Lexical Summary nun: To propagate, increase, continue Original Word: נוּן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be continued A primitive root; to resprout, i.e. Propagate by shoots; figuratively, to be perpetual -- be continued. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to propagate, increase NASB Translation increase (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [נוּן, נִין] verb propagate, increase (si vera lectio) ( > denominative from נין Hup-Now SS; — Late Hebrew נוּן = fish, so Aramaic נוּנָא,  , Assyrian nunu; — Qal or Hiph`il ?) Imperfect ינין Kt; > Niph`al ינּוֺן Qr Psalm 72:17 let his name have increase (or, if Niph`al, be propagated, spread); but dubious, Vrss perhaps יִכּוֺן be established, endure. Topical Lexicon Entry: נוּן (Strong’s Hebrew 5125) Biblical Setting The single canonical appearance of נוּן stands in Psalm 72:17, a royal prayer traditionally attributed to Solomon but ultimately pointing beyond his reign. The verse petitions, “May his name endure forever; may his name flourish as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed” (Psalm 72:17). Here נוּן forms the heart of the plea that the king’s name would “flourish,” portraying an unbroken, life-giving continuity that extends through every generation. Imagery of Perpetual Life and Growth The root evokes the picture of fresh shoots pushing out of a stock—an ever-renewed vitality. Within Israelite agrarian culture, such imagery captured hope for progeny, reputation, and covenant legacy. By employing this verb in a prayer for the king’s name, the psalmist frames royal reputation not as a static monument but as a living organism that keeps sprouting. The idea parallels other plant metaphors in Scripture (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 33:15) yet uniquely stresses ongoing propagation rather than mere origin. Covenantal Echoes Psalm 72:17 deliberately alludes to Genesis 12:3, where Abraham is promised global blessing: “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Linking the king’s flourishing name with worldwide blessing binds monarchy to the patriarchal covenant. The verb נוּן thereby serves as a hinge between two foundational strands of redemptive history—royal vocation and universal mission. Messianic Trajectory Early Jewish readings took the verse as a model for ideal kingship; apostolic preaching recognized its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the greater Son of David. His resurrection guarantees an indestructible name (Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 19:16). The sprouting motif anticipates the Gospel’s advance among “all nations,” assuring that Christ’s renown will never wither, even “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Historical and Liturgical Reception • In ancient Israel the psalm likely functioned in coronation rites, reinforcing the theology that royal authority derived from divine promise. Ministry Implications 1. Prayer for Leaders: The verse models intercession that asks God to grant rulers a legacy marked by blessing to the nations rather than self-aggrandizement. Theological Synthesis Though נוּן appears only once, it anchors a cluster of biblical convictions: God preserves His chosen King’s reputation, extends covenant blessing globally, and causes life to spring where death once reigned. In Psalm 72 that conviction is voiced as a prayer; in the Gospel it becomes realized promise. The single seed of נוּן thus germinates into the sweeping assurance that “of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7). Forms and Transliterations יִנֹּ֪ון ינון yin·nō·wn yinNon yinnōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 72:17 HEB: [יָנִין כ] (יִנֹּ֪ון ק) שְׁ֫מ֥וֹ NAS: May his name increase as long KJV: his name shall be continued as long as INT: long as the sun be continued may his name and let bless 1 Occurrence |
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