English · KJV
H5405

נָשַׁת

nâshath /naw-shath'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningproperly, to eliminate, i.e. (intransitively) to dry up
KJV usagefail.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nâshath — 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 nâshath, represented by H5405, is a primitive root meaning to fail or dry up. It appears just 3 times in 3 unique verses, often depicting a state of elimination or cessation, whether of resources, strength, or life.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H5405 describes a critical cessation or failure. It is used to illustrate the consequences of judgment or severe hardship. In Isaiah, it depicts the physical drying up of waters from the sea Isaiah 19:5 and the failure of the human tongue from extreme thirst when the poor and needy seek water Isaiah 41:17. In Jeremiah, the word conveys a loss of morale and power, where the might of Babylon's warriors failed, causing them to become as women Jeremiah 51:30.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concepts of failure, desolation, and weakness:

  • H3001 yâbêsh (to dry up): This word is used in parallel with H5405 to describe the drying up of a river, emphasizing the complete desiccation of a water source Isaiah 19:5.
  • H2717 chârab (to parch... desolate, destroy): Also appearing alongside H5405, this term signifies desolation through drought and is used to describe how a river shall be wasted Isaiah 19:5.
  • H1369 gᵉbûwrâh (might, power, strength): This word represents the force and valor that can be subject to failure. In Jeremiah, it is the "might" of the mighty men of Babylon that failed H5405, leading to their defeat Jeremiah 51:30.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5405 is significant, highlighting themes of judgment and dependence.

  • Consequence of Judgment: The failure described by H5405 can be a direct result of divine judgment. In Jeremiah, the loss of Babylon's might is a fulfillment of prophecy against the nation's mighty men Jeremiah 51:30.
  • Human Helplessness: The word underscores ultimate human vulnerability. The tongue that faileth for thirst illustrates a point of desperation where only divine intervention can save, as God promises to hear the poor and needy and not forsake them Isaiah 41:17.
  • Elimination of Earthly Resources: H5405 is used to show that natural resources are not absolute. It describes the catastrophic event of waters failing from the sea and a river being wasted and dried up Isaiah 19:5.

Summary

In summary, H5405 nâshath encapsulates a state of complete failure and elimination. Though used sparingly, it powerfully conveys the drying up of essential resources like water, the collapse of human strength in the face of divine will, and the desperate state of those in need. It serves as a stark reminder of both divine judgment and the absolute dependence of creation upon God for sustenance and strength.

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 verb across 4 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.

  • נָשָׁתָּה
  • נִשְּׁתוּ
  • יָבֵשׁ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3001 יָבֵשׁ a primitive root; to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage) H2717 חָרַב or חֲרֵב; a primitive root; to parch (through drought) i.e. (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill; decay, (be) desola H1369 גְּבוּרָה feminine passive participle from the same as גִּבּוֹר; force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

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

Appears in 3 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (2 verses); never once in the other 37.

2
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah

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.