English · KJV
H5064

נָגַר

nâgar /naw-gar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto flow; figuratively, to stretch out; causatively, to pour out or down; figuratively, to deliver over
KJV usagefall, flow away, pour down (out), run, shed, spilt, trickle down.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nâgar — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word nâgar, represented by H5064, is a primitive root primarily meaning to flow. While it appears only 10 times in 10 unique verses, its application is diverse, ranging from the literal flow of liquids to figurative concepts like being delivered over to destruction. Its definitions include to pour out or down, fall, flow away, run, shed, spilt, and trickle down.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H5064 powerfully illustrates concepts of finality, grief, and judgment. It describes the irreversible nature of death, which is compared to water spilt on the ground that cannot be gathered again 2 Samuel 14:14. It conveys deep sorrow, as in Lamentations 3:49, where the eye trickleth down with tears. The word also carries a sense of violent judgment, as seen in prophetic warnings where God will pour out the blood of the wicked Jeremiah 18:21 or pour down the very stones of a city in its destruction Micah 1:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H5064 is used:

  • H5414 nâthan (to give, used with greatest latitude of application): This word often works in parallel with H5064 to signify a transfer or surrender. In Jeremiah 18:21, the plea is to "deliver up their children" and then to "pour out their blood."
  • H4325 mayim (water): As the most common substance associated with flowing, water is frequently the object of the action of H5064. It is used to describe God's power over nature, as with the waters that are poured down a steep place Micah 1:4.
  • H2026 hârag (to smite with deadly intent; destroy, kill, murder): This word connects the action of "pouring out" to its fatal consequence. The men of the unrighteous are to be put to death Jeremiah 18:21 as part of the same judgment that sees their blood poured out.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5064 is concentrated in its depiction of divine power and justice.

  • Irreversibility of Consequences: The image of spilt water that cannot be recovered serves as a stark metaphor for the finality of human life and the irreversible nature of divine acts 2 Samuel 14:14.
  • Divine Judgment: The word is a key descriptor for the execution of God's wrath. God poureth out judgment from a cup for the wicked Psalms 75:8, and the enemies of the righteous fall by the sword, delivered over to their fate Psalms 63:10. The shedding of blood is a direct consequence of iniquity Ezekiel 35:5.
  • Overwhelming Divine Presence: In Micah 1:4, the mountains melt and valleys are cleft like waters poured down, illustrating that the presence of the Lord is an overwhelming force capable of completely reshaping the physical world.

Summary

In summary, H5064 is a dynamic verb that conveys more than simple movement. It illustrates profound theological concepts, from the quiet trickling of an eye in sorrow to the unstoppable outpouring of divine judgment. Though used sparingly, nâgar effectively captures the finality of death, the violence of judgment, and the immense, transformative power of God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • נִגְּרָה
  • תַּגֵּר
  • יַּגֵּר
  • הִגַּרְתִּי
  • הַגִּרֵ
  • יַגִּירֻ
  • מֻגָּרִים
  • נִגָּרוֹת
  • נִּגָּרִים
  • מְגוּרֵי

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H5414 נָתַן a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, a H4325 מַיִם dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase H2026 הָרַג a primitive root; to smite with deadly intent; destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter)

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 10 verses across 7 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms (3 verses); never once in the other 32.

1
2 Samuel
1
Job
3
Psalms
1
Jeremiah
1
Lamentations
1
Ezekiel
2
Micah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.