### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma נִיס (nîyç), `{{H5211}}`, is a masculine singular participle derived from the verbal root נוּס (nûs), `{{H5127}}`, which means "to flee," "to escape," or "to take flight." Consequently, נִיס (nîyç) functions adjectivally or substantively to describe "one who flees," or more commonly, "a fugitive." The core meaning encapsulates the act of rapid departure, often necessitated by danger, pursuit, or an undesirable situation. It implies a state of being on the run, a hurried withdrawal from a place or circumstance, indicating vulnerability, displacement, or an attempt to avoid confrontation or capture. The term inherently suggests a separation from a previous state or location, driven by an external force or internal fear.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term נִיס (nîyç), `{{H5211}}`, appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its limited occurrences provide sharp contextual insights into its usage:
* **[[Job 41:28]]**: "The arrow cannot make him flee" (KJV/ESV/NIV: "fugitive"). In this vivid description of Leviathan's formidable power and invincibility, the text asserts that no weapon, not even an arrow, can cause this creature to become a "fugitive" or to flee. Here, נִיס (nîyç) underscores Leviathan's absolute dominance and lack of vulnerability, emphasizing that it cannot be put to flight or made to retreat by any human means. The context highlights an insurmountable power that cannot be escaped or intimidated.
* **[[Isaiah 15:5]]**: "My heart cries out for Moab; her fugitives flee to Zoar, to Eglath-shelishiyah" (KJV/ESV: "fugitives"). This verse is part of a prophetic lament concerning the destruction and desolation of Moab. The "fugitives" (נִיסִיהָ, the plural form with a possessive suffix) refer to the inhabitants of Moab who are desperately fleeing their homeland due to an impending disaster or invasion. This usage powerfully conveys the distress, displacement, and vulnerability of a people overwhelmed by calamity, seeking refuge in distant places. It paints a picture of widespread panic and the tragic consequences of war or divine judgment.
Across both contexts, נִיס (nîyç) consistently denotes individuals or entities in a state of flight, either highlighting their inescapable power (as in Job) or their desperate vulnerability (as in Isaiah).
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding נִיס (nîyç) is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **نوּס (nûs), `{{H5127}}`**: This is the foundational verb from which נִיס (nîyç) is derived. It is far more common and describes the *action* of fleeing, escaping, or taking refuge. Examples include David fleeing from Saul ([[1 Samuel 19:12]]), or the wicked fleeing when no one pursues ([[Proverbs 28:1]]). The participle נִיס (nîyç) describes the *state* or *identity* of one engaged in this action.
* **מִקְלָט (miqlāṭ), `{{H4733}}`**: Meaning "refuge" or "asylum," particularly in the context of the cities of refuge designated for unintentional manslayers ([[Numbers 35:6]]). These cities were the intended destination for those who had become "fugitives" from the avenger of blood.
* **מָנוֹס (mānôs), `{{H4498}}`**: Denotes a "place of refuge" or "escape." This noun often describes the means or location of safety for one who is fleeing.
* **רָדַף (rāḏap̄), `{{H7291}}`**: "To pursue," "to chase." This verb often represents the inverse action of fleeing, highlighting the dynamic between pursuer and pursued.
* **צָר (ṣār), `{{H6862}}`**: "Adversary," "enemy," or "distress." Often, the "fugitive" flees from a *ṣār*.
The concept of fleeing is frequently intertwined with themes of fear, judgment, warfare, and persecution, leading to the broader biblical narratives of displacement, exile, and the search for divine protection.
### Theological Significance
The theological implications of "fleeing" or being a "fugitive" in the Bible are multifaceted:
* **Consequence of Sin and Judgment**: The state of being a fugitive is often depicted as a direct consequence of sin or divine judgment. While not using נִיס (nîyç) specifically, Cain's curse to be a "fugitive and a wanderer" ([[Genesis 4:12]]) sets a powerful precedent. The Moabites in [[Isaiah 15:5]] become fugitives as a result of impending judgment, illustrating the vulnerability of nations before God's decree.
* **Inescapability of Divine Power**: The usage in [[Job 41:28]] regarding Leviathan, a creature of immense power, subtly points to a greater theological truth: there are forces, and ultimately God Himself, from whom no one can flee or become a fugitive. This underscores divine omnipotence and inescapable sovereignty. The futility of attempting to flee from God's presence, as seen in Jonah's flight from the Lord's command ([[Jonah 1:3]], using נוּס, `{{H5127}}`), reinforces this theological principle.
* **Vulnerability and Compassion**: The plight of "fugitives" often evokes a sense of human vulnerability and can elicit compassion, even from those delivering prophetic pronouncements of judgment. The prophet's heart crying out for Moab's fugitives in [[Isaiah 15:5]] demonstrates empathy for the suffering caused by conflict and displacement, a theme resonant throughout biblical narratives of war and exile.
* **Seeking Divine Refuge**: While נִיס (nîyç) itself describes the one fleeing, the broader biblical concept of flight often leads to the theme of seeking refuge in God. The psalmist frequently declares God as his "refuge and strength" ([[Psalm 46:1]], using related concepts of shelter and safety), emphasizing that true and ultimate security is found in the Divine presence, especially when one is a "fugitive" from earthly threats.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נִיס (nîyç), `{{H5211}}`, derived from נוּס (nûs), `{{H5127}}`, precisely denotes "a fugitive" or "one who flees." Though rare in its direct occurrence, appearing in [[Job 41:28]] and [[Isaiah 15:5]], its contexts are highly illustrative. In Job, it highlights the unyielding power of Leviathan, from whom no escape is possible. In Isaiah, it poignantly describes the desperate flight of the Moabites facing calamity. Theologically, נִיס (nîyç) contributes to biblical themes of divine judgment and its consequences, the inescapable nature of ultimate power (especially God's), and the profound vulnerability of humanity in the face of overwhelming forces. It encapsulates the human experience of distress and displacement, often leading to the profound theological reality of seeking refuge in the sovereign God.
TRV