נַחְשׁוֹן
𐤍𐤇𐤔𐤅𐤍
Nacheshon
H5177 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name, masculine: Nachshon — the personal name of a significant Israelite figure, specifically a leading member of the tribe of Judah during the wilderness period. The name is attested chiefly in genealogical and historical contexts, notably as the son of Amminadab and ancestor of Boaz and, by extension, of David. Lexically, it is not an appellative term (not a common noun), but a personal name possibly bearing a meaning connecting to the root ('serpent, diviner'), though this is not functionally relevant in the occurrences within the biblical text. The semantic range is thus restricted to its use as a personal name.
Semantic Range
proper name; personal name of a Judahite leader during the wilderness generation; name borne by ancestor of Boaz and David; not a common noun; not used as an appellative
Root / Etymology
From the presumed root נָחַשׁ (nachash), meaning 'to divine, to practice divination' or 'serpent'. The derivational process for the name נַחְשׁוֹן is not transparent, and the precise nuance of the theophoric or descriptive elements is uncertain. Thus, the etymology is somewhat uncertain beyond its association with נָחַשׁ.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Nachshon is exclusively attested as a male Israelite name in the Torah and historical books (Exod 6:23; Num 1:7; Ruth 4:20–22; 1 Chr 2:10–11). He is presented as a prince/chieftain of the tribe of Judah during the Sinai wilderness sojourn and considered ancestor to key Judahite lines. The etymological link to divination (נָחַשׁ) may suggest a symbolic or aspirational meaning but does not imply Nachshon's occupation or character in biblical narratives. English versions may render the name as Naashon, Nahshon or Nachshon; it is never an appellative or common noun, and does not retain meaning as 'enchanter' or 'diviner' in these contexts. Nachshon is a distinct name from related terms (e.g., נָחָשׁ 'snake,' נָחִישׁ 'copper' or 'brass') and should not be confused with them. In later Jewish tradition, Nachshon is remembered as a paradigmatic leader and ancestor, but these traditions postdate the biblical text. The translation 'Jew' is inapplicable, as Nachshon is described as an Israelite, specifically a Judahite, during the pre-monarchic era.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָחַשׁ; enchanter; Nachshon, an Israelite; Naashon, Nahshon.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נחשׁ (n-ḥ-sh) — to divine, practice divination; serpent
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5154 | נְחוּשָׁה | like copper |
| H5172 | נָחַשׁ | intensively practice divination |
| H5175 | נָחָשׁ | the serpent |
| H5176 | נָחָשׁ | serpent |
| H5179 | נְחֻשְׁתָּא | Nehushta |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5177-01 |
נַחְשׁ֖וֹן | nacheshon | HNp |
Nahshon | Nachshon | 8 |
H5177-02 |
וְ/נַחְשׁ֖וֹן | venacheshon | HC/Np |
and Nahshon | and Nachshon | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5177-01 |
Exodus 6:23 | נַחְשׁ֖וֹן | nacheshon | HNp |
Nahshon | Nachshon |
H5177-01 |
Numbers 1:7 | נַחְשׁ֖וֹן | nacheshon | HNp |
Nahshon | Nachshon |
H5177-01 |
Numbers 2:3 | נַחְשׁ֖וֹן | nacheshon | HNp |
Nahshon | Nachshon |
H5177-01 |
Numbers 7:12 | נַחְשׁ֥וֹן | nacheshon | HNp |
Nahshon | Nachshon |
H5177-01 |
Numbers 7:17 | נַחְשׁ֖וֹן | nacheshon | HNp |
Nahshon | Nachshon |
H5177-01 |
Numbers 10:14 | נַחְשׁ֖וֹן | nacheshon | HNp |
Nahshon | Nachshon |
H5177-01 |
Ruth 4:20 | נַחְשׁ֔וֹן | nacheshon | HNp |
Nahshon | Nachshon |
H5177-02 |
Ruth 4:20 | וְ/נַחְשׁ֖וֹן | venacheshon | HC/Np |
and Nahshon | and Nachshon |
H5177-01 |
1 Chronicles 2:10 | נַחְשׁ֔וֹן | nacheshon | HNp |
Nahshon | Nachshon |
H5177-02 |
1 Chronicles 2:11 | וְ/נַחְשׁוֹן֙ | venacheshon | HC/Np |
and Nahshon | and Nachshon |