' from נָכַר; foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom; alien, strange ([phrase] -er).
Transliteration:nêkâr
Pronunciation:nay-kawr'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun נֵכָר (nêkâr), transliterated as *nêkâr*, derives from the root נָכַר (nâkar) `{{H5234}}`, which carries a dual semantic range: to recognize or discern, and conversely, to be strange or alien. In its nominal form, *nêkâr* primarily conveys the sense of "foreignness," "alienation," or "strangeness." Its semantic scope encompasses several key aspects:
1. **Foreign Land/Country:** It can refer to a land that is not one's homeland, a place where one is an alien or sojourner.
2. **Foreign Person/People:** Concretely, it can denote a foreigner or an alien individual, though other terms like נָכְרִי (nokrî) `{{H5237}}` are more commonly used for this specific meaning.
3. **Foreign Gods/Idolatry:** Abstractly and most significantly, *nêkâr* is frequently employed to refer to "foreign gods" or the practice of idolatry, embodying the essence of "heathendom" or "alien worship." This usage highlights a profound spiritual and theological "otherness" that stands in opposition to the worship of Yahweh.
4. **Strange/Unusual:** Less frequently, it can describe something that is unusual, unfamiliar, or even astonishing, as in a "strange work" or "alien task."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of *nêkâr* in the Hebrew Bible reveal its critical theological and social implications, particularly concerning Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh.
A prominent usage of *nêkâr* is in the phrase אֱלֹהֵי נֵכָר (*ʾĕlōhê nêkâr*), "foreign gods." This phrase appears numerous times, underscoring the constant temptation and danger of idolatry for the Israelites. In [[Genesis 35:2]], Jacob instructs his household to "put away the foreign gods that are among you," signifying a purification before approaching God at Bethel. Similarly, in [[Joshua 24:20]], Joshua warns the people against forsaking Yahweh and serving "foreign gods," lest divine judgment befall them. This theme is reiterated throughout the historical books, as seen in [[Judges 10:16]], where the Israelites "put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord." The prophets also condemn the adoption of "foreign gods," as in [[Jeremiah 5:19]] and [[Jeremiah 8:19]], linking it directly to Israel's rebellion and subsequent punishment. This consistent usage emphasizes the exclusive nature of the covenant with Yahweh and the severe consequences of spiritual infidelity.
Beyond idolatry, *nêkâr* can denote a foreign land or even a foreign king. In [[Exodus 2:22]], Moses names his son Gershom, saying, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land" (בְּאֶרֶץ נֵכָר). This highlights the experience of displacement and alien status. [[Deuteronomy 17:15]] stipulates that Israel must not set a "foreigner" (נָכְרִי) over them as king, a principle that implicitly relates to the concept of *nêkâr* as "alien" or "not one's brother." While nokrî is used there, the underlying concept of an "other" is shared.
Intriguingly, *nêkâr* can also describe God's actions. In [[Isaiah 28:21]], God's impending judgment is referred to as "his strange work" (מַעֲשֵׂהוּ נֵכָר) and "his alien task" (עֲבֹדָתוֹ נָכְרִיָּה). Here, *nêkâr* conveys the unexpected or unusual nature of God's actions, particularly His use of judgment, which might seem "strange" given His covenant of grace. This demonstrates the breadth of the term to describe anything outside the expected or familiar realm.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word *nêkâr* is intimately connected to a cluster of terms and concepts that define Israel's identity, covenant, and relationship with the surrounding world.
* **נָכַר (nâkar) `{{H5234}}`:** The verbal root from which *nêkâr* derives. It signifies "to know, recognize, acknowledge," but also "to be strange, alien, unknown." This dual meaning underscores the inherent tension in the concept of "foreignness"—it is something not fully known or understood, and therefore potentially threatening or distinct.
* **נָכְרִי (nokrî) `{{H5237}}`:** This adjective/noun means "foreign," "alien," or "stranger." It is often used to describe foreign individuals, particularly "foreign women" who posed a threat to Israel's religious and ethnic purity (e.g., [[Nehemiah 13:27]], [[Malachi 2:11]]). While *nêkâr* can refer to the abstract concept of foreignness or foreign gods, *nokrî* typically refers to the foreign person.
* **גֵּר (ger) `{{H1616}}`:** "Sojourner," "resident alien." Unlike *nêkâr* or *nokrî*, which often carry negative or cautionary connotations, the *ger* was a foreigner residing within Israelite society who was often afforded specific legal and social protections under the Mosaic Law (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 10:19]]). This distinction highlights that not all "foreigners" were viewed with the same degree of suspicion; those who lived peaceably and adhered to basic societal norms were to be treated with hospitality.
* **זוּר (zûr) `{{H2114}}`:** "To be a stranger," "to turn aside." This verb also conveys the idea of being alien or turning away from the norm, often in a negative sense, as in "strange fire" ([[Leviticus 10:1]]) or "strange woman" ([[Proverbs 2:16]]).
* **Concepts of Purity and Separation:** The consistent emphasis on avoiding "foreign gods" and "foreign women" underscores Israel's call to be a holy and separate people (קָדוֹשׁ - qadosh `{{H6918}}`), distinct from the nations around them. This separation was not merely ethnic but, more importantly, theological and ethical, designed to preserve their unique covenant with Yahweh.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *nêkâr* is profound, central to understanding Israel's identity, covenant fidelity, and the nature of Yahweh's exclusive claim on His people.
1. **Exclusive Worship of Yahweh:** The most critical theological implication of *nêkâr* lies in its frequent association with "foreign gods" (אֱלֹהֵי נֵכָר). The First Commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me" ([[Exodus 20:3]]), directly addresses the threat posed by *nêkâr*. The presence or worship of foreign gods was not merely a deviation but an act of covenant infidelity, a direct affront to Yahweh's sovereignty and His unique relationship with Israel. It represented a fundamental betrayal of trust and a rejection of the one true God.
2. **Covenantal Faithfulness and Apostasy:** The narrative of Israel's history is often framed by their oscillation between faithfulness to Yahweh and succumbing to the allure of *nêkâr*. The prophets consistently warned that turning to foreign gods would lead to divine judgment, exile, and the breaking of the covenant (e.g., [[Jeremiah 5:19]]). Thus, *nêkâr* serves as a theological marker for apostasy and spiritual idolatry.
3. **Purity and Holiness:** The concept of *nêkâr* also extends to the broader idea of spiritual and ritual purity. Involvement with foreign gods or foreign practices was seen as defiling, compromising Israel's holiness as a nation set apart for Yahweh. The call to "put away the foreign gods" ([[Genesis 35:2]]) was a call to internal cleansing and renewed consecration to God.
4. **God's Unfamiliar Actions:** The use of *nêkâr* to describe God's "strange work" in [[Isaiah 28:21]] offers a unique theological insight. It suggests that even God's actions, particularly His judgments, can be perceived as "alien" or "unfamiliar" to human understanding, challenging conventional expectations of His intervention. This highlights the transcendence and ultimate inscrutability of God's ways.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נֵכָר (*nêkâr*) signifies that which is "foreign," "alien," or "strange." While it can refer to foreign lands or, less commonly, foreign people, its most potent and frequent theological application is to "foreign gods" (אֱלֹהֵי נֵכָר). In this context, *nêkâr* stands as a direct antithesis to the worship of Yahweh, symbolizing idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and spiritual defilement. The biblical narrative repeatedly warns against the dangers of adopting *nêkâr*, emphasizing Israel's unique calling to exclusive devotion to their God. The concept of *nêkâr* thus underscores the critical importance of monotheism, covenant fidelity, and the preservation of Israel's distinct identity as a holy nation set apart for the Lord. Even in instances where God's own actions are described as "strange" or "alien," the term highlights the profound and often unexpected nature of divine sovereignty.
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