Word Study for H5373 (נֵרְדְּ)

nêrd /nayrd/ Ask about this word

Rootof foreign origin

Meaningnard, an aromatic

KJV usagespikenard.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nêrd — 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 nêrd, represented by H5373, is a term of foreign origin for nard, an aromatic; spikenard. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, exclusively within the Song of Solomon. This rare and valuable substance is consistently portrayed as a source of powerful and pleasing fragrance.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

All biblical uses of H5373 place it in a context of love, royalty, and immense value. In the presence of the king, the scent of spikenard is sent forth, signifying an intimate and luxurious atmosphere Song of Solomon 1:12. It is also described as a key plant in a magnificent orchard of pomegranates and other pleasant fruits, highlighting its desirability Song of Solomon 4:13. Finally, it is listed among the "chief spices," alongside saffron, calamus, cinnamon, myrrh, and frankincense, cementing its status as a premier aromatic Song of Solomon 4:14.

Related Words & Concepts

Several other valuable plants and spices are mentioned in direct connection with spikenard, creating a rich sensory landscape:

H3724 kôpher (camphire): This term refers to the henna plant and is listed with spikenard in a description of a beautiful orchard with pleasant fruits Song of Solomon 4:13.
H4753 môr (myrrh): A well-known fragrant resin, myrrh is included in the same list as spikenard among the chief spices, often associated with perfumery and sacred rites Song of Solomon 4:14.
H7076 qinnâmôwn (cinnamon): This fragrant bark is mentioned in the same breath as spikenard, highlighting a collection of highly-prized aromatic goods Song of Solomon 4:14.
H1314 besem (spice, sweet odour): This word for fragrance and spicery is used to classify the group that includes spikenard, identifying it as one of "the chief spices" Song of Solomon 4:14.

Theological Significance

The significance of H5373 is drawn entirely from its symbolic associations within the Song of Solomon.

Expression of Love: The release of the scent of spikenard in the presence of the king is an expression of deep affection and desire, drawn out by the presence of the beloved Song of Solomon 1:12.
Symbol of Exquisite Value: By being placed in an orchard of pleasant fruits and listed with other luxurious aromatics like saffron, myrrh, and frankincense, spikenard represents something precious, rare, and of the highest quality Song of Solomon 4:13-14.
Component of Ideal Beauty: Its presence in the metaphorical garden, which represents the beloved, contributes to an image of perfection, fruitfulness, and sensory delight Song of Solomon 4:13.

Summary

In summary, H5373 nêrd is a specific and valuable aromatic whose significance is tied to its exclusive use in the poetry of the Song of Solomon. While appearing only three times, it consistently functions as a symbol of luxury, preciousness, and the fragrant expression of intimate love. Its association with other chief spices and its place in the idealized garden emphasize its role as an element of supreme value and beauty.

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 noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 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.

נְרָדִים
נֵרְדְּ
נִרְדִּ

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

3 verses, all in Song of Solomon — 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.