Hebrew word · H5264

נָסַס

lehitnoses

to shine

A rare verb form. Most lexicons take it from נסס, a root that probably comes from nēs itself: 'to be raised up like a banner, to rally round a banner, to sparkle or stand out conspicuously' (compare Zech 9:16, jewels 'raised up / sparkling' on his land).

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) to be lifted up (meaning uncertain)

1a) (Hithpoel) to be lifted up, be displayed

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Psalm 60:4

Range of meaning

A rare verb form. Most lexicons take it from נסס, a root that probably comes from nēs itself: 'to be raised up like a banner, to rally round a banner, to sparkle or stand out conspicuously' (compare Zech 9:16, jewels 'raised up / sparkling' on his land). Hebrew grammar also allows it as a reflexive form of נוּס (nus, H5127), 'to flee', meaning 'to take flight, flee for refuge'.

Against the English

KJV/WEB 'that it may be displayed' follows the 'banner' derivation. BSB 'that they may flee' follows the 'flee' derivation, as the Septuagint did. Others combine the two: 'rally to it', 'flee to it'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Zech 9:16 is the only other clear use of the נסס form. The Septuagint renders it tou phygein, 'to flee'. HALOT and BDB list it under נסס but discuss the link with nus.

From the study of Zechariah 9:16

Range of meaning

Rare and debated. It may come from nes, "banner, signal-pole": "to be raised like a banner, to be displayed" (compare Ps 60:4 [Heb 60:6], lehitnoses). Or it may be a separate root meaning "to sparkle, glitter." Strong's offers both: "gleam from afar … conspicuous as a signal," or "flutter as a standard."

Against the English

KJV: "lifted up as an ensign" (the banner sense). WEB: "lifted on high." BSB, NASB, NIV and ESV: "sparkle" or "shine" (the glitter sense). YLT: "displaying themselves."

Used elsewhere in the period

The only clear parallel is Ps 60:4, where a banner (nes) is given "to be displayed." The Septuagint here has κυλίονται, "are rolling," which looks like a different reading or a guess.

Where it appears

Psalms · 1

  1. Psalm 60:4 לְהִתְנוֹסֵ֑ס for displaying

    You have raised a banner for those who fear You, that they may flee the bow. Selah

    Here: The ending of the verb echoes nēs, 'banner'. It can be read as 'to rally to the banner / for it to be raised high', or, from the sound-alike root nus, 'to flee'. The double meaning may be deliberate: a banner to run to, as men run away from the arrows.

Zechariah · 1

  1. Zechariah 9:16 מִֽתְנוֹסְס֖וֹת [will] display themselves

    On that day the LORD their God will save them as the flock of His people; for like jewels in a crown they will sparkle over His land.

    Here: A rare verb. It is either related to nes, "banner, signal-pole" (so "lifted high like a banner"), or means "glitter, gleam." Either way the stones stand out where everyone can see them. The form is a participle, describing an ongoing state.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.