נָצַר
𐤍𐤑𐤓
nâtsar
H5341 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To watch over, guard, or keep something with care, maintaining its safety or integrity; in some contexts, to protect or preserve against harm or loss. In other contexts, to observe (regard) or retain (in memory or deed). Occasionally, in negative or ambiguous contexts, to keep secret or conceal. The term can refer to tangible protection (e.g., safeguarding a city, vineyard, or covenant), to personal conduct (keeping commandments or precepts), or to mental/spiritual attentiveness (preserving loyalty or purity).
Semantic Range
to guard or protect (cities, people, possessions), to keep or observe (commandments, promises), to preserve (memory, reputation, purity), to conceal or keep secret, to maintain or retain, to be careful or watchful
Root / Etymology
Root נצר (n-ṣ-r), commonly bearing the core meaning of guarding or keeping. נָצַר directly derives from this root, typically carrying the nuance of deliberate and careful observation or safeguarding. The root overlaps with others like שמר (to keep, watch) but has a tendency toward notions of inner protection or fidelity. Cognates in related Semitic languages, such as Aramaic and Arabic (nṣr, "to protect, help"), support the nuance of intentional guarding or preservation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
נָצַר is primarily used in the Hebrew Bible for the active process of guarding or keeping—whether commandments, trust, or physical entities. It appears notably in contexts describing the observance of divine regulations (e.g., Proverbs 4:13; "keep my instruction"), faithfulness to personal or communal commitments, and tangible protection (e.g., guarding a vineyard, Isaiah 27:3). Unlike שָׁמַר, which often implies watching or custodianship, נָצַר emphasizes care, commitment, and sometimes secrecy. In exilic and post-exilic texts, it can emphasize preservation of identity or tradition under pressure. While some translations use "observe" or "keep," these may not always capture the nuanced sense of devoted protection or internalizing. Later usage and translation traditions sometimes apply the term to spiritual, moral, or doctrinal guardianship, especially in Psalms and Prophets.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.); besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נצר (n-ṣ-r) — guarding, keeping, preserving, watchful protection
Word Forms
39 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5341-14 |
נֹצֵ֥ר | notser | HVqrmsa |
he who guards | guarding one | 8 |
H5341-10 |
נְצֹ֣ר | netsor | HVqv2ms |
keep | Guard! | 4 |
H5341-35 |
יִנְצֹֽרוּ | yinetsoru | HVqi3mp |
keep | they will guard | 4 |
H5341-17 |
נוֹצְרִ֖ים | notserim | HVqrmpa |
of watchmen | guarding ones | 4 |
H5341-06 |
נָצָֽרְתִּי | natsareti | HVqp1cs |
I have kept | I have guarded | 3 |
H5341-22 |
תִּצֹּ֖ר | titsor | HVqi2ms |
guard | you will guard | 3 |
H5341-38 |
יִצְּר֑וּ/נִי | yitseruni | HVqi3mp/Sp1cs |
let-them-encompass-me | they guard me | 2 |
H5341-29 |
וְ/אֶצְּרָ֥ה | veetserah | HC/Vqh1cs |
and I will keep | and let me guard | 2 |
H5341-28 |
וְ/אֶצָּרְ/ךָ֗ | veetsarekha | HC/Vqi1cs/Sp2ms |
and-I-will-keep-you | and I will guard you | 2 |
H5341-19 |
תִּנְצְרֵֽ/נִי | tinetsereni | HVqi2ms/Sp1cs |
preserve me | you shall guard me | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
63 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5341-14 |
Exodus 34:7 | נֹצֵ֥ר | notser | HVqrmsa |
keeping | guarding one |
H5341-36 |
Deuteronomy 32:10 | יִצְּרֶ֖/נְהוּ | yitserenehu | HVqi3ms/Sp3ms |
he guarded him | he guards him |
H5341-35 |
Deuteronomy 33:9 | יִנְצֹֽרוּ | yinetsoru | HVqi3mp |
they keep | they will guard |
H5341-17 |
2 Kings 17:9 | נוֹצְרִ֖ים | notserim | HVqrmpa |
of watchmen | guarding ones |
H5341-17 |
2 Kings 18:8 | נוֹצְרִ֖ים | notserim | HVqrmpa |
of watchmen | guarding ones |
H5341-11 |
Isaiah 1:8 | נְצוּרָֽה | netsurah | HVqsfsa |
besieged | guarded one |
H5341-22 |
Isaiah 26:3 | תִּצֹּ֖ר | titsor | HVqi2ms |
you-will-keep | you will guard |
H5341-15 |
Isaiah 27:3 | נֹֽצְרָ֔/הּ | notserah | HVqrmsc/Sp3fs |
keep it | guarding her |
H5341-03 |
Isaiah 27:3 | אֶצֳּרֶֽ/נָּה | etsorenah | HVqi1cs/Sp3fs |
I will keep it | I will guard her |
H5341-28 |
Isaiah 42:6 | וְ/אֶצָּרְ/ךָ֗ | veetsarekha | HC/Vqi1cs/Sp2ms |
and will keep you | and I will guard you |