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נָדַב

𐤍𐤃𐤁

nâdab

H5068 verb

SILEX Entry

Root נדב to be willing, to volunteer, to give freely

Definition

To be inclined, willing, or moved to act of one's own volition; to freely give, volunteer, devote, or offer (especially in worship or service). The verb נָדַב fundamentally denotes an inward disposition of generosity or readiness, extending to both the disposition and the act of presenting something or oneself spontaneously, without coercion. Contextually, it applies to voluntary offerings, readiness for service, and willingness to participate in communal or cultic acts, reflecting both the motivation and the deed.

Semantic Range

to be inclined or willing, to impel oneself (inward disposition), to volunteer, to offer freely, to present or dedicate voluntarily, to devote or consecrate (often for worship or building projects), to act spontaneously in service or support

Root / Etymology

The word נָדַב derives from the root נ־ד־ב, which expresses the core idea of being impelled or moved by one’s free will. While the root carries the sense of voluntary movement or disposition, the verb's specific usage as 'to volunteer' or 'to offer freely' develops from the notion of being disposed or generous, not compelled by obligation. There is no certainty of cognates outside Hebrew; the root is characteristic of the Hebrew language.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, נָדַב is used in several key ritual and community contexts. Most notably, it occurs in relation to voluntary contributions for the construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:2; 35:21-29), where Israelites are invited to bring gifts as their heart moves them, in contrast to obligatory sacrificial acts. It also appears over the periods of the monarchy (e.g., 1 Chronicles 29:5-9, in the voluntary contributions for the temple) and later, in post-exilic times (e.g., Ezra 1:6). The word primarily signifies voluntary, uncoerced action, especially in giving or dedicating possessions or oneself for a higher purpose. While English versions sometimes translate the verb as 'willing,' 'offer,' or 'devote,' these translations may miss the nuance of unforced spontaneity characteristic of נָדַב. Related terms include חָפֵץ (to delight, desire) and נְדָבָה (a freewill offering). The nuance between compelled or obligatory and voluntary is crucial to understanding the usage of נָדַב and distinguishes it from terms for required offerings. In post-biblical Hebrew, semantics narrow to generosity and free giving, but in the Hebrew Bible, the sense can also include volunteering oneself for special service (Judges 5:2,9). The motivation is a key element: the term highlights inner spontaneity and generosity, not simply action or gift-giving. No later religious connotations (such as Jewish communal charity) should be retrojected into the biblical use.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to impel; hence, to volunteer (as a soldier), to present spontaneously; offer freely, be (give, make, offer self) willing(-ly).

Bantu Hebrew

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

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Root Family

נדב (n-d-b) — willingness, voluntary impulse, free offering

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3122 יוֹנָדָב to Yahweh-is-generous
H5069 נְדַב they volunteered themselves
H5070 נָדָב Willing-One
H5071 נְדָבָה with a voluntary offering
H5072 נְדַבְיָה and Yah-gives-freely

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5068-09 מִתְנַדֵּ֥ב mitenadev HVtrmsa is willing the one volunteering himself 2
H5068-07 הִֽתְנַדְּבוּ֙ hitenadevu HVtp3cp offered willingly they volunteered themselves 2
H5068-03 הַ/מִּֽתְנַדְּבִ֖ים hamitenadevim HTd/Vtrmpa who volunteered the self-volunteering men 2
H5068-08 לְ/הִתְנַדֵּ֖ב lehitenadev HR/Vtc to offer willingly to volunteer oneself 2
H5068-01 בְּ/הִתְנַדֵּ֖ב behitenadev HR/Vtc when-volunteered in volunteering oneself 1
H5068-06 הִֽתְנַדְּבָ֔/ם hitenadevam HVtc/Sp3mp their offering willingly their volunteering themselves 1
H5068-13 יִדְּבֶ֣/נּוּ yidevenu HVqi3ms/Sp3ms prompts him he will freely offer him 1
H5068-02 הַ/מִּתְנַדֵּ֖ב hamitenadev HTd/Vtrmsa who willingly offered himself the self-volunteering one 1
H5068-04 הִתְנַדַּ֣בְתִּי hitenadaveti HVtp1cs I-have-offered-willingly I volunteered myself 1
H5068-05 הִתְנַדֵּֽב hitenadev HVtc freely offered to volunteer oneself freely 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5068-13 Exodus 25:2 יִדְּבֶ֣/נּוּ yidevenu HVqi3ms/Sp3ms prompts him he will freely offer him
H5068-11 Exodus 35:21 נָדְבָ֨ה nadevah HVqp3fs made willing she freely offered
H5068-10 Exodus 35:29 נָדַ֣ב nadav HVqp3ms made willing Willing One
H5068-01 Judges 5:2 בְּ/הִתְנַדֵּ֖ב behitenadev HR/Vtc when-volunteered in volunteering oneself
H5068-03 Judges 5:9 הַ/מִּֽתְנַדְּבִ֖ים hamitenadevim HTd/Vtrmpa who volunteered the self-volunteering men
H5068-05 Ezra 1:6 הִתְנַדֵּֽב hitenadev HVtc freely offered to volunteer oneself freely
H5068-07 Ezra 2:68 הִֽתְנַדְּבוּ֙ hitenadevu HVtp3cp offered willingly they volunteered themselves
H5068-09 Ezra 3:5 מִתְנַדֵּ֥ב mitenadev HVtrmsa willing the one volunteering himself
H5068-03 Nehemiah 11:2 הַ/מִּֽתְנַדְּבִ֔ים hamitenadevim HTd/Vtrmpa who volunteered the self-volunteering men
H5068-09 1 Chronicles 29:5 מִתְנַדֵּ֔ב mitenadev HVtrmsa is willing the one volunteering himself
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