נֵץ
𐤍𐤑
nêts
H5322 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A blossom, flower, especially as it appears on a tree, emphasizing the vividness, freshness, or brilliance; also, a bird of prey (hawk or falcon), likely in reference to its swift or flashing flight. In botanical contexts, denotes the early blossoming of fruit trees. The term draws metaphorical connections between the visual qualities of a bright blossom and the swift, radiant flight of a raptor.
Semantic Range
blossom of a tree, flower, early flower, bloom; hawk, falcon, (bird of prey characterized by swift or sparkling movement)
Root / Etymology
From the root נָצַץ (נ-צ-צ), meaning 'to shine, sparkle, bloom.' The noun נֵץ derives from this root, bearing the sense of something that displays brilliance or a flourishing appearance, whether a blossom or—figuratively—the swift, bright movement of a bird of prey.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, נֵץ most commonly refers to the blossom of almond or fruit trees (e.g., Song 6:11), suggesting the beginning of fruit-bearing, marked by conspicuous, fresh blooms. The same term appears as a designation for a hawk or similar raptor in Levitical legal lists (Lev 11:16; Deut 14:15), where it belongs to the category of unclean birds. This double usage emerges from the metaphorical link between the bright, flashing appearance of a blossom and the rapid, darting motion associated with certain birds of prey. The later translations (LXX, Vulgate) often render the bird sense as 'hawk' or 'falcon.' English Bibles sometimes narrow the sense of the blossom-term, but the original includes early-stage inflorescence with emphasis on both visual and vital properties. There is no evidence that 'hawk' and 'blossom' refer to the same species or item; rather, the overlap is metaphorical, centering on the notion of brilliance or sudden vividness. The dual semantic fields do not reflect a shift over time but rather concurrent metaphorical usage. Closely related words include צִיץ (tzitz, 'flower, blossom') and נֵצֶר (netser, 'branch, shoot'), though these focus more on structure and growth than visual brilliance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָצַץ; a flower (from its brilliancy); also a hawk (from it flashing speed); blossom, hawk.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נץ (n-ṣ) — to shine, to blossom, to sparkle
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5339 | נִצָּן | the emerging buds |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5322-01 |
הַ/נֵּ֖ץ | hanets | HTd/Ncmsa |
hawk | the blossom | 2 |
H5322-03 |
נִצָּ֔/הּ | nitsah | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
its blossoms | her blossom | 1 |
H5322-02 |
נֵ֑ץ | nets | HNcmsa |
the hawk | shining blossom | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5322-03 |
Genesis 40:10 | נִצָּ֔/הּ | nitsah | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
its blossoms | her blossom |
H5322-01 |
Leviticus 11:16 | הַ/נֵּ֖ץ | hanets | HTd/Ncmsa |
the hawk | the blossom |
H5322-01 |
Deuteronomy 14:15 | הַ/נֵּ֖ץ | hanets | HTd/Ncmsa |
hawk | the blossom |
H5322-02 |
Job 39:26 | נֵ֑ץ | nets | HNcmsa |
the hawk | shining blossom |