English · KJV
H5095

נָהַל

nâhal /naw-hal'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningproperly, to run with asparkle, i.e. flow; hence (transitively), to conduct, and (by inference) to protect, sustain
KJV usagecarry, feed, guide, lead (gently, on).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nâhal — 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 nâhal, represented by H5095, describes a form of gentle and protective guidance. Its primitive root means to flow, but transitively it is used to conduct, sustain, carry, feed, or lead gently. It appears 10 times in 10 unique verses, often highlighting a tender and careful leadership.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H5095 consistently portrays a sense of careful and compassionate leadership. In the context of shepherding, God is the one who leadeth His people beside still waters Psalms 23:2 and will gently lead those that are with young Isaiah 40:11. This same divine guidance is shown in God's deliverance of Israel, where He guided them in His strength to His holy habitation Exodus 15:13. The term is also used for practical human care, as when Jacob promises to lead on softly according to the endurance of his children and livestock Genesis 33:14, or when the men of Israel carried the feeble on asses 2 Chronicles 28:15. In one instance, it is translated as fed, when Joseph sustained his family with bread Genesis 47:17.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the specific meaning of H5095:

  • H5090 nâhag (to drive forth, lead, carry away): This word often implies a stronger form of leading than nâhal. In Isaiah 49:10, God promises to lead (nâhag) them and guide (nâhal) them, using both terms to show the comprehensive nature of His care.
  • H5148 nâchâh (to guide, transport): This is a close synonym used for divine guidance. The two words appear together when David asks God to lead (nâchâh) and guide (nâhal) him Psalms 31:3, and also to describe God's leadership after the Exodus Exodus 15:13.
  • H7462 râʻâh (to tend a flock, shepherd): This verb establishes the pastoral context in which nâhal often appears. In Isaiah 40:11, God acts as a shepherd who will feed (râʻâh) His flock and also gently lead (nâhal) them.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H5095 is centered on the tender character of God's leadership.

  • Gentle Divine Shepherding: The word distinguishes God's guidance from forceful driving. He is a shepherd who leadeth His people to places of rest Psalms 23:2 and shows special consideration for the vulnerable, such as "those that are with young" Isaiah 40:11. The lament in Isaiah 51:18 that there is "none to guide her" underscores the tragedy of losing such leadership.
  • Sustaining Providence: The concept of nâhal includes provision and physical support. God guides His people to springs of water Isaiah 49:10, and the word is used for Joseph giving bread to his family Genesis 47:17 and for carrying the "feeble" 2 Chronicles 28:15.
  • Covenantal Leadership: This gentle guidance is an expression of God's covenant relationship with His people. He guided Israel after redeeming them Exodus 15:13 and guided Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem after saving them from their enemies 2 Chronicles 32:22, demonstrating a constant, protective presence.

Summary

In summary, H5095 provides a rich portrait of leadership that is gentle, protective, and sustaining. It moves beyond simple direction to encompass the careful manner in which a shepherd tends a flock. Whether describing Jacob's concern for his family Genesis 33:14 or God's compassionate guidance of His people Psalms 23:2, nâhal reveals a model of leadership defined by mercy and provision for the weak.

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 9 occurrences, inflected in 6 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.

  • יְנַהֲלֵ
  • יְנַהֲלֵ
  • תְנַהֲלֵ
  • יְנַהֲלוּ
  • מְנַהֵל
  • נֵהַלְתָּ

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.

H5090 נָהַג a primitive root; to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (i.e. H5148 נָחָה a primitive root; to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists); bestow, bring, govern, guide, le H7462 רָעָה a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to r

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 5 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (3 verses); never once in the other 34.

2
Genesis
1
Exodus
2
2 Chronicles
2
Psalms
3
Isaiah

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.