נֶ֫סֶךְ

From the study of Psalm 16:4

Range of meaning

nāsak, 'to pour out', especially as a ritual act; nesek, 'drink offering, libation', a liquid (normally wine, sometimes oil or water) poured out before a deity. In Israel's law it accompanied burnt offerings (Num 15:5–10; 28:7).

Against the English

'Drink offering' (KJV, WEB) keeps the idea that it is a drink for the deity; 'libation' (BSB) is the technical term but may be unfamiliar.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used for illicit libations to other gods: to the 'Queen of Heaven' (Jer 7:18; 44:17–19, 25) and in Deut 32:38, where idols 'drank the wine of their drink offerings'. Libations are widely attested across the ancient Near East (Ugaritic, Mesopotamian and Hittite texts) as food and drink for gods.

From the study of Jeremiah 10:14

Range of meaning

Usually a libation, a drink-offering of wine poured out in worship. Rarely, a 'cast image', a figure formed by pouring molten metal. Both come from the verb nasak, 'to pour'.

Against the English

All the major English versions rightly render 'molten image(s)' or 'images' here. A reader using Strong's alone, which glosses the word 'drink offering', could be misled.

Used elsewhere in the period

With the meaning 'cast image': Jer 51:17 (the doublet of this verse), Isa 41:29 ('their cast images are wind (ruach) and emptiness'), and Isa 48:5 ('my carved image and my cast image commanded them'). The usual sense, libation, appears in Num 28–29 and Jer 7:18; 44:17–25.

From the study of Jeremiah 51:17

Range of meaning

From nasak, 'to pour.' (1) A drink offering, wine poured out in worship (very common). (2) A rarer sense, 'a cast image,' metal poured into a mould (Isa 41:29; 48:5; Jer 10:14; 51:17). The related noun massekah, 'cast idol' (Exod 32:4, the golden calf), comes from the same root.

Against the English

Every translation here rightly says 'molten image.' The supplied lexical tag shows the primary gloss 'drink offering,' but that is not the sense in this verse.

Used elsewhere in the period

BDB lists a separate entry, nesek II, 'molten image,' citing these verses. Isa 48:5: 'my carved image and my cast image (nisk-) commanded them.'