a primitive root; to lead astray, i.e. (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce; beguile, deceive, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] utterly.
Transliteration:nâshâʼ
Pronunciation:naw-shaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The primitive Hebrew root נָשָׁא (nâshâʼ, `{{H5377}}`) fundamentally conveys the action of causing someone to go astray or to deviate from a correct path, understanding, or moral standard. Its semantic range extends across several crucial dimensions:
* **Mental Delusion:** At its core, נָשָׁא signifies a mental leading astray, a deluding of the mind. This involves a cognitive manipulation where an individual is led to believe something false, to misunderstand a situation, or to harbor erroneous thoughts. It is a deception that affects one's perception and judgment.
* **Moral Seduction/Enticement:** Beyond mere mental error, נָשָׁא also carries a strong moral connotation, describing the act of seducing or enticing someone into sin, unrighteousness, or moral compromise. This implies a deliberate act of drawing a person away from ethical conduct or divine commands.
* **Intensification:** The base definition indicates idiomatic uses such as "greatly" or "utterly," suggesting that the deception or the act of leading astray can be profound, complete, and deeply impactful, rather than superficial or fleeting.
* **Process vs. Event:** While related to other words for lying or falsehood, נָשָׁא often emphasizes the process of drawing someone away, a subtle enticement, or a gradual misdirection, rather than a direct, outright lie (e.g., `{{H8267}}` for "sheqer" - falsehood). It highlights the effect of being misled.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb נָשָׁא appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, illuminating its nuanced meaning:
* **Warnings Against Deception:** A prominent usage is found in prophetic warnings against those who would mislead the people. In [[Jeremiah 29:8]], the prophet admonishes the exiles not to let their prophets and diviners "deceive" (נָשָׁא) them with false messages, thereby leading them away from God's true word and promise. Similarly, Rabshakeh uses the term in [[2 Kings 18:29]] and [[Isaiah 36:14]] to warn the people of Jerusalem not to let Hezekiah "deceive" them into trusting in human power rather than surrendering to Assyria, implying a political and spiritual delusion.
* **Divine Judgment and Permitted Delusion:** A challenging but significant use occurs in passages like [[Jeremiah 4:10]], where Jeremiah laments that the Lord God has "deceived" (נָשָׁא) the people and Jerusalem. This is typically understood not as God actively lying or being malicious, but rather as God permitting or allowing a delusion to come upon a people who have already hardened their hearts and chosen falsehood, as a form of judicial judgment. [[Ezekiel 14:9]] similarly speaks of God "deceiving" a prophet who seeks a false word, indicating that God gives such individuals over to their own desires for deception.
* **Straying from Covenant:** In [[Psalm 89:32]], the word is used in the context of God's discipline: if His children "deal falsely" (נָשָׁא) with His statutes. Here, it conveys the sense of straying from covenant faithfulness, perhaps through a deceptive heart or a seduction to disobedience, leading to God's disciplinary rod.
* **Lending and Debt (Secondary Usage):** While the primary meaning is deception, a related, though distinct, usage in the Niphal stem (נִשָּׁא) refers to lending on interest or exacting a debt, as seen in [[Nehemiah 5:7]], [[Nehemiah 5:10]]. This semantic connection may derive from the idea of "taking away" or "causing to go out" (money), or perhaps the potential for deceptive practices in financial dealings. However, the core definition provided for this study focuses on the "leading astray" aspect.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of נָשָׁא intersects with several other Hebrew terms related to truth and falsehood:
* **`{{H7411}}` רָמָה (ramah):** To deceive, betray. This often implies a treacherous act or a deliberate trick, sometimes with a focus on a specific act of betrayal.
* **`{{H3584}}` כָּחַשׁ (kachash):** To lie, deny, deceive. This term frequently relates to verbal falsehoods or a denial of truth, often in a more direct sense.
* **`{{H8267}}` שֶׁקֶר (sheqer):** Falsehood, lie, deception. This is a noun referring to the content of a lie or a false statement itself.
* **`{{H6586}}` פָּשַׁע (pasha'):** To transgress, rebel. While not a synonym for deception, the act of being "led astray" (נָשָׁא) often results in transgression against God's commands and rebellion against His authority.
* **`{{H6588}}` פֶּתִי (peti):** Simple, naive, gullible. This adjective often describes the kind of person who is easily "led astray" by those who practice נָשָׁא, highlighting the vulnerability of the undiscerning ([[Proverbs 14:15]]).
* **Spiritual Blindness:** The consequence of being "led astray" by נָשָׁא can be a form of spiritual blindness, where one is unable or unwilling to perceive divine truth, often due to a hardened heart or persistent sin.
### Theological Significance
The concept encapsulated by נָשָׁא (nâshâʼ, `{{H5377}}`) carries profound theological weight, revealing insights into the nature of sin, the character of God, and the human condition.
* **The Insidious Nature of Sin:** נָשָׁא underscores that sin often begins not with overt rebellion, but with a subtle deception or enticement. It highlights how the heart and mind can be gradually drawn away from truth and righteousness. This aligns with the biblical narrative of the fall, where the serpent's "beguiling" (though a different Hebrew word, related in concept) led Eve into transgression ([[Genesis 3:13]]).
* **The Danger of False Prophecy:** The frequent use of נָשָׁא in the prophetic books, particularly Jeremiah, emphasizes the severe spiritual danger posed by false prophets and teachers. These individuals "lead astray" God's people by speaking lies in His name, undermining covenant faithfulness and steering them away from divine truth, often leading to national and individual calamity ([[Jeremiah 23:32]]). This highlights the critical importance of discerning true revelation from human invention.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judicial Hardening:** The challenging instances where God is said to "deceive" (e.g., [[Jeremiah 4:10]], [[Ezekiel 14:9]]) are crucial for understanding God's sovereignty over judgment. These passages are not to be interpreted as God being malicious or untruthful, but rather as God allowing or sending a delusion as a just consequence for those who have already chosen to reject Him and embrace falsehood. It is a judicial act, where God gives people over to the very deceptions they have desired, demonstrating His ultimate control even over the consequences of human sin and rebellion.
* **Call to Discernment and Vigilance:** The pervasive presence of נָשָׁא in Scripture serves as a constant warning and an urgent call to spiritual vigilance. Believers are exhorted to be discerning, to test all things, and to cling steadfastly to the truth of God's Word, lest they be led astray by false teachings, worldly philosophies, or the deceptive inclinations of their own hearts. This word underscores the ongoing spiritual battle against deception.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb נָשָׁא (nâshâʼ, `{{H5377}}`) signifies the act of leading astray, encompassing both mental delusion and moral seduction. It describes the process by which one is drawn away from truth, righteousness, or a correct understanding. In the biblical narrative, it frequently appears in warnings against false prophets who deceive God's people, leading them into spiritual error and away from covenant obedience. While occasionally used in a challenging sense where God "deceives" as a form of judicial judgment upon the rebellious, its primary theological thrust highlights the insidious nature of sin and the constant need for spiritual discernment. The word underscores the danger of being lured from the path of truth and the profound consequences of such deception, emphasizing the believer's call to cling steadfastly to God's revealed Word.
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