נָעַר

nâʻar /naw-ar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root (probably identical with נָעַר, through the idea of the rustling of mane, which usually accompanies the lion's roar)
Meaningto tumble about
KJV usageshake (off, out, self), overthrow, toss up and down.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word nâʻar, represented by H5287, is a primitive root defined as to tumble about, shake (off, out, self), overthrow, or toss up and down. It appears 11 times across 9 unique verses in the Bible. The word conveys a sense of forceful and often sudden motion, whether enacted by an individual, God, or the natural world itself.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H5287 is used to describe a range of violent actions. It depicts divine judgment, as when the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea Exodus 14:27 and overthrew Pharaoh and his host Psalms 136:15. This same power is invoked by Nehemiah, who shook his lap and declared that God would similarly shake out any man who did not keep his promise Nehemiah 5:13. On a personal level, Samson attempts to shake himself free after his hair is cut Judges 16:20, and Jerusalem is commanded to Shake thyself from the dust Isaiah 52:2 in an act of renewal. The word can also describe a state of turmoil, as when the psalmist feels tossed up and down like a locust Psalms 109:23.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illustrate the contexts in which H5287 is found:

  • H7563 râshâʻ (wicked): This term identifies the target of divine shaking. It is the wicked who are to be shaken out of the earth as an act of judgment Job 38:13.
  • H5127 nûwç (to flit, flee): This describes the reaction to God's power. The Egyptians fled against the returning sea just as the LORD overthrew them Exodus 14:27.
  • H5186 nâṭâh (to stretch or spread out; to bend away, decline): This word is used in parallel with H5287 to create a vivid image of helplessness, describing a person who is gone like a shadow when it declineth and is tossed up and down Psalms 109:23.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5287 is tied to its depiction of divine power and the call for human response.

  • Divine Judgment: The word is frequently used to describe God's direct, forceful intervention against His enemies and against wickedness. This is seen in the overthrow of Pharaoh's army Exodus 14:27 and the eschatological shaking of the wicked from the earth Job 38:13.
  • Symbolic Action: The physical act of shaking carries symbolic weight. A righteous man shaketh his hands from bribes to show his rejection of corruption Isaiah 33:15, while Nehemiah shook his lap to represent a curse of being emptied and cast out Nehemiah 5:13.
  • Call to Renewal: The command for Zion to Shake thyself from the dust is a call to rise from a state of captivity and degradation and to be renewed Isaiah 52:2.

Summary

In summary, H5287 is a dynamic verb that signifies much more than a simple tremor. It portrays decisive and powerful action, whether it is God overthrowing an army, an individual rejecting evil, or the land itself reacting to judgment. The word illustrates a fundamental biblical theme: the forceful removal of corruption, oppression, and impurity to establish righteousness and deliverance.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Hithpael Imperative 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Niphal Conjunction+Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Niphal Conjunction+Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Participle Passive Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 9 verses across 6 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (3 verses).

1
Exodus
1
Judges
1
Nehemiah
1
Job
2
Psalms
3
Isaiah

Verse Explorer

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