or נֵסֶךְ; from נָסַךְ; a libation; also a cast idol; cover, drink offering, molten image.
Transliteration:neçek
Pronunciation:neh'-sek
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H5262}}` (נֶסֶךְ, *neçek*) derives from the verb `{{H5258}}` (נָסַךְ, *nasak*), which carries a dual semantic range: "to pour out" and "to cast (metal)." This foundational duality is precisely reflected in the two primary meanings of `{{H5262}}`.
Firstly, `{{H5262}}` most frequently denotes a **libation** or **drink offering**. In this sense, it refers to the act of pouring out liquid, typically wine or oil, as an act of worship, dedication, or appeasement to a deity. This meaning is directly tied to the "pouring out" aspect of its root.
Secondly, `{{H5262}}` can signify a **molten image** or **cast idol**. This meaning stems from the "casting metal" sense of the root verb, where molten material is poured into a mold to form an image. This usage highlights the human fabrication of deities, often in contrast to the living God.
The precise meaning of `{{H5262}}` in any given passage is thus entirely dependent on its immediate context, which clearly distinguishes between an act of pouring and a physical object formed by casting.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of `{{H5262}}` throughout the Hebrew Bible vividly illustrate its dual nature.
In its sense as a **drink offering**, `{{H5262}}` is a ubiquitous component of Israelite sacrificial worship, particularly within the Pentateuch. It is prescribed alongside burnt offerings (`{{H5930}}`), grain offerings (`{{H4503}}`), and peace offerings (`{{H8002}}`), signifying a complete and comprehensive act of devotion. For instance, [[Exodus 29:40]] details the daily burnt offering accompanied by a quarter hin of wine as a drink offering. Numbers chapters 15 and 28-29 extensively enumerate the precise quantities of wine or strong drink required for various offerings, such as [[Numbers 15:5]] and [[Numbers 28:7]]. Jacob's pouring out a drink offering upon the pillar at Bethel in [[Genesis 35:14]] demonstrates its use in personal acts of worship and covenant affirmation.
However, the prophets frequently condemn the offering of neçek to foreign gods, highlighting Israel's apostasy. [[Jeremiah 7:18]] and [[Jeremiah 19:13]] speak of pouring out drink offerings to other gods in the streets of Jerusalem. Most poignantly, [[Jeremiah 44:17-19]] records the defiant declaration of the exiles in Egypt, insisting on continuing to burn incense and pour out drink offerings to the "Queen of Heaven," illustrating a profound theological rebellion.
In its sense as a **molten image** or **cast idol**, `{{H5262}}` appears primarily in prophetic literature, condemning idolatry. [[Isaiah 30:1]] warns against those who make a "molten image" not of God's Spirit. [[Isaiah 41:29]] dismisses idols as "molten images" that are "wind and confusion." [[Isaiah 48:5]] refers to the Lord's foretelling of events to prevent Israel from attributing them to their "molten image." [[Jeremiah 10:14]] (and [[Jeremiah 51:17]]) declares that "every goldsmith is put to shame by his molten image, for his molten image is a delusion." [[Hosea 13:2]] describes the people's sin of making "molten images according to their own understanding." Finally, [[Nahum 1:14]] prophesies that God will cut off the "molten image" from the house of a god. In these contexts, neçek emphasizes the human manufacture and inherent worthlessness of false deities.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for `{{H5262}}` is its root verb, `{{H5258}}` (נָסַךְ, *nasak*), which underpins both the "pouring out" and "casting" meanings.
When referring to a drink offering, `{{H5262}}` is frequently found alongside other categories of offerings that constituted the Israelite sacrificial system, such as:
* `{{H5930}}` (עֹלָה, *olah*): burnt offering
* `{{H4503}}` (מִנְחָה, *minchah*): grain offering
* `{{H8002}}` (שֶׁלֶם, *shelem*): peace offering
* `{{H5081}}` (נֶדֶר, *neder*): vow offering
These terms collectively describe the acts of worship and communion with Yahweh.
When referring to a molten image, `{{H5262}}` is often used in parallel with or synonymously with other terms for idols, highlighting their artificiality and emptiness:
* `{{H4541}}` (מַסֵּכָה, *massekhah*): This term, also derived from `{{H5258}}`, specifically means "molten image" and is a very close semantic parallel to `{{H5262}}` in its idolatrous sense (e.g., [[Exodus 32:4]], [[Deuteronomy 27:15]]).
* `{{H6459}}` (פֶּסֶל, *pesel*): carved image, often used generally for idols.
* `{{H430}}` (אֱלִיל, *elil*): a term for a "worthless" or "no-god" idol.
* `{{H1544}}` (גִּלּוּלִים, *gillulim*): a contemptuous term for idols, often translated as "dung-gods."
The semantic field surrounding `{{H5262}}` thus encompasses the entire spectrum of worship, from the most sacred and divinely commanded acts of devotion to the most abhorrent and humanly devised forms of idolatry.
### Theological Significance
The dual nature of `{{H5262}}` encapsulates a profound theological tension central to the Old Testament: the stark contrast between authentic worship of Yahweh and the pervasive temptation of idolatry.
As a **drink offering**, neçek signifies an act of complete consecration and dependence upon God. It was a sensory, tangible expression of devotion, an outpouring of precious liquid symbolizing the worshiper's life and resources offered back to the divine Giver. The meticulous regulations surrounding drink offerings in the Law underscore God's desire for ordered, intentional, and holistic worship from His people. It represented covenant fidelity and a recognition of Yahweh's sovereignty over all aspects of life, including sustenance.
Conversely, as a **molten image**, neçek represents the antithesis of true worship. It embodies human attempts to create and control the divine, to fashion a god in man's own image or according to his own understanding. This form of neçek signifies spiritual adultery, a rejection of the transcendent, invisible God in favor of a tangible, manipulable substitute. The prophets' repeated condemnation of "molten images" highlights their inherent futility, their inability to hear, see, or save. They are depicted as products of human delusion and craftsmanship, utterly devoid of divine power or presence ([[Jeremiah 10:14]]). This aspect of neçek underscores the exclusive nature of Yahweh's claim on His people's worship and the severe consequences of diverting that worship to fabricated deities.
Thus, `{{H5262}}` serves as a powerful theological marker, distinguishing between life-giving communion with the Creator through prescribed acts of worship and the death-dealing deception of idolatry, which results in shame and emptiness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H5262}}` (נֶסֶךְ, *neçek*) is a term with a significant dual meaning, rooted in the verb "to pour out" or "to cast (metal)." It refers both to a **drink offering**—a sacred libation poured out in worship of God—and to a **molten image** or **cast idol**—a man-made deity formed by pouring metal.
In its positive sense, neçek as a drink offering was an integral part of Israelite sacrificial worship, symbolizing devotion, consecration, and covenant faithfulness to Yahweh. In its negative sense, neçek as a molten image represents the profound sin of idolatry, a human fabrication that stands in direct opposition to the true God. The biblical context always clarifies which meaning is intended, presenting a stark choice between authentic worship and the futility of false gods. This duality makes `{{H5262}}` a potent word, encapsulating the central theological struggle between pure devotion to Yahweh and the seductive path of spiritual apostasy throughout the Old Testament narrative.
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