from נוּד in the sense of piling up; a mound, i.e. wave; heap.
Transliteration:nêd
Pronunciation:nade
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term נֵד (*nêd*, `{{H5067}}`) derives from the root נוּד (*nûd*, `{{H5110}}`), which generally conveys notions of wavering, shaking, or wandering. However, in the case of *nêd*, the semantic development specifically points to the sense of "piling up" or "heaping." Thus, the core meaning of *nêd* is a "mound" or "heap." Its most prominent semantic extension is to describe a "wave" or "wall" of water, conceived as a solidified, standing mass. This conveys an image of something substantial, often defying its natural fluid state, and standing erect as a solid mass.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *nêd* appears primarily in contexts describing divine intervention with natural waters, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over creation.
1. **The Parting of the Red Sea:** In [[Exodus 15:8]], following the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, Moses' song of deliverance declares, "At the blast of Your nostrils the waters were piled up; the flowing waters stood up like a heap (*nêd*); the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea." Here, *nêd* vividly portrays the walls of water that stood on either side of the Israelites, a testament to God's unparalleled power to suspend natural laws and create a path through the sea.
2. **The Parting of the Jordan River:** Similarly, in [[Joshua 3:13]] and [[Joshua 3:16]], *nêd* is used to describe the waters of the Jordan River standing "in a heap" as the Ark of the Covenant entered the river, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground into the promised land. This event mirrors the Red Sea crossing, reinforcing God's faithfulness and power as the Israelites entered a new phase of their covenant history.
3. **God's Control Over Creation:** [[Psalm 33:7]] offers a poetic and theological summation of God's power: "He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap (*nêd*); He puts the deeps in storehouses." This verse uses *nêd* to describe God's creative and sustaining power, not just in miraculous interventions but in His ongoing control over the vast oceans, emphasizing His majestic ordering of the cosmos.
In each instance, *nêd* signifies a mass, particularly of water, that stands unnaturally erect or is held in place by divine command, highlighting the extraordinary nature of God's actions.
### Related Words & Concepts
The root נוּד (*nûd*, `{{H5110}}`) is broadly associated with movement, shaking, or wandering. However, *nêd* represents a specific, almost antithetical, aspect of this root's semantic range, focusing on the *result* of a "piling up" action rather than ongoing movement.
Other Hebrew words that convey the idea of a "heap" include:
* גַּל (*gal*, `{{H1530}}`): Often refers to a heap of stones, ruins, or a spring, implying a more static or accumulated pile.
* עֲרֵמָה (*ʿărēmāh*, `{{H6194}}`): Denotes a pile or heap, commonly of grain or produce, indicating an organized accumulation.
What distinguishes *nêd* from these terms is its specific application to water, implying a miraculous or divinely ordered solidification. While *gal* or *ʿărēmāh* describe natural or human-made accumulations, *nêd* in its biblical usage points to an unnatural, divinely sustained "heap" of a fluid substance, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of God's intervention.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *nêd* is profound, primarily serving as a powerful descriptor of divine omnipotence and sovereignty.
1. **Manifestation of Divine Power:** The most striking use of *nêd* is in the context of God's control over the elements, particularly water. It demonstrates His ability to defy and suspend natural laws, transforming a fluid, uncontainable substance into a solid, impassable wall or a gathered mass. This underscores God's absolute power over creation.
2. **Covenant Faithfulness and Deliverance:** The "heaping" of the waters of the Red Sea and the Jordan River are pivotal moments in Israel's salvation history. They serve as tangible signs of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, delivering His people from bondage and leading them into the promised land. The *nêd* thus becomes a symbol of divine provision and protection.
3. **God's Majestic Order:** Beyond miraculous interventions, [[Psalm 33:7]] uses *nêd* to portray God's ongoing, majestic control over the vastness of the seas. This highlights that even the natural order is sustained by His power, and what might seem ordinary to humanity is, in fact, a testament to His continuous ordering of creation.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נֵד (*nêd*, `{{H5067}}`) signifies a "mound" or "heap," most notably used to describe a divinely formed, standing mass of water. Its occurrences in [[Exodus 15:8]], [[Joshua 3:13]], [[Joshua 3:16]], and [[Psalm 33:7]] consistently highlight God's miraculous and majestic power over creation. Unlike other terms for "heap," *nêd* conveys the extraordinary act of a fluid substance being held in an unnatural, solid-like state. Theologically, *nêd* serves as a powerful testament to God's omnipotence, His faithfulness in delivering His people, and His sovereign control over all of creation, both in miraculous interventions and in the ongoing maintenance of the cosmos.
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