נָדַף
𐤍𐤃𐤐
nâdaph
H5086 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To drive or blow away by force, particularly of wind or an agent, implying a scattering or dispersal; to shake, toss, or forcefully move something from its place; used both literally (e.g., chaff blown by the wind) and figuratively (e.g., persons or nations scattered or shaken by turmoil). The word invokes the imagery of something being parted from its original position and propelled to and fro, often with an emphasis on lack of control or stability.
Semantic Range
to be driven away (by wind or agent), to be scattered, to be tossed to and fro, to be shaken, to be thrust down, to be forced out or dispersed, to lack stability or cohesive form
Root / Etymology
Root: נדף. The root conveys the sense of driving, forcing, or pushing something away, often with the agency of wind or through active dispersal. The verb derives directly from this root with the basic sense of being driven, scattered, or blown away. The core sense of the root is 'to drive, scatter by force,' which forms the basis for its specific lexical applications.
Historical & Contextual Notes
During the monarchic and prophetic periods, נָדַף is frequently used to describe the effect of wind dispersing light material such as chaff (compare Psalm 1:4, Isaiah 17:13). It is also used figuratively for the scattering of people or the destabilization of nations, describing the sense of being unsettled, insecure, or powerless before a greater force. The verb is typically passive in nuance, focusing on the state or action of being driven away rather than the agent. In later prophetic literature, the use of נָדַף often carries metaphorical connotations—moral or political disorder—though the underlying image remains one of physical dispersal. English translations commonly render the term as 'drive away,' 'scatter,' 'shake,' or 'toss,' but may not fully capture nuances of instability or powerlessness before an overwhelming force, particularly when used metaphorically of persons or peoples.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to shove asunder, i.e. disperse; drive (away, to and fro), thrust down, shaken, tossed to and fro.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נדף (n-d-p̄) — to drive, to scatter, to push away, to disperse
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5086-02 |
נִדָּ֔ף | nidaf | HVNrmsa |
driven | being driven away | 5 |
H5086-04 |
תִּ֫נְדֹּ֥ף | tinedof | HVqi2ms |
you-shall-drive-away | you will drive away | 1 |
H5086-05 |
יִדְּפֶ֣/נּוּ | yidefenu | HVqi3ms/Sp3ms |
will rout him | he will scatter him | 1 |
H5086-03 |
תִּדְּפֶ֥/נּוּ | tidefenu | HVqi3fs/Sp3ms |
drives away | she drives him away | 1 |
H5086-01 |
כְּ/הִנְדֹּ֥ף | kehinedof | HR/VNc |
as-is-driven-away | as being driven away | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5086-02 |
Leviticus 26:36 | נִדָּ֔ף | nidaf | HVNrmsa |
driven | being driven away |
H5086-02 |
Isaiah 19:7 | נִדַּ֖ף | nidaf | HVNp3ms |
be driven away | being driven away |
H5086-02 |
Isaiah 41:2 | נִדָּ֖ף | nidaf | HVNrmsa |
driven away | being driven away |
H5086-03 |
Psalms 1:4 | תִּדְּפֶ֥/נּוּ | tidefenu | HVqi3fs/Sp3ms |
drives away | she drives him away |
H5086-01 |
Psalms 68:3 | כְּ/הִנְדֹּ֥ף | kehinedof | HR/VNc |
as-is-driven-away | as being driven away |
H5086-04 |
Psalms 68:3 | תִּ֫נְדֹּ֥ף | tinedof | HVqi2ms |
you-shall-drive-away | you will drive away |
H5086-02 |
Proverbs 21:6 | נִ֝דָּ֗ף | nidaf | HVNrmsa |
driven | being driven away |
H5086-02 |
Job 13:25 | נִדָּ֣ף | nidaf | HVNrmsa |
driven | being driven away |
H5086-05 |
Job 32:13 | יִדְּפֶ֣/נּוּ | yidefenu | HVqi3ms/Sp3ms |
will rout him | he will scatter him |