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H5258

נָסַךְ

nâçak /naw-sak'/ Ask about this word
a primitive root
to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint aking
cover, melt, offer, (cause to) pour (out), set (up).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nâçak — 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 nâçak, represented by H5258, is a primitive root primarily meaning to pour out. It appears 25 times across 24 unique verses in the Bible. The word's application is diverse, encompassing actions such as pouring a libation, casting metal, anointing a king, and metaphorically to cover or set up.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H5258 carries several distinct applications. A primary use is for the ritual act of pouring out a drink offering. This is seen in acts of devotion to God, such as Jacob anointing a pillar Genesis 35:14 and David pouring out water to the LORD 2 Samuel 23:16. However, the term is frequently used to describe idolatrous practices, specifically the pouring out of drink offerings to the "queen of heaven" and other gods, which provokes the LORD to anger (Jeremiah 7:18; Jeremiah 32:29). The word also denotes the casting or melting of metal, particularly in the creation of idols (Isaiah 40:19; Isaiah 44:10). Figuratively, it is used for the anointing or establishing of a king by God Psalms 2:6 and for the sovereign act of God pouring out a spirit of deep sleep upon people Isaiah 29:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the scope of H5258:

  • H5262 neçek (a libation; also a cast idol): As the noun form, this word captures the two main products of the verb's action. It can refer to a "drink offering" Psalms 16:4 or a "molten image" created by a founder Jeremiah 10:14.
  • H3332 yâtsaq (to pour out... melt or cast as metal): This verb is often used in parallel with H5258. In the account of Jacob consecrating a pillar, he "poured" H5258 a drink offering on it, and he also "poured" H3332 oil on it Genesis 35:14.
  • H5324 nâtsab (to station... erect, establish... set (over, up)): This term connects to the concept of establishing or anointing found in H5258. Jacob first "set up" H5324 a pillar before he "poured" H5258 a drink offering on it, linking the physical establishment to the ritual act.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of H5258 are significant, touching on worship, idolatry, and divine authority.

  • Worship and Consecration: The act of pouring out a libation is a fundamental expression of worship. It is commanded in the law for offerings to the LORD Numbers 28:7 and is also seen in personal acts of sacrifice and dedication, such as David pouring out water he would not drink 2 Samuel 23:16.
  • The Sin of Idolatry: The term is a focal point in the condemnation of idolatry. Pouring drink offerings to false deities like the "queen of heaven" is presented as a defiant act that provokes God's anger Jeremiah 32:29. Similarly, using this action to "melt" or cast a graven image is condemned as creating something worthless Isaiah 44:10.
  • Divine Appointment and Sovereignty: Beyond human ritual, H5258 is used to describe God's sovereign acts. God "set" His king upon Zion Psalms 2:6, and Wisdom declares, "I was set up from everlasting" Proverbs 8:23, establishing a theme of divine appointment and eternal establishment.

Summary

In summary, H5258 is a dynamic word whose meaning is heavily shaped by its context. It illustrates the physical act of pouring, whether as a sacred drink offering to God, a rebellious libation to an idol, or the casting of molten metal. Furthermore, it carries the metaphorical weight of divine appointment, as in the setting up of a king or the establishment of eternal wisdom. The use of nâçak underscores a critical biblical theme: the direction and object of one's offering determines whether the act is one of holy worship or profane idolatry.

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 25 occurrences, inflected in 13 grammatical forms — 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.

  • הַסֵּךְ
  • יַּסֵּךְ
  • נָסַךְ
  • יֻסַּךְ
  • יַּסִּיכוּ
  • הִסִּכוּ
  • אַסִּיךְ
  • נִסַּכְתִּי
  • יְנַסֵּךְ
  • תִסְּכוּ
  • יִסְּכוּ
  • נְסֹךְ
  • נָסַכְתִּי

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.

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

Appears in 24 verses across 12 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Jeremiah (7 verses); never once in the other 27.

1
Genesis
3
Exodus
1
Numbers
1
2 Samuel
1
2 Kings
1
1 Chronicles
2
Psalms
1
Proverbs
4
Isaiah
7
Jeremiah
1
Ezekiel
1
Hosea

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.