English · KJV
H5169

נָחַץ

nâchats /naw-khats'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto be urgent
KJV usagerequire haste.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nâchats — 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 nâchats, represented by H5169, means to be urgent or to require haste. It is a very specific term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. Its singular use highlights a moment of critical, time-sensitive need.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its sole biblical appearance, H5169 is used by David to explain his unprepared state to Ahimelech. He states, "the king's business required haste" 1 Samuel 21:8. This context emphasizes a situation of such extreme urgency that normal preparations were impossible, forcing David to flee without his sword or weapons.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its only context help clarify its meaning:

  • H1697 dâbâr (a word; by implication, a matter... or thing): In the verse where H5169 appears, this word is translated as "business," referring to the urgent matter from the king 1 Samuel 21:8. It more broadly refers to a "word" or "thing," as in God's message to Abram Genesis 15:1.
  • H1961 hâyâh (to exist, i.e. be or become... require): This verb, translated as "required" in the passage, gives the sense of being or existence to the urgency. It is the same foundational verb used for God's creative declaration, "Let there be light" Genesis 1:3 and His own name, "I AM" Exodus 3:14.

Theological Significance

While used only once, the context of H5169 touches on significant theological concepts through its associated words.

  • The Priority of a Commission: The phrase "the king's business" H1697 required haste, establishing a principle of urgency tied to a command from an authority 1 Samuel 21:8. This highlights how a "word" or "matter" from a superior dictates immediate action, a concept echoed in the divine "word of the LORD" found in other passages Genesis 15:1.
  • The State of Being Urgent: The verb "required" comes from H1961 hâyâh, the fundamental verb for "to be" or "to exist." This links the urgency not just to a command, but to a state of being that defined the situation. The same verb underpins God's creative power ("let there be light") and His covenantal presence ("I will be your God") (Genesis 1:3, Leviticus 26:12).

Summary

In summary, H5169 provides a specific and singular focus on the concept of haste. Though it appears only once, its placement in the narrative of David's flight 1 Samuel 21:8 is instructive. It demonstrates how a pressing "business" H1697 can dictate action, and through its connection to the fundamental verb for existence, H1961, it frames this urgency as an overriding state of being. The word nâchats serves as a potent example of how even the rarest biblical terms derive rich meaning from their immediate context.

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 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — 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.

  • נָחוּץ

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.

H1697 דָּבָר from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, H1961 הָיָה a primitive root (compare הָוָא); to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or a

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

1 verse, all in 1 Samuel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.