Lexical Summary nu: To hinder, to refuse, to forbid Original Word: נוּא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance break, disallow, discourage, make of none effect A primitive root; to refuse, forbid, dissuade, or neutralize -- break, disallow, discourage, make of none effect. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to hinder, restrain, frustrate NASB Translation discouraged* (1), discouraging* (1), forbid (2), forbidden (1), forbids (1), frustrates (1), refuse (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [נוא] verb hinder, restrain, frustrate (Arabic ( )  (or  ) rise with difficulty, rise against one (Frey), III. contend with, Lane2861); — Qal Imperfect2masculine plural תנואון Numbers 32:7 Kt, but read Hiph`il (so Qr), compare Di. Hiph`il Perfect הֵנִיא Numbers 30:6, etc.; Imperfect יָנִיא Numbers 30:9, יָנִי Psalm 141:5, תְּנִיאוּן Numbers 32:7 Qr; — 1 restrain, forbid (performance of vow), followed by accusative of person Numbers 30:6 (twice in verse); Numbers 30:9; Numbers 30:12; frustrate (device of people), subject ׳י, followed by accusative of thing, Psalm 33:10 ("" הֵפִיר); refuse Psalm 141:5 ((text dubious see Che). 2 restrain, make averse the heart (accusative) Numbers 32:7 (followed by מֵעֲבֹר), Numbers 32:9 (followed by לְבִלְתִּיבֿאֹ). Topical Lexicon נוּא (nûʾ)Overview A rare Hebrew verb occurring eight times in the Old Testament, נוּא portrays the idea of being shaken off course—whether that disruption comes from human authority, communal unbelief, or the sovereign hand of God. Its uses form a coherent testimony that the Lord both permits and restrains the wavering of people, vows, and nations to accomplish His steady purpose. Semantic Range and Conceptual Imagery 1. To overturn or nullify a stated intention (Numbers 30). Across this spectrum the core picture is the shaking or displacement of a path that once seemed fixed. Occurrences and Literary Context • Numbers 30:5, 8, 11 – Family heads are empowered to “overrule” vows made by a daughter or wife. נוּא identifies the specific act by which the vow is rendered void, highlighting protective headship within Israel’s household law. Covenantal and Legal Nuances (Numbers 30) In Israel’s vow legislation, נוּא defines the lawful annulment of impulsive or ill-considered promises. The text twice stresses same-day action (“on the day he hears of it”), reminding fathers and husbands that loving oversight must be timely and responsible, not arbitrary. The Lord Himself “will absolve her” (Numbers 30:5), grounding family authority in divine compassion rather than mere patriarchy. Faith and Courage in Possessing the Land (Numbers 32) Reubenite and Gadite hesitation risked replaying the unbelief of Kadesh-barnea. נוּא exposes how private ambition can ripple outward, shaking collective resolve. Moses’ warning reinforces that discouragement is not a neutral emotion but an active hindrance to God’s mission. Divine Sovereignty over Nations (Psalm 33:10) National councils appear formidable, yet the same verb that nullifies a household vow also topples imperial agendas. The psalm sets נוּא within a creation-wide panorama (Psalm 33:6-11), assuring worshipers that global turmoil never outmaneuvers the Maker. Personal Integrity and Instruction (Psalm 141:5) David welcomes the rebuke of the righteous and prays that his head “will not refuse” it. Here נוּא confronts pride at the most intimate level, urging believers to resist the reflex to shake off godly counsel. True security lies not in self-defense but in submissive prayer: “my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.” Theological Reflections 1. Authority under God: Whether patriarchal, communal, or royal, human authority is legitimate only as it aligns with divine righteousness. Ministry and Pastoral Application • Vows and Commitments: Counselors may apply Numbers 30 by urging believers to honor pledges yet allow protective review when commitments were rash or coerced. Intertextual Glimpses toward Christ The Gospels reveal Jesus as the ultimate Authority who both upholds lawful vows (Matthew 5:33-37) and exposes empty traditions (Mark 7:9-13). At the cross the nations rage, yet the Father “frustrates” their counsel, turning apparent defeat into redemptive triumph (Acts 4:25-28, using Psalm 2). Thus נוּא, though rare, foreshadows the Messiah’s power to unsettle human schemes while securing those who trust in Him. Forms and Transliterations הֵ֝נִ֗יא הֵנִ֖יא הֵנִ֥יא הֵנִ֨יא הניא וַיָּנִ֕יאוּ ויניאו יָנִ֣י יָנִ֣יא יני יניא תְנִיא֔וּן תניאון hê·nî heNi hênî ṯə·nî·’ūn ṯənî’ūn teniUn vaiyaNiu way·yā·nî·’ū wayyānî’ū yā·nî yaNi yānîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 30:5 HEB: וְאִם־ הֵנִ֨יא אָבִ֣יהָ אֹתָהּ֮ NAS: her father should forbid her on the day KJV: But if her father disallow her in the day INT: if forbid her father the day Numbers 30:5 Numbers 30:8 Numbers 30:11 Numbers 32:7 Numbers 32:9 Psalm 33:10 Psalm 141:5 8 Occurrences |
    |