Lexical Summary naar: To shake, shake out, shake off Original Word: נָאַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance abhor, make void A primitive root; to reject -- abhor, make void. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition probably to abhor, spurn NASB Translation abandoned (1), spurned (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [נָאַר] verb only Pi`el exact meaning uncertain; probably (from context) abhor, spurn (De compare Arabic Pi`el Perfect subject ׳י, נִאֵר Lamentations 2:7 (object מִקְדָּשׁוֺ; "" זָנַת); 2 masculine singular נֵאַרְתָּה Psalm 89:40 (object בְּרית עַבְדְּךָ; "" חִלֵּל, and זָנַח, מָאַס Psalm 89:39; doubts cast on text by Hup (reading נאץ), Now, BuLamentations 2:7). Topical Lexicon Root Meaning and Semantic Range נָאַר (nāʾar) carries the idea of violently shaking off, repudiating, or spurning. It depicts an intentional and public rejection, not a momentary displeasure. The verb’s intensity communicates decisive separation from the object spurned, whether a covenant, an altar, or a crown. Canonical Occurrences Psalm 89:39; Lamentations 2:7. Contextual Analysis Psalm 89 is a communal lament centering on the apparent collapse of the Davidic promises. Verse 39 cries, “You have renounced the covenant with Your servant; You have thrown his crown in the dust” (Psalm 89:39). The verb portrays God’s deliberate repudiation of royal legitimacy in response to covenant infidelity. Lamentations 2:7 records Jerusalem’s devastation: “The LORD has rejected His altar, abandoned His sanctuary; He has delivered the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy”. Here nāʾar pictures the Lord casting off His own sanctuary, underscoring the depth of Judah’s sin and its covenantal consequences. Theological and Doctrinal Implications 1. Covenant Faithfulness: The verb highlights that divine loyalty never contradicts divine holiness. God does not annul His covenants but may temporarily “shake off” covenant privileges when participants violate stipulations. Leadership and Covenant Perspectives The Davidic crown “thrown in the dust” emphasizes that no leader is indispensable; stewardship is conditional on faithfulness. Spiritual leaders today are reminded that office and gifting can be shaken off if divorced from obedience (Matthew 7:21-23). Worship and Liturgical Impact Temple worship was central to Israel’s identity, yet God “abandoned His sanctuary.” Modern worship must guard against presuming divine presence while tolerating sin (Isaiah 1:11-17). Genuine worship requires contrition and covenant loyalty (Psalm 51:17). Personal and Pastoral Application Believers should examine whether any area of life is being “shaken off” by God’s discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11). Repentance restores fellowship that spurning disrupts (1 John 1:9). Christological and Eschatological Echoes The apparent renunciation of the Davidic covenant intensifies longing for an unfailing King. In Jesus Christ, the Davidic promises are secured forever (Luke 1:32-33). Though the altar was rejected, His once-for-all sacrifice inaugurates a greater sanctuary (Hebrews 9:11-12). Final eschatological hope rests on a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28), reversing the temporary “shaking off” reflected by nāʾar. Forms and Transliterations נִאֵ֣ר נֵ֭אַרְתָּה נאר נארתה nê’artāh nê·’ar·tāh Neartah ni’êr ni·’êr niErLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 89:39 HEB: נֵ֭אַרְתָּה בְּרִ֣ית עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ NAS: You have spurned the covenant KJV: Thou hast made void the covenant INT: have spurned the covenant of your servant Lamentations 2:7 2 Occurrences |
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