נָשַׂק
𐤍𐤔𐤒
nâsaq
H5400 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To ignite, set on fire, or cause to burn; to kindle or incite flames. The verb indicates the act of burning or being kindled, whether literally (as flames consuming fuel) or, less commonly, metaphorically.
Semantic Range
to catch fire, to burn, to kindle, to be consumed by fire, to ignite
Root / Etymology
Root: נשק. From the root נשק, which in some contexts conveys the idea of touching or joining (most often 'to kiss'), but in this specific form and semantic strand (distinct and likely homonymous), it means 'to burn' or 'kindle.' Relationship to the more common נשק ('to kiss, join, equip with weapons') is debated; many modern lexicographers treat the fire sense as a homonym with uncertain connection to the broader root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The 'to burn/kindle' sense of נשק is attested only rarely in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Job 31:12), and always in poetic or metaphorical contexts, usually describing consuming fire or flames. It is distinct from the more common נשק, meaning 'to kiss' or 'to arm.' There is no evidence this verb was ever used for ritual burning or that it referred to specific types of fuel, flames, or fires. Later biblical and post-biblical Hebrew does not commonly maintain this sense. English translations sometimes narrow the word's sense to 'consume,' but the emphasis in the original context is on the destructive or consuming aspect of burning. In post-biblical and rabbinic usage, other terms (such as בער or יצת) predominate for 'to burn.' No connection with later terms for religious identity or geography. Its poetic rarity and the uncertainty of relation to the more common root require caution when extrapolating broader usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to catch fire; burn, kindle.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נשק (n-ś-q) — to burn, kindle, set on fire
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5390 | נְשִׁיקָה | from kisses of |
| H5401 | נָשַׁק | I will kiss you |
| H5402 | נֶשֶׁק | with weaponry |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5400-01 |
נִשְּׂקָ֣ה | niseqah | HVNp3fs |
was kindled | was kindled | 1 |
H5400-03 |
יַשִּׂ֖יק | yasiq | HVhi3ms |
he-kindles | he will set ablaze | 1 |
H5400-02 |
וְ֠/הִשִּׂיקוּ | vehisiqu | HC/Vhq3cp |
and they will kindle | and they set on fire | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5400-03 |
Isaiah 44:15 | יַשִּׂ֖יק | yasiq | HVhi3ms |
he-kindles | he will set ablaze |
H5400-02 |
Ezekiel 39:9 | וְ֠/הִשִּׂיקוּ | vehisiqu | HC/Vhq3cp |
and they will kindle | and they set on fire |
H5400-01 |
Psalms 78:21 | נִשְּׂקָ֣ה | niseqah | HVNp3fs |
was kindled | was kindled |