(Aramaic) corresponding to נָוֶה; to flee; get away.
Transliteration:nûwd
Pronunciation:nood
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb נוּד (nûwd, `{{H5111}}`) primarily conveys the sense of "to flee" or "to get away." However, its usage in the biblical text reveals a broader semantic range, often extending to "to remove," "to alter," or "to change." This nuance suggests not merely an intransitive act of departure but also a transitive action of causing something to depart from its original state or place. The connection noted in some lexicons to the Hebrew נָוֶה (nâveh, `{{H5116}}`), meaning "habitation" or "pasture," might point to a shared etymological root related to movement or wandering, but it is crucial to distinguish נוּד (`{{H5111}}`) as an active verb of departure or alteration within its Aramaic contexts. Its core meaning thus encompasses both physical removal and the conceptual transformation of a state or object.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Occurring exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Book of Daniel, נוּד (nûwd, `{{H5111}}`) appears in contexts of significant divine and human action:
* **[[Daniel 2:9]]**: In this verse, King Nebuchadnezzar accuses his wise men of attempting "to change" or "to alter" (נוּד) the word. Here, נוּד signifies a deliberate perversion or manipulation of truth, an attempt to make the original meaning "flee" or depart from its integrity. The context is one of deceit and the king's demand for genuine revelation, highlighting the verb's use in relation to veracity and falsehood.
* **[[Daniel 4:14]]** (Aramaic, often [[Daniel 4:17]] in English Bibles): Describing the vision of the great tree, the command is given to "strip" or "remove" (נוּד) its leaves. This usage clearly denotes a forceful removal or taking away, an act of denuding or dispossessing. It speaks to the stripping away of power, glory, or sustenance, aligning with the "get away" aspect of the definition but in a transitive sense.
* **[[Daniel 5:19]]**: Pertaining to King Nebuchadnezzar's absolute power, it states that "whom he would, he slew, and whom he would, he kept alive; and whom he would, he exalted, and whom he would, he removed (נוּד)." In this context, נוּד signifies causing someone to "depart" from their position, or even from life itself (to "put to death"). This is a powerful transitive usage, emphasizing the king's authority to bring about a radical change in a person's status or existence.
Across these occurrences, נוּד (`{{H5111}}`) consistently denotes an active, often forceful, causation of departure, alteration, or removal, whether of words, physical attributes, or human lives and positions.
### Related Words & Concepts
While נוּד (`{{H5111}}`) is an Aramaic verb, its semantic field overlaps with several Hebrew concepts of movement, change, and removal.
* **נָוֶה (nâveh, `{{H5116}}`)**: As noted in the base definition, this Hebrew noun means "habitation" or "pasture." While seemingly opposite to "flee," the etymological link might stem from a shared ancient root related to "wandering" or "moving," where נוּד describes the act of moving away, and נָוֶה describes a place of dwelling (a place where one *stops* moving). This highlights the dynamic tension between motion and rest inherent in the broader semantic family.
* **בָּרַח (barach, `{{H1272}}`)** and **נוּס (nûs, `{{H5127}}`)**: These are common Hebrew verbs for "to flee" or "to escape." While sharing the core idea of physical flight with נוּד (`{{H5111}}`), the Aramaic נוּד demonstrates a more pronounced and consistent transitive application, signifying the *causing* of something to flee, be removed, or altered. This distinction is crucial for understanding its specific usage in Daniel.
* **Concepts of Divine Sovereignty and Human Transience**: The occurrences of נוּד (`{{H5111}}`) in Daniel are deeply intertwined with themes of divine judgment, the transient nature of earthly power, and the ultimate authority of God to "remove" or "change" human circumstances and rulers.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of נוּד (nûwd, `{{H5111}}`) in Daniel lies in its portrayal of radical change and divine intervention. It underscores the fragility of human constructs and the absolute power of God to alter destiny.
* **Divine Control over Truth**: In [[Daniel 2:9]], the accusation of attempting to "change" the word highlights the divine demand for truth and the futility of human attempts to manipulate or pervert it. God's revelation is immutable, and any effort to נוּד (alter) it is an act of defiance.
* **Sovereign Dispossession**: The "stripping" of the tree in [[Daniel 4:14]] (`{{H5111}}`) and the "removal" of individuals in [[Daniel 5:19]] (`{{H5111}}`) serve as powerful metaphors for God's sovereign right to dispossess, humble, and even "remove" from life those who defy Him. Nebuchadnezzar's transformation and Belshazzar's demise are direct manifestations of God's power to נוּד (change) human status and existence. This demonstrates that earthly power, no matter how absolute it seems, is ultimately subject to the divine will, which can cause it to "flee" or be "removed" at any moment.
* **The Transient Nature of Worldly Power**: The consistent application of נוּד (`{{H5111}}`) to the actions of kings and the consequences of their pride reinforces the biblical theme that human kingdoms are temporary and subject to divine decree. God is the one who "removes kings and sets up kings" ([[Daniel 2:21]]), embodying the ultimate power to נוּד (alter) the course of history.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb נוּד (nûwd, `{{H5111}}`) is a potent term in the Book of Daniel, extending beyond a simple meaning of "to flee." While it carries the core sense of departure, its primary biblical usage emphasizes a transitive action: "to remove," "to alter," or "to cause to depart." This is evident in its application to changing words ([[Daniel 2:9]]), stripping leaves ([[Daniel 4:14]]), and removing individuals from power or life ([[Daniel 5:19]]). Theologically, נוּד (`{{H5111}}`) powerfully articulates God's absolute sovereignty over truth, human destiny, and the rise and fall of earthly powers. It serves as a stark reminder that all things, save for the divine Word, are subject to change and removal according to God's immutable will.
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