נָסַךְ
𐤍𐤎𐤊
nâçak
H5258 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To pour out, typically referring to the act of pouring (liquid or molten substance) either as an offering (libation), or in metalworking (casting molten metal). The term can extend metaphorically to the act of installing or setting up, especially in ceremonial contexts (such as establishing an image or cultic object). In worship, it primarily connotes pouring out a liquid as a ritual offering, and by extension, can refer to setting in place or dedicating objects in sacred or royal contexts.
Semantic Range
to pour out (generally), to offer a libation (cultic context), to cast (molten metal), to anoint or install (by ritual), to set up or dedicate (object or image); to cover (with liquid), to melt
Root / Etymology
From the root נ-ס-ך (נסך), which at the root level means 'to pour, pour out, cast.' The verb is basic (Qal), and various stems expand on the idea of pouring in ritual, sacrificial, or technical (metalworking) domains.
Historical & Contextual Notes
נָסַךְ appears across multiple genres in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in cultic and ritual texts describing libations—liquid offerings poured onto an altar or at the base of it as part of sacrificial rites. It also appears in contexts describing casting metal, especially in the production of images, idols, or other implements. In monarchic and cultic contexts, the word may convey the formal installation or dedication of a person, image, or object, usually with ritual aspects. In post-exilic and later biblical usage, the ritual sense is retained, but the nuance between libation and installation can be context-sensitive. English translations often separate meanings into 'pour (out)', 'cast', or 'set up', but the underlying ritual act is a common element. Compare with related verbs like יָצַק (yatzak, 'to pour'), which focuses on the physical action without necessary ritual or technical connotations.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint aking; cover, melt, offer, (cause to) pour (out), set (up).
Bantu Hebrew
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נסך (n-s-k) — pouring, libation-offering, casting (metal)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4537 | מָסַךְ | cast-metal image |
| H4541 | מַסֵּכָה | the cast-metal image |
| H4545 | מַסֶּכֶת | the spread-out textile |
| H5257 | נְסִיךְ | their installed prince |
| H5259 | נָסַךְ | the interwoven one |
Word Forms
16 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5258-11 |
וְ/הַסֵּ֤ךְ | vehasekhe | HC/Vha |
and pour | and to pour out | 4 |
H5258-08 |
וַ/יַּסֵּ֤ךְ | vayasekhe | HC/Vhw3ms |
and he poured | and he caused to pour out | 3 |
H5258-03 |
נָסַ֨ךְ | nasakhe | HVqp3ms |
casts | he poured out | 3 |
H5258-07 |
וּ/לְ/הַסֵּ֥ךְ | ulehasekhe | HC/R/Vhc |
and to pour | and to pour out | 2 |
H5258-16 |
יֻסַּ֖ךְ | yusakhe | HVHi3ms |
it will be poured | he will be poured-out | 2 |
H5258-15 |
יִסְּכ֨וּ | yisekhu | HVqi3mp |
they will pour | they will pour out | 1 |
H5258-09 |
וַ/יַּסִּ֥יכוּ | vayasikhu | HC/Vhw3mp |
and-they-poured-out | and they caused to pour out | 1 |
H5258-01 |
אַסִּ֣יךְ | asikhe | HVhi1cs |
will I pour out | I will pour out | 1 |
H5258-02 |
הַסֵּ֛ךְ | hasekhe | HVha |
you-shall-pour-out | to cause to pour out | 1 |
H5258-12 |
וְ/הַסֵּֽיךְ | vehaseykhe | HC/Vha |
and pour out | to cause to pour out | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
25 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5258-08 |
Genesis 35:14 | וַ/יַּסֵּ֤ךְ | vayasekhe | HC/Vhw3ms |
poured out | and he caused to pour out |
H5258-16 |
Exodus 25:29 | יֻסַּ֖ךְ | yusakhe | HVHi3ms |
it will be poured | he will be poured-out |
H5258-06 |
Exodus 30:9 | תִסְּכ֖וּ | tisekhu | HVqi2mp |
you-shall-pour | you (masculine plural) will pour out |
H5258-16 |
Exodus 37:16 | יֻסַּ֖ךְ | yusakhe | HVHi3ms |
to pour | he will be poured-out |
H5258-02 |
Numbers 28:7 | הַסֵּ֛ךְ | hasekhe | HVha |
you-shall-pour-out | to cause to pour out |
H5258-08 |
2 Samuel 23:16 | וַ/יַּסֵּ֥ךְ | vayasekhe | HC/Vhw3ms |
and poured | and he caused to pour out |
H5258-08 |
2 Kings 16:13 | וַ/יַּסֵּ֖ךְ | vayasekhe | HC/Vhw3ms |
and he poured | and he caused to pour out |
H5258-03 |
Isaiah 29:10 | נָסַ֨ךְ | nasakhe | HVqp3ms |
has poured | he poured out |
H5258-14 |
Isaiah 30:1 | וְ/לִ/נְסֹ֥ךְ | velinesokhe | HC/R/Vqc |
and to pour | and to pour out |
H5258-03 |
Isaiah 40:19 | נָסַ֣ךְ | nasakhe | HVqp3ms |
casts | he poured out |