership, official investiture, and, rarely, the act of a libation.

Semantic Range

leader, prince, noble, chief dignitary, one installed (by investiture), libation, drink offering

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root נָסַךְ (n-s-k), meaning 'to pour' or 'to pour out,' especially of a liquid or a libation. נְסִיךְ develops from this root to refer metaphorically to someone 'poured out,' that is, set apart or consecrated—thus a prince, ruler, or dignitary. In poetic usage, it returns to the root's primary sense as a 'libation' or 'drink offering.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, נְסִיךְ most frequently refers to a ruler, prince, or person of prominent status, such as tribal or local leaders (e.g., Psalm 83:12; Micah 5:4). Occasionally, in poetic texts, the term is used figuratively for a libation (e.g., Psalm 2:6, where context suggests kingly investiture as 'setting' or 'installing' by pouring out oil or other substance, echoing rituals of anointing). The term is not limited to Israelite leaders but is used also of dignitaries of other peoples. English translations sometimes use 'prince' or 'duke,' but 'noble' or 'ruler' may more accurately capture the breadth of its usage. The connection with molten images (as a poured casting) is minimal and debated; most occurrences align with persons of authority. Later in post-biblical Hebrew, the term receded in favor of other words such as שָׂר (sar) for 'prince/ruler.' There is some difference between נְסִיךְ and נָשִׂיא (nasiʾ: 'chieftain'), the latter usually denoting more specific tribal or communal leadership.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from נָסַךְ; properly, something poured out, i.e. a libation; also a molten image; by implication, a prince (as anointed); drink offering, duke, prince(-ipal).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נסך (n-s-k) — to pour, to dedicate, to install

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4537 מָסַךְ cast-metal image
H4541 מַסֵּכָה the cast-metal image
H4545 מַסֶּכֶת the spread-out textile
H5258 נָסַךְ I will pour out
H5259 נָסַךְ the interwoven one

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5257-03 נְסִיכֵ֣י nesikhey HNcmpc princes installed leaders of 3
H5257-04 נְסִֽכֵי/הֶם֩ nesikheyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their molten images their installed leaders 1
H5257-02 נְסִיכֵֽ/מוֹ nesikhemo HNcmpc/Sp3mp their princes their installed leaders 1
H5257-01 נְסִיכָ֑/ם nesikham HNcmsc/Sp3mp of their drink offerings their installed prince 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5257-01 Deuteronomy 32:38 נְסִיכָ֑/ם nesikham HNcmsc/Sp3mp of their drink offerings their installed prince
H5257-03 Joshua 13:21 נְסִיכֵ֣י nesikhey HNcmpc princes installed leaders of
H5257-03 Ezekiel 32:30 נְסִיכֵ֥י nesikhey HNcmpc princes of installed leaders of
H5257-03 Micah 5:4 נְסִיכֵ֥י nesikhey HNcmpc princes installed leaders of
H5257-02 Psalms 83:12 נְסִיכֵֽ/מוֹ nesikhemo HNcmpc/Sp3mp their princes their installed leaders
H5257-04 Daniel 11:8 נְסִֽכֵי/הֶם֩ nesikheyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their molten images their installed leaders
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