The Hebrew word nᵉmibzeh, represented by H5240, means despised or vile. Derived from the root בָּזָה, this term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in a single verse in the entire Bible, yet its context provides a significant lesson on obedience and human judgment.
The sole appearance of H5240 is in the narrative of King Saul's disobedience. In 1 Samuel 15:9, Saul and his people were commanded to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions. Instead, they spared the king and "the best of the sheep, and of the oxen... and all that was good." They only destroyed what they considered vile and refuse. Here, vile is used to describe the things that were deemed worthless and not worth keeping, highlighting a selective obedience based on human valuation.
The meaning of H5240 is sharpened by its contrast with other words in its immediate context:
- H2896 ṭôwb (good): This word, used for what Saul spared, has a wide-ranging meaning of something being good, pleasant, or beautiful. In the context of God's requirements, what is truly good is defined by obedience (Micah 6:8, 1 Samuel 15:22).
- H4315 mêyṭâb (best): This term specifically denotes the best part of something. Saul's decision to keep the best of the plunder (1 Samuel 15:9, 1 Samuel 15:15) directly violated God's command.
- H4549 mâçaç (refuse): Paired directly with vile, this word means to liquefy, waste away, or faint. In 1 Samuel 15:9 it is translated as refuse, signifying something that is wasting away or worthless. Figuratively, it is used to describe hearts that melt in fear (Joshua 2:11, Psalms 22:14).
The theological weight of H5240 is found entirely within its specific narrative context, illustrating a critical spiritual failure.
- Human Valuation vs. Divine Command: The use of vile reveals a judgment based on human perception of value. Saul and the people decided what was "good" H2896 to keep and what was vile to destroy, substituting their own assessment for God's absolute command.
- The Sin of Partial Obedience: By destroying only the things they considered vile and refuse, they demonstrated a self-serving obedience. This act showed that they valued the spoils of war over complete submission to God, a point Samuel later makes when he says, "to obey is better H2896 than sacrifice" 1 Samuel 15:22.
- Defining Worthlessness: The term marks the items as despised and of no material value. This stands in stark contrast to God's economy, where the most valuable thing is not material wealth but faithful obedience.
In summary, while H5240 nᵉmibzeh is used only once, its role in 1 Samuel 15:9 is pivotal. It functions as the negative counterpart to "good" and "best," crystallizing the essence of Saul's sin. The word marks the items that were destroyed not out of obedience, but because they were perceived as worthless. It serves as a permanent reminder that substituting human judgment for divine instruction, even regarding things considered vile, constitutes a profound act of disobedience.
TRV