Word Study for H5264 (נָסַס) | Strong's Concordance

nâçaç /naw-sas'/ Ask about this word

Roota primitive root

Meaningto gleam from afar, i.e. to be conspicuous as a signal; or rather perhaps a denominative from נֵס (and identical with נָסַס, through the idea of a flag as fluttering in the wind); to raise a beacon

KJV usagelift up as an ensign.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nâçaç — 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 nâçaç, represented by H5264, is a primitive root meaning to gleam from afar or be conspicuous as a signal. Its definition also suggests the action of raising a beacon or lifting up an ensign, like a flag fluttering in the wind. It appears 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible, making its single usage particularly significant.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H5264 is in Zechariah 9:16, where it describes the glorious destiny of God's people. In a prophecy of future deliverance, the text states they will be like "the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land." In this context, the word portrays God's saved people being made visible and prominent. They are not only rescued but are elevated to become a shining beacon that testifies to the salvation of the LORD their God.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its context in Zechariah 9:16 help clarify its meaning:

H3467 yâshaʻ (to free or succor): The act of being "lifted up as an ensign" is the direct result of God's decision to save His people, highlighting that their prominence is a display of His redemptive power Zechariah 9:16.
H5145 nezer (consecration, crown): The people are compared to stones of a crown, a term for something set apart. This links their elevated status directly to their value and consecration to God Zechariah 9:16.
H5971 ʻam (a people): This specifies that it is God's people, as a collective group, who are made into a conspicuous signal, emphasizing their corporate identity and relationship with Him Zechariah 9:16.
H6629 tsôʼn (a flock): The people are described as the flock of God. This pastoral imagery, combined with being lifted as an ensign, shows that God both tenderly cares for and victoriously displays His people Zechariah 9:16.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5264 is concentrated in its single, powerful use.

Divine Vindication: The word illustrates that God's salvation is not a secret event. By lifting His people "as an ensign," He publicly vindicates them and displays His faithfulness for all to see upon His land H127.
The Exalted Status of the Redeemed: The imagery of being stones H68 of a crown H5145 that are "lifted up" H5264 reveals the immense value God places on His people. They are His treasures, elevated to a position of honor.
A Living Testimony: The people themselves become the signal. Their deliverance "in that day" H3117 makes them a living beacon, testifying to the power and saving grace of the LORD H3068 their God H430 Zechariah 9:16.

Summary

In summary, though appearing only once, H5264 provides a rich and vivid theological concept. It moves beyond a simple action to signify a divine declaration. In its biblical context, nâçaç powerfully illustrates that when God saves His people, He not only delivers them but also elevates them to be a glorious and conspicuous sign of His victory and their preciousness to Him.

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 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

הִתְנוֹסֵס
מִתְנוֹסְסוֹת

Related Words

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

1 verse, all in Zechariah — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.