the same as נוֹדlemma נוֹדּ extra dagesh, corrected to נוֹד; vagrancy; Nod, the land of Cain; Nod.
Transliteration:Nôwd
Pronunciation:node
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term נוֹד (Nôwd) `{{H5113}}` is a noun derived from the verbal root נוּד (nûd) `{{H5110}}`, which carries the primary semantic range of "to wander, to be a fugitive, to shake, to lament." As a noun, נוֹד `{{H5113}}` specifically denotes "vagrancy" or "wandering," encapsulating a state of restless movement and instability. Its most significant usage in the biblical text is as a proper noun, "Nod," referring to the geographical region to which Cain was exiled after committing fratricide. The very name "Nod" is thus inherently symbolic, imbued with the meaning of its root, signifying a place defined by the curse of wandering and separation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word נוֹד (Nôwd) `{{H5113}}` appears uniquely in the Hebrew Bible in [[Genesis 4:16]]. This singular occurrence is profoundly significant within its narrative context. Following Cain's murder of his brother Abel, God declares a curse upon him, stating that he will be "a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth" (נָע וָנָד, *na' vanad*). In response to this divine judgment, the text records Cain's departure: "So Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden" (וַיֵּשֶׁב בְּאֶרֶץ־נוֹד קִדְמַת־עֵדֶן).
The naming of this land as "Nod" is not incidental; it is a direct reflection of Cain's cursed state. It is not presented as a pre-existing geographical entity but rather as a place whose very name encapsulates the nature of Cain's punishment and his resultant condition. The land of Nod thus becomes the physical manifestation of Cain's spiritual and existential wandering, a place of exile from God's immediate presence and the stability of the paradisiacal existence that preceded it. This solitary mention powerfully underscores the punitive and symbolic weight of the location in the biblical narrative.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation of נוֹד (Nôwd) `{{H5113}}` is to its verbal root, נוּד (nûd) `{{H5110}}`. This verb is explicitly used in God's pronouncement of judgment upon Cain in [[Genesis 4:12]], where he is cursed to be "a fugitive and a wanderer" (נָע וָנָד) on the earth. The noun נוֹד `{{H5113}}` is a direct nominalization of this very state, thereby linking the place to the curse.
Other related concepts that illuminate the meaning of Nod include:
* **Exile and Banishment:** The act of being cast out from one's homeland or community, often as a consequence of transgression.
* **Fugitivity:** The state of being a fugitive, characterized by flight and hiding.
* **Instability and Restlessness:** The antithesis of peace, settledness, and security, reflecting a profound lack of inner and outer peace.
* **Divine Judgment:** The ultimate source of Cain's wandering and the naming of Nod, highlighting the consequences of sin.
While the concept of "wandering" appears elsewhere in the biblical narrative (e.g., Abraham's sojourning, [[Genesis 12:1]]; Israel's wilderness wanderings, [[Numbers 14:33]]), Nod is unique in that it is a specific geographic location *named* in direct consequence of a divine curse, signifying the spiritual state of its inhabitant.
### Theological Significance
The land of Nod transcends a mere geographical designation; it functions as a profound theological symbol within the early chapters of Genesis. It embodies the immediate and tangible consequences of humanity's first act of violence and rebellion against God. Cain's expulsion to Nod signifies a definitive departure from the sphere of divine blessing and intimate presence, representing a state of profound alienation from God and, by extension, from the nascent human community.
The "wandering" inherent in the name Nod is not merely physical movement but denotes a deep spiritual restlessness and an absence of peace, which are the direct results of unconfessed sin and a broken covenantal relationship with the Creator. It powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that sin leads to separation, instability, and a life devoid of true rest, contrasting sharply with the peace and settledness found in obedience and communion with God. Nod thus stands as a stark and enduring reminder of the immediate and lasting effects of sin, depicting a human endeavor to build a civilization apart from God, often characterized by its own forms of violence and pride, as exemplified by Cain's descendants (e.g., Lamech in [[Genesis 4:23-24]]).
### Summary
The Hebrew word נוֹד (Nôwd) `{{H5113}}`, meaning "vagrancy" or "wandering," is known almost exclusively as the name of the land where Cain settled after committing the first murder. Its singular appearance in [[Genesis 4:16]] is profoundly symbolic, as its name is directly derived from the verbal root נוּד `{{H5110}}`, "to wander" or "to be a fugitive." Nod is not merely a geographical location but a theological construct, representing the state of alienation, restlessness, and instability that results from sin and divine judgment. It underscores the profound consequences of humanity's rebellion against God, where departure from His presence leads to a life defined by spiritual and existential wandering. The land of Nod thus serves as an enduring reminder of the curse of sin and the separation it brings between humanity and its Creator.
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