English · KJV
H5181

נָחַת

nâchath /naw-khath'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto sink, i.e. descend; causatively, to press or lead down
KJV usagebe broken, (cause to) come down, enter, go down, press sore, settle, stick fast.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nâchath — 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 nâchath, represented by H5181, is a primitive root with meanings centered on downward motion. It is defined as to sink or descend, and causatively, to press or lead down. It appears 9 times across 8 unique verses, conveying actions like being broken, coming down, entering, going down, pressing sore, settling, or sticking fast.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H5181 is used in a variety of contexts to describe a downward force or movement. In a military or judgmental sense, it depicts God's mighty ones being caused to come down for battle Joel 3:11 or the breaking of a bow of steel by human arms empowered by God (Psalms 18:34, 2 Samuel 22:35). The word also illustrates personal affliction, as when God's arrows stick fast in someone and His hand presseth them sore Psalms 38:2. On the other hand, it can describe a psychological impact, where a reproof entereth a wise person's heart Proverbs 17:10, or the final descent as people go down to the grave Job 21:13. In a gentler sense, it is used for God's creative care, where He settlest the furrows of the earth with rain Psalms 65:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the actions and agents associated with H5181:

  • H2671 chêts (arrow): As the object that pierces or sinks in, this word is directly linked to H5181 in the context of divine affliction. The psalmist cries out that God's arrows stick fast in him Psalms 38:2.
  • H2220 zᵉrôwaʻ (arm): Representing force and power, the arm is the agent that causes something to be broken. It is by God's strength that the psalmist's arms can break a bow of steel 2 Samuel 22:35.
  • H7585 shᵉʼôwl (grave): This is the destination for the descent described by H5181. The wicked go down to the grave in a moment, ending their days of wealth Job 21:13.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5181 is seen in its diverse applications of divine power and influence.

  • Divine Power and Judgment: The word signifies God's sovereign ability to bring down the proud and execute judgment. He can cause His mighty ones to come down Joel 3:11 and empower His servants to break symbols of military strength Psalms 18:34.
  • Penetrating Affliction and Wisdom: H5181 describes the deep impact of both hardship and truth. God's disciplinary hand can press sore Psalms 38:2, while a reproof can enter deeply into a wise man, showing that God's word can penetrate more effectively than physical punishment Proverbs 17:10.
  • Creative and Blessing Action: Not exclusively negative, the word is used to describe God's tender care for creation, where He settlest the furrows of the earth to prepare it for growth, blessing its springing with showers Psalms 65:10.

Summary

In summary, H5181 is a dynamic verb that captures the essence of downward movement and pressure. Its meaning shifts with its context, from the violent force that breaks a bow of steel to the gentle settling of watered earth. It can describe a physical descent into the grave, the piercing of an arrow, or the profound entry of wisdom into the heart. Through its various uses, nâchath illustrates a consistent theme of a superior force causing something to descend, sink, or be pressed down, whether for judgment, discipline, or blessing.

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 11 occurrences, inflected in 10 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.

  • יֵחָתּוּ
  • הַנְחַת
  • נִחֲתוּ
  • נִחֲתָה
  • נִחַת
  • נַחֵת
  • תִּנְחַת
  • נָחַת
  • תֵּחַת
  • יֵחַת

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.

H2671 חֵץ from חָצַץ; also by interchange for עֵץ; properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of H2220 זְרוֹעַ or (shortened) זְרֹעַ; and (feminine) זְרוֹעָה; or זְרֹעָה; from זָרַע; the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the H7585 שְׁאוֹל or שְׁאֹל; from שָׁאַל; Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inm

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 8 verses across 6 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms (3 verses); never once in the other 33.

1
2 Samuel
1
Job
3
Psalms
1
Proverbs
1
Jeremiah
1
Joel

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.