or נאוֹדlemma נֹאוד vowel, corrected to נאוֹדxlit nôʼwd corrected to nʼôwd; also (feminine) נֹאדָה; from an unused root of uncertain signification; a (skin or leather) bag (for fluids); bottle.
Transliteration:nôʼd
Pronunciation:node
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma נֹאד (nôʼd, `{{H4997}}`) refers primarily to a "skin or leather bag" or "bottle" specifically designed for holding fluids. This definition points to a practical, everyday item in the ancient Near East, where animal skins (typically goat or sheep) were commonly used for storing and transporting water, wine, milk, and other liquids. The mention of an "unused root of uncertain signification" in its etymology suggests that the word's meaning is largely derived from its observable function and common usage. The feminine form נֹאדָה is also noted, indicating a potential variation or specific usage, though the core meaning of a fluid container remains consistent. The material, skin or leather, is crucial to its identity, emphasizing its flexibility, durability (when new), and eventual perishability (when old).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term נֹאד (nôʼd, `{{H4997}}`) appears in several significant biblical contexts, illustrating both its literal utility and its metaphorical depth:
* **Provision in the Wilderness:** In [[Genesis 21:14]], Hagar is given a נֹאד of water when cast out by Abraham. This highlights the נֹאד as a crucial item for survival in arid regions, underscoring the precariousness of life and the immediate need for divine or human provision.
* **Deception and Wear:** The Gibeonites, in their elaborate deception of Joshua, present "old, patched wine-skins" (נֹאדֹות יַיִן בָּלִים וּמְבֻקָּעִים) in [[Joshua 9:4]] and again refer to their "wine-skins" (נֹאדֹות הַיַּיִן) that were new but are now burst in [[Joshua 9:13]]. This usage emphasizes the נֹאד as a container for wine and illustrates its susceptibility to age and wear, making it a believable prop for a tale of a long journey.
* **Hospitality and Sustenance:** Jael offers Sisera milk from a נֹאד in [[Judges 4:19]], and Jesse sends David to Saul with bread and a נֹאד of wine in [[1 Samuel 16:20]]. These instances show the נֹאד as a common vessel for essential provisions, often associated with hospitality or offerings.
* **Divine Remembrance of Suffering:** Perhaps the most profound metaphorical use is found in [[Psalm 56:8]]: "You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle (נֹאד)." Here, the נֹאד transcends its physical utility to become a symbolic receptacle for the psalmist's sorrows. It portrays God as meticulously collecting and remembering every tear shed in distress, signifying His intimate knowledge, empathy, and unwavering care for His suffering children.
* **Internal Pressure and Renewal:** Elihu, in [[Job 32:19]], describes himself as being like "wine that has no vent; like new wine-skins (נֹאדֹות חֲדָשׁוֹת) ready to burst." This vivid metaphor uses the נֹאד to convey the immense internal pressure of unexpressed words or emotions, likening the human spirit to a container that must release its contents or risk bursting. This imagery implicitly connects to the concept of the need for an appropriate "vessel" for new experiences or truths.
### Related Words & Concepts
The נֹאד (nôʼd, `{{H4997}}`) is part of a semantic field of containers and provisions in the Hebrew Bible.
* **Other Containers:** Related terms include `{{H2573}}` (*chameth*), another word for a skin-bottle, often used interchangeably with נֹאד for water (e.g., [[Genesis 21:15]] uses *chameth* for Hagar's water bottle); and `{{H5035}}` (*nevel*), which can also denote a skin-bottle, especially for wine, though it also refers to a musical instrument. The general term for a vessel or implement, `{{H3627}}` (*keli*), would encompass נֹאד as a specific type of container.
* **Contents:** The נֹאד is defined by what it holds: water (`{{H4325}}`, *mayim*), wine (`{{H3196}}`, *yayin*), and milk (`{{H2461}}`, *chalav*). These liquids are fundamental for life and sustenance in the biblical world.
* **Themes of Travel and Wilderness:** The frequent appearance of the נֹאד in narratives involving journeys or life in arid environments underscores its essential role in human survival and dependence on basic provisions.
* **Fragility and Renewal:** The concept of "old" versus "new" wine-skins (as seen in Joshua and Job) introduces the idea of the lifespan of materials and, metaphorically, the need for spiritual or personal renewal to accommodate new truths or experiences. This resonates conceptually with the New Testament teaching of "new wine in new wineskins" (Greek: `{{G713}}` *askos*), where the physical container serves as an analogy for the spiritual capacity to receive the Holy Spirit or the teachings of Christ.
### Theological Significance
The נֹאד (nôʼd, `{{H4997}}`) carries rich theological implications, moving beyond its literal function to convey profound truths:
* **Divine Provision and Sustenance:** The נֹאד often appears in contexts of basic human need, particularly for water in the wilderness. While the נֹאד itself is a limited human vessel, its presence in narratives of survival points to God's ultimate role as provider. Even when human provisions run out, God's boundless care is implicitly highlighted.
* **God's Intimate Remembrance of Suffering:** The most striking theological use is in [[Psalm 56:8]], where God is depicted as collecting the psalmist's tears in a נֹאד. This anthropomorphic imagery powerfully conveys God's meticulous attention to human sorrow, His deep empathy for His suffering people, and His commitment to remembering their afflictions. It assures the believer that no pain or tear is ever unnoticed or forgotten by the Almighty. This transforms a simple utilitarian object into a symbol of divine compassion and meticulous care for the individual.
* **Human Frailty and the Need for Renewal:** The imagery of old, burst wine-skins (e.g., [[Joshua 9:4]], [[Job 32:19]]) serves as a potent metaphor for human limitations and the transient nature of physical forms. Just as old skins cannot contain new, fermenting wine without bursting, so too are there limits to human capacity, endurance, or the ability to contain intense emotion or new spiritual truths without a corresponding renewal or transformation. This prepares the ground for later biblical teachings on the necessity of a "new heart" or a "new spirit" to receive God's fresh revelation.
* **The Nature of Deception:** The Gibeonites' use of worn-out נֹאדֹות to deceive Joshua illustrates how even common, everyday objects can be manipulated to create false appearances, touching on themes of truth, perception, and the dangers of superficial judgments.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נֹאד (nôʼd, `{{H4997}}`) fundamentally denotes a "skin or leather bag" or "bottle" primarily used for holding liquids. Its biblical occurrences reveal its essential role in daily life for carrying water, wine, and milk, particularly vital for sustenance during travel and in arid environments (e.g., [[Genesis 21:14]]). Beyond its utilitarian purpose, נֹאד acquires profound metaphorical significance. Most notably, in [[Psalm 56:8]], it symbolizes God's intimate and compassionate remembrance of human suffering, depicting Him as collecting the psalmist's tears in a divine vessel. Furthermore, the imagery of "old" or "burst" wine-skins (e.g., [[Joshua 9:4]], [[Job 32:19]]) communicates themes of human frailty, the limits of physical containers, and the implicit need for renewal to accommodate new experiences or truths. Thus, the נֹאד transitions from a simple object of ancient life to a rich symbol of divine provision, empathetic remembrance, and the transient nature of earthly vessels.
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