Lexical Summary nazid: Stew, pottage Original Word: נָזִיד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pottage From zuwd; something boiled, i.e. Soup -- pottage. see HEBREW zuwd NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom zud Definition something sodden or boiled, pottage NASB Translation cooked food (1), stew (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs נָזִיד noun [masculine] thing sodden or boiled, pottage; absolute ׳נ Genesis 25:29 4t.; construct נְזִיד Genesis 25:34; — a kind of boiled leguminous food, object of וַיָּ֫זֶד Genesis 25:29 (see זוּד Hiph`il); defined Genesis 25:34 as נְזִיד עֲדָשִׁים (see עדשׁ); object of בַּשֵּׁל 2 Kings 4:38; boiled in a סִיר 2 Kings 4:39 compare 2 Kings 4:40; mentioned, apparently as a common food, Haggai 2:12. זִיז, זִיזָא זִיזָה see below I. זוז. זִיזָא see זִיזָה below I. זוז. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Cultural Setting נָזִיד denotes a cooked mixture of ingredients—most naturally rendered “stew” or “pottage.” In ancient Near Eastern households it was an economical, nourishing staple, simmered in a single pot and eaten communally. Because it could incorporate whatever produce or meat was available, stew became a ready symbol for both sustenance and scarcity, blessing and potential danger, depending on context. Biblical Occurrences and Narrative Significance Jacob’s preparation of stew forms the backdrop for Esau’s impulsive sale of his firstborn rights. “One day, when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished” (Genesis 25:29). The ordinary meal highlights an extraordinary spiritual exchange: eternal covenant privilege is forfeited for immediate appetite. The scene warns against valuing temporal relief above God-given promises. During famine at Gilgal, Elisha directs the sons of the prophets to “cook stew” (2 Kings 4:38). An ill-chosen wild vine poisons the pot, but prophetic intervention turns death into life-giving provision. The episode showcases the Lord’s power to redeem even well-intended but hazardous human efforts, underscoring reliance on divine revelation amid crisis. 3. Haggai 2:12 The prophet employs stew in a priestly ruling on ritual purity: contact with holy meat does not transmit holiness to “bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food.” The illustration clarifies that holiness is not mechanically contagious, whereas defilement is (Haggai 2:13). Stew here serves as a neutral object within covenantal teaching on inward righteousness versus external forms. Symbolic and Theological Insights • Appetite and Choice: Esau’s craving for stew dramatizes the tension between fleshly desire and spiritual inheritance (cf. Hebrews 12:16-17). Historical and Ministry Implications • Pastoral Counseling: The Genesis narrative counsels believers to weigh long-term spiritual outcomes over short-term relief, a principle applicable to temptation, vocational decisions, and stewardship. Christological and Redemptive Foreshadowing The poisoned stew purified by flour anticipates the redemptive work of Christ, the “bread of life” who nullifies the poison of sin and supplies true nourishment (John 6:35). Likewise, Jacob’s stew episode magnifies the value of the birthright ultimately consummated in the Firstborn over all creation; forfeiting fellowship with Him for fleeting pleasure remains the perennial danger. Key Themes for Devotional Reflection 1. Immediate gratification versus eternal blessing. Forms and Transliterations הַנָּזִ֖יד הַנָּזִ֜יד הנזיד וּנְזִ֣יד ונזיד מֵהַנָּזִ֜יד מהנזיד נָזִ֑יד נָזִ֖יד נזיד han·nā·zîḏ hannaZid hannāzîḏ mê·han·nā·zîḏ mehannaZid mêhannāzîḏ nā·zîḏ naZid nāzîḏ ū·nə·zîḏ uneZid ūnəzîḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:29 HEB: וַיָּ֥זֶד יַעֲקֹ֖ב נָזִ֑יד וַיָּבֹ֥א עֵשָׂ֛ו NAS: When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came KJV: And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came INT: had cooked Jacob stew came Esau Genesis 25:34 2 Kings 4:38 2 Kings 4:39 2 Kings 4:40 Haggai 2:12 6 Occurrences |
    |