### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word nîydâh (`{{H5206}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the verbal root nûd (נוּד, `{{H5110}}`), which fundamentally means "to shake, to wander, to flee, to show grief or lament." As a noun, nîydâh carries the core meaning of "removal" or "being removed." Its primary semantic extension in biblical usage is "exile" or "banishment," denoting a forced displacement from one's homeland or community. It can also imply a state of being "cast off" or "set apart," often with a nuance of defilement or disgrace.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term nîydâh (`{{H5206}}`) appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, yet its few occurrences are profoundly significant:
* **[[Lamentations 1:8]]**: "Jerusalem has sinned grievously; therefore she has become a nîydâh (removed thing)." In this context, the word describes Jerusalem's state of being cast off, put away, or made an object of scorn due to her profound sin. It speaks directly to the consequence of disobedience, leading to a state akin to ostracism or defilement in the aftermath of the Babylonian exile, where her former glory is lost.
* **[[Lamentations 1:17]]**: "Zion stretches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her; the LORD has commanded concerning Jacob that his neighbors should be his adversaries; Jerusalem has become a nîydâh (removed thing) among them." Similar to the previous verse, this highlights Jerusalem's profound isolation and humiliation, emphasizing her state of being set apart or removed from favor, a direct result of divine judgment and the absence of comfort.
* **[[Psalm 60:3]] [MT 60:5]**: "You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us nîydâh (stagger)." In this psalm of lament and petition, nîydâh is often translated as "staggering" or "reeling." This usage connects to the root's meaning of "shaking" or "wandering," depicting a people disoriented, weak, and vulnerable, likely in the face of military defeat or national calamity. While differing from the "exile" meaning, it still conveys a state of being "removed" from stability and security.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **nûd (נוּד, `{{H5110}}`)**: The verbal root from which nîydâh is derived. It encompasses meanings of "to wander, to flee, to shake, to lament," providing the foundational concept of instability, movement, and distress.
* **nîd (נִיד, `{{H5078}}`)**: The masculine noun from the same root, meaning "shaking, trembling, flight." It is the direct masculine counterpart to nîydâh.
* **gālûth (גָּלוּת, `{{H1546}}`)**: A more common and direct term for "exile" or "captivity." While nîydâh can denote exile, gālûth primarily refers to the physical displacement of the Babylonian exile. nîydâh emphasizes the *state* of being removed or cast off, often with nuances of defilement or disgrace, whereas gālûth focuses on the physical condition of being in captivity.
* **šābût (שְׁבוּת, `{{H7629}}`)**: Another related term for "captivity" or "exile," often found in phrases like "restore the fortunes/captivity."
* **Concepts of Impurity/Defilement**: In Lamentations, nîydâh is used in a context where Jerusalem is described as "unclean" or "defiled" ([[Lamentations 1:8]]). This suggests a state of ritual or moral contamination that necessitates removal or separation from the holy.
### Theological Significance
The use of nîydâh (`{{H5206}}`), particularly in the book of Lamentations, underscores its profound theological weight as a descriptor of divine judgment. It powerfully portrays the devastating consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. When Israel or Judah becomes nîydâh, it signifies that they have been removed from God's favor and protection, experiencing the painful reality of separation and displacement. In [[Lamentations 1]], nîydâh speaks to the deep humiliation and desolation experienced by Jerusalem; it is not merely a physical removal but a spiritual and social degradation, a city cast out and scorned due to its sin. This highlights God's justice and holiness, demonstrating that He will not tolerate persistent rebellion. The nuance of "staggering" in [[Psalm 60:3]] also carries theological import, illustrating a people who have lost their stability and direction because God has "shaken" them or withdrawn His steadying hand. It suggests a state of divine displeasure leading to national disorientation and vulnerability. Ultimately, nîydâh serves as a stark reminder of the covenant curses outlined in passages such as [[Deuteronomy 28]], where disobedience leads to being "plucked off the land" and becoming an object of scorn among nations. It emphasizes the severity of sin and the just consequences meted out by a righteous God, yet implicitly points to the hope of future restoration when the state of nîydâh will be reversed.
### Summary
nîydâh (`{{H5206}}`) is a feminine noun meaning "removal," "exile," or a state of being "cast off," derived from the root nûd (to shake, wander). Its most poignant uses are in [[Lamentations 1:8]] and [[Lamentations 1:17]], where it describes Jerusalem's desolate state of being "removed" or "put away" due to her grievous sin, highlighting divine judgment and her resultant humiliation and isolation. In [[Psalm 60:3]], it takes on the nuance of "staggering" or "reeling," depicting a people disoriented by divine displeasure. Theologically, nîydâh powerfully conveys the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, illustrating a people separated from God's favor and protection, experiencing the painful reality of displacement and degradation as a direct result of their rebellion. It underscores God's justice and the deep spiritual and physical ramifications of sin, serving as a solemn reminder of the cost of disobedience.
TRV