from נָצַץ; a flower (from its brilliancy); also a hawk (from it flashing speed); blossom, hawk.
Transliteration:nêts
Pronunciation:nayts
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma `{{H5322}}` (nêts) presents a fascinating semantic duality, denoting both a "flower" or "blossom" and a "hawk." This seemingly disparate range of meanings is rooted in the underlying verbal root `{{H5335}}` (natsats), which conveys the idea of "to glitter," "to flash," or "to sparkle." In the context of a "flower" or "blossom," `{{H5322}}` captures the brilliant, vibrant appearance of a bloom, its visual splendor "flashing" forth. Conversely, when referring to a "hawk," the emphasis shifts to the bird's characteristic swift, "flashing" speed in flight, its rapid and sudden movements. Thus, both senses are unified by an etymological connection to visual brilliance or rapid, sudden motion, reflecting the keen observational nuance embedded within the Hebrew language.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H5322}}` appears in the Hebrew Bible in both its primary senses:
* **As "blossom" or "flower":**
* [[Isaiah 18:5]]: "For before the harvest, when the blossom is over and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the shoots with pruning hooks, and the spreading branches he will remove and lop off." Here, the "blossom" (nêts) signifies an early stage of development, specifically of a grape. The cutting off of the blossom before it matures into a ripe grape serves as a vivid metaphor for divine judgment, where plans or nations are thwarted and destroyed before they can come to fruition, emphasizing the swift and decisive nature of God's intervention.
* **As "hawk":**
* [[Leviticus 11:16]]: The hawk is listed among the birds considered "unclean" and therefore forbidden for consumption by the Israelites. This inclusion is part of the extensive dietary laws (kashrut) designed to distinguish Israel from surrounding nations and to cultivate a sense of holiness and purity.
* [[Deuteronomy 14:15]]: This passage reiterates the prohibition against eating the hawk, reinforcing its status as an unclean creature within the covenant community's regulations. The repetition underscores the importance of these distinctions for Israel's identity and worship.
* [[Job 39:26]]: "Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south?" In this majestic passage, God challenges Job, highlighting His own sovereign wisdom and control over all creation. The hawk's migratory instincts and ability to soar are presented as evidence of divine design, operating by an innate knowledge imparted by the Creator, far beyond human comprehension or control.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of `{{H5322}}` is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **Root `{{H5335}}` (natsats):** As noted, this verbal root is foundational to understanding `{{H5322}}`, linking the disparate meanings of "flower" and "hawk" through the shared concept of "flashing," "glittering," or "darting."
* **Other Flora Terms:** `{{H5322}}` as "blossom" can be compared with other terms for flowers or plants, such as `{{H6525}}` (perach, "flower") or `{{H6779}}` (tsits, "flower, bloom"), which often carry connotations of beauty, transience, or growth.
* **Unclean Animals:** In its "hawk" sense, `{{H5322}}` is part of a larger category of "unclean" animals, particularly birds of prey, alongside terms like `{{H5861}}` ('ayit, "bird of prey") or `{{H5861}}` (dayyah, "kite"). These classifications were central to the Israelite understanding of holiness (`{{H6944}}`, qodesh) and purity (`{{H2893}}`, tahor) versus impurity (`{{H2931}}`, tame').
* **Divine Wisdom and Sovereignty:** The usage in Job connects `{{H5322}}` to profound theological concepts of God's `{{H2451}}` (chokmah, "wisdom") and `{{H4910}}` (mashal, "dominion" or "rule") over creation, particularly the intricate workings of the natural world and the instincts of its creatures.
### Theological Significance
The dual nature of `{{H5322}}` offers several layers of theological significance:
* **God's Comprehensive Sovereignty:** The hawk's instinctive migration in Job 39 powerfully illustrates God's meticulous design and sovereign control over all creation, from the smallest creature to the grandest natural phenomenon. It underscores that even the seemingly wild and untamed aspects of nature operate according to divine decree and wisdom, beyond human comprehension.
* **Holiness and Distinction:** The inclusion of the hawk among unclean animals in the Torah's dietary laws highlights God's call for His people to be holy and set apart. These laws were not arbitrary but served as pedagogical tools to instill a sense of distinct identity, reminding Israel of their unique covenant relationship with a holy God and their separation from the practices of surrounding pagan nations.
* **Divine Judgment and Timing:** The "blossom" in Isaiah 18 serves as a potent metaphor for God's precise and decisive judgment. It conveys the idea that God can cut short human plans or national ambitions at any stage, even before they reach their intended maturity, emphasizing His absolute authority over history and human endeavors. This speaks to the swiftness and inevitability of divine justice.
* **The Paradoxical Beauty of Creation:** The very existence of a single word encompassing both a delicate, beautiful blossom and a swift, predatory bird subtly reflects the diverse, sometimes contrasting, yet harmonious nature of God's creation—all parts designed and sustained by His hand.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H5322}}` (nêts) is a remarkable example of semantic breadth, simultaneously denoting a "flower" or "blossom" and a "hawk." This duality is rooted in the shared concept of "flashing" or "brilliancy" derived from its etymological origin. In its appearances, `{{H5322}}` as "blossom" in [[Isaiah 18:5]] metaphorically portrays swift divine judgment, cutting off plans before fruition. As "hawk" in [[Leviticus 11:16]] and [[Deuteronomy 14:15]], it signifies an unclean animal, underscoring Israel's call to holiness and distinction. Most profoundly, in [[Job 39:26]], the hawk exemplifies God's incomprehensible wisdom and sovereign control over all creation. Thus, `{{H5322}}` reveals facets of God's character—His meticulous design, His call to holiness, and His absolute authority over nature and history.
TRV