or נֵשֶׁק; from נָשַׁק; military equipment, i.e. (collectively) arms (offensive or defensive), or (concretely) an arsenal; armed men, armour(-y), battle, harness, weapon.
Transliteration:nesheq
Pronunciation:neh'-shek
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun נֶשֶׁק (nesheq, `{{H5402}}`) is derived from the verbal root נָשַׁק (nāshaq), which, while primarily meaning "to kiss" or "to touch," also carries a specialized Hiphil sense of "to arm oneself" or "to equip." Thus, נֶשֶׁק fundamentally denotes "military equipment." Its semantic range is broad, encompassing both collective and concrete aspects of warfare. It can refer to "arms" in a general sense, including both offensive and defensive implements. More specifically, it can denote "weapons" individually, "armour," or even the "harness" or accoutrements associated with military service, particularly for chariots or horses. Furthermore, by extension, it can refer to a "place for arms," an "arsenal" or "armoury," and even, by metonymy, "armed men" themselves, representing the personnel equipped for battle.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term נֶשֶׁק (nesheq, `{{H5402}}`) appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, predominantly in historical and prophetic books, underscoring its direct association with military affairs.
In the historical narratives, *nesheq* often refers to the acquisition or storage of military gear. For instance, in [[1 Kings 10:25]] and [[2 Chronicles 9:24]], it is listed among the annual tribute brought to King Solomon, highlighting the importance of military provisions in maintaining royal power and defense.
The term also designates a specific location for storing weapons, as seen in [[Nehemiah 3:19]], which mentions the "house of the armoury" (בֵּית הַנֶּשֶׁק), indicating a dedicated arsenal for the city's defense. This concrete usage emphasizes the practical need for organized military readiness.
In prophetic literature, *nesheq* frequently appears in descriptions of armies and their preparations for war. In [[Jeremiah 46:9]], the prophet vividly portrays the Egyptian army, with its soldiers "equipped with *nesheq*," emphasizing their readiness for battle. Similarly, [[Ezekiel 23:24]] depicts invading armies arriving with "chariots and wheels and a company of peoples, equipped with *nesheq*," illustrating the overwhelming force of a well-armed military. A particularly striking usage is found in [[Ezekiel 39:9-10]], where the *nesheq* of Gog's defeated army—including shields, bucklers, bows, arrows, handstaves, and spears—is gathered and burned for fuel, symbolizing the utter destruction and disarmament of a formidable foe. These passages consistently ground *nesheq* in the tangible reality of military equipment and the power it represents.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of נֶשֶׁק (nesheq, `{{H5402}}`) is closely related to other Hebrew terms for weaponry and military concepts. The root verb נָשַׁק (nāshaq, `{{H5401}}`) itself, though mostly used for "kissing," in its Hiphil form, implies the act of "arming" or "equipping oneself." Other specific weapons include חֶרֶב (cherev, `{{H2719}}`, "sword"), קֶשֶׁת (qeshet, `{{H7198}}`, "bow"), רֹמַח (romach, `{{H7420}}`, "spear"), and שֶׁלֶט (shelet, `{{H7982}}`, "shield"). The more general term כְּלִי (keli, `{{H3627}}`), meaning "vessel" or "article," can also encompass weapons or implements of war.
Conceptually, *nesheq* is intrinsically linked to notions of warfare, military readiness, national defense, and offensive capabilities. It speaks to the material manifestations of a nation's strength and its capacity for conflict, whether for protection or aggression.
### Theological Significance
While נֶשֶׁק (nesheq, `{{H5402}}`) is a descriptive term for military hardware, its theological significance arises from the broader biblical understanding of power, sovereignty, and human reliance. The presence and effectiveness of *nesheq* are often presented within the context of divine control over human affairs.
Biblical texts frequently highlight the futility of human reliance on *nesheq* apart from God's favor or intervention. [[Psalm 33:16-17]] declares, "The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue." This underscores that true security and victory do not ultimately reside in military equipment or might, but in the Lord.
Prophetic pronouncements often use the destruction or capture of *nesheq* as a powerful symbol of divine judgment against nations that trust in their own strength rather than in God. The burning of Gog's *nesheq* in [[Ezekiel 39:9-10]] is a vivid illustration of God's decisive victory and the complete disarmament of His enemies, demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty over all earthly powers and their armaments.
Conversely, when God's people are called to battle, the effectiveness of their *nesheq* is often tied to their obedience and God's presence with them. While the Old Testament primarily deals with physical warfare, the concept of being divinely "equipped" for battle serves as a conceptual precursor to the New Testament's emphasis on spiritual armor, where believers are called to put on the "full armor of God" (e.g., [[Ephesians 6:11-17]]), albeit using Greek terminology. Thus, *nesheq* in the Old Testament provides a concrete understanding of the tools of conflict, serving as a backdrop against which the theological truths of divine power, human weakness, and ultimate reliance on God are powerfully articulated.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נֶשֶׁק (nesheq, `{{H5402}}`) precisely denotes "military equipment," encompassing a wide range of arms, armour, and implements of war, as well as an "arsenal" or "armoury" where such equipment is stored. Its occurrences in the biblical text consistently portray the tangible reality of ancient warfare, depicting the might of armies and the practicalities of military readiness. Theologically, *nesheq* serves as a poignant reminder that while human nations may trust in their physical armaments, true security and ultimate victory belong to God. The fate of *nesheq* in various biblical narratives often illustrates divine sovereignty, highlighting the futility of human power when it stands in opposition to the Lord, and underscoring that reliance on God, not on military might, is the ultimate source of deliverance and peace.
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