English · KJV
H5137

נָזָה

nâzâh /naw-zaw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto spirt, i.e. besprinkle (especially in expiation)
KJV usagesprinkle.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nâzâh — 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 nâzâh, represented by H5137, is a primitive root meaning to spirt or besprinkle, particularly in the context of expiation. It appears 24 times across 22 unique verses in the Bible. The term primarily describes the act of spattering a liquid, most often as a key component of ceremonial purification and consecration.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical law, H5137 is used in specific ritual contexts. Priests are commanded to sprinkle the blood H1818 of a sin offering H2403 upon the altar Leviticus 5:9 or before the LORD seven times to achieve cleansing (Leviticus 4:6, Leviticus 16:19). The action is also essential for personal purification, such as when sprinkling water to cleanse a person from leprosy Leviticus 14:7 or after contact with the dead Numbers 19:19. The word also appears in prophetic passages, where a figure will sprinkle many nations, causing kings to be silent Isaiah 52:15, and in a vision of divine judgment where God's garments are sprinkled with the blood H5332 of His enemies Isaiah 63:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the function and purpose of sprinkling:

  • H2881 ṭâbal (to dip, to immerse): This action is frequently performed immediately before sprinkling. For instance, a priest would dip his finger in the blood before he would sprinkle it Leviticus 4:6, or a clean person would dip hyssop in water to sprinkle a tent Numbers 19:18.
  • H2891 ṭâhêr (to be pure... be (make, make self, pronounce) clean, cleanse (self), purge, purify(-ier, self)): This term describes the intended result of ritual sprinkling. The act of sprinkling is performed so that an individual may be pronounced clean Leviticus 14:7 or make themselves clean Numbers 8:7.
  • H1818 dâm (blood): As the primary substance used in sacrificial sprinkling, blood is central to the meaning of the ritual. It was sprinkled on the mercy seat Leviticus 16:14 and used to hallow Aaron and his sons for the priesthood Exodus 29:21.
  • H3526 kâbaç (to wash): In purification rites, sprinkling is often paired with washing. To be made clean, the Levites were to have water of purifying sprinkled on them and then wash their clothes Numbers 8:7.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5137 is significant, highlighting key principles of worship and divine action.

  • Atonement and Purification: Sprinkling is a foundational mechanism for cleansing from sin H2403 and ritual uncleanness. The sprinkling of blood from a sin offering Leviticus 5:9 or water of purifying Numbers 8:7 was necessary for atonement and restoring a person to a state of cleanness.
  • Consecration and Sanctification: The act is used to set people and objects apart as holy H6942. Priests were consecrated by being sprinkled with a mixture of anointing oil and blood (Exodus 29:21, Leviticus 8:30). Likewise, the altar and its vessels were sanctified through sprinkling Leviticus 8:11.
  • Divine Judgment and Authority: Beyond ritual, sprinkling is a metaphor for God's sovereign power. In Isaiah, God is depicted treading the winepress of his fury, resulting in the blood of his enemies being sprinkled upon his garments Isaiah 63:3. Conversely, the servant who will sprinkle many nations demonstrates a startling authority that leaves world leaders speechless Isaiah 52:15.

Summary

In summary, H5137 is far more than a simple verb for spattering liquid. It is a precise term in Levitical law, indispensable for the rites of atonement, purification from sin, and the sanctification of both people and objects for holy purposes. At the same time, it serves as a powerful image in prophecy, capable of representing both the awesome authority of God's servant and the fierceness of divine judgment. The word demonstrates how a physical ritual act can signify profound spiritual truths about sin, holiness, and God's relationship with humanity.

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 24 occurrences, inflected in 8 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.

  • הִזָּה
  • יִזֶּה
  • יַּז
  • יַזֶּה
  • הִזֵּיתָ
  • הַזֵּה
  • מַזֵּה
  • יִּז

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.

H1818 דָּם from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of H2403 חַטָּאָה or חַטָּאת; from חָטָא; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; H5332 נֵצַח probably identical with נֶצַח, through the idea of brilliancy of color; juice of the grape (as blood red); blood, streng H2881 טָבַל a primitive root; to dip, to immerse; dip, plunge. H2891 טָהֵר a primitive root; properly, to be bright; i.e. (by implication); to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levit H3526 כָּבַס a primitive root; to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulli

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 22 verses across 5 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Leviticus (13 verses); never once in the other 34.

1
Exodus
13
Leviticus
5
Numbers
1
2 Kings
2
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.