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נָצַב

𐤍𐤑𐤁

nâtsab

H5324 verb

SILEX Entry

Root נצב to stand, to set upright, to establish, to appoint, to station

Definition

To stand, take one’s place, or position oneself; to set, establish, or appoint in place, often with an emphasis on an intentional or stable positioning—whether of a person, object, or abstract status. Used in both literal and figurative senses, including: to station or post oneself (or others); to appoint or install someone to an office or duty; to fix or erect something upright (such as a pillar); to remain firm or steadfast in position; to present oneself formally or with purpose. The word can signify the imposition of order or stability in an environment or situation, particularly through deliberate action.

Semantic Range

to take a stand; to position oneself; to be stationed or set up; to erect (an object, such as a pillar); to appoint or install an official; to present oneself with purpose; to be or make firm or established; to remain steadfast; to assign a duty or office; to institute; to manifest firmness or stability

Root / Etymology

Root: נצב. The root idea is 'to stand' or 'to set in a standing, upright position.' From this root derive a range of verbs and nouns related to standing, placing, or fixing something or someone in place. The verb form נָצַב can function transitively ('set up, establish') or intransitively ('stand, take up one's position').

Historical & Contextual Notes

נָצַב is used across diverse literary genres in the Hebrew Bible, from legal contexts (appointing officials or setting up monuments) to narratives (characters positioning themselves intentionally) and prophetic literature (describing steadfastness or appointment by YHWH). Its figurative senses—such as establishing or confirming a matter—arise from the basic idea of securing or fixing in place. Early Israelite usage often refers to physical standing or erecting—such as Jacob 'setting up' a pillar (Genesis 28:18). In the monarchy and post-exilic periods, it is frequently used for the installation of officials or the confirmation of decrees. The English translation 'appoint' or 'set' sometimes narrows the broader semantic potential, as the term can also mean self-presentation or steadfastness depending on context. Occasional translation tradition confusion—such as the occurrence of 'Huzzah' as a proper name—shows difficulties in rendering its meaning across languages. נָצַב differs from verbs like עָמַד, which generally means 'to stand' in the sense of being upright or attending, while נָצַב highlights the stability, establishment, or intentional placement of the subject. The notion of personal or official responsibility is also implied more strongly with נָצַב.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively); appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נצב (n-ṣ-b) — to stand, to set upright, to establish, to appoint, to station

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4673 מַצָּב the standing-post
H4674 מֻצָּב one stationed
H4675 מַצָּבָה the standing-post
H4676 מַצֵּבָה the standing-pillar
H4678 מַצֶּבֶת to the standing stone

Word Forms

28 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5324-13 נִצָּ֖ב nitsav HVNrmsa standing standing stationed 22
H5324-15 נִצָּבִ֖ים nitsavim HVNrmpa standing those stationed 8
H5324-03 הַ/נִּצָּבִים֙ hanitsavim HTd/VNrmpa the-standing-ones the stationed ones 8
H5324-20 וַ/יַּצֵּ֣ב vayatsev HC/Vhw3ms and he made stand and he set in place 6
H5324-24 וְ/נִצַּבְתָּ֥ venitsaveta HC/VNq2ms and you shall stand and you shall take your stand 3
H5324-14 נִצָּ֑בָה nitsavah HVNp3fs she stands she has stationed herself 2
H5324-12 מֻצָּ֣ב mutsav HVHsmsa pillar one set in place 2
H5324-22 וַ/יַּצִּ֧בוּ vayatsivu HC/Vhw3mp and they raised and they set in place 2
H5324-07 הִצַּ֖בְתָּ hitsaveta HVhp2ms set you set in place 2
H5324-01 הַ/נִּצָּ֖ב hanitsav HTd/VNrmsa who was set the stationed one 2

Occurrences in Scripture

75 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5324-15 Genesis 18:2 נִצָּבִ֖ים nitsavim HVNrmpa standing those stationed
H5324-20 Genesis 21:28 וַ/יַּצֵּ֣ב vayatsev HC/Vhw3ms and set and he set in place
H5324-07 Genesis 21:29 הִצַּ֖בְתָּ hitsaveta HVhp2ms you have set you set in place
H5324-13 Genesis 24:13 נִצָּ֖ב nitsav HVNrmsa am standing standing stationed
H5324-13 Genesis 24:43 נִצָּ֖ב nitsav HVNrmsa am standing standing stationed
H5324-12 Genesis 28:12 מֻצָּ֣ב mutsav HVHsmsa set up one set in place
H5324-13 Genesis 28:13 נִצָּ֣ב nitsav HVNrmsa was standing standing stationed
H5324-20 Genesis 33:20 וַ/יַּצֶּב vayatsev HC/Vhw3ms he erected and he set in place
H5324-20 Genesis 35:14 וַ/יַּצֵּ֨ב vayatsev HC/Vhw3ms set up and he set in place
H5324-20 Genesis 35:20 וַ/יַּצֵּ֧ב vayatsev HC/Vhw3ms and set up and he set in place
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