5205. nid
Lexical Summary
nid: Wandering, exile, fugitive, lamentation

Original Word: נִיד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: niyd
Pronunciation: need
Phonetic Spelling: (need)
KJV: moving
NASB: solace
Word Origin: [from H5110 (נוּד - mourn)]

1. motion (of the lips in speech)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
moving

From nuwd; motion (of the lips in speech) -- moving.

see HEBREW nuwd

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from nud
Definition
quivering motion (of lips)
NASB Translation
solace (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
נִיד noun masculine:(see below) quivering motion of lips; — only construct שְׂפָתַי ׳נ Job 16:5 the motion of my lips (in expressing sympathy). — ᵑ0 makes subject of יחשׂך, but read probably אחשׂך, see חשׂך.

נִידָה see נִדָּה below נדד.

Topical Lexicon
Usage and Single Biblical Occurrence

Job 16:5 contains the sole appearance of נִיד. In the midst of painful lament, Job imagines reversing roles with his friends: “I would encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would bring relief” (Job 16:5). Here the term portrays the gentle, restorative movement of compassionate speech—words meant to soothe rather than wound.

Context within the Book of Job

Job’s friends have offered rigid theology and hollow accusations. By contrasting their harsh counsel with the hoped-for נִיד of his own lips, Job exposes a critical flaw in their ministry: truth without tenderness. The scene underscores that doctrines of suffering must be conveyed by mouths seasoned with mercy (compare Proverbs 15:23; Isaiah 50:4).

Biblical Theology of Comforting Speech

1. Divine Pattern: God’s own words heal the crushed in spirit (Psalm 107:20).
2. Prophetic Expectation: The Servant of the LORD is taught “to sustain the weary with a word” (Isaiah 50:4).
3. Apostolic Practice: “Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
4. Ethical Imperative: “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up” (Ephesians 4:29).

Within this canon-wide thread, נִיד illustrates the potency of speech as a conduit of divine consolation.

Historical and Cultural Insights

Ancient Near Eastern mourners expressed sympathy through both verbal lament and physical gestures such as nodding or rocking. The term evokes that gentle motion, suggesting lips that move sympathetically with the sufferer’s pain. Far from passive, such movement signified shared grief and active solidarity.

Pastoral and Ministry Application

• Model empathetic dialogue. Job longs for friends who will first strengthen him with kind words before probing his theology.
• Guard the tone of truth. Accurate doctrine spoken harshly may pierce deeper than intended, whereas compassionate wording helps suffering hearts receive correction.
• Cultivate a “ministry of lips” that mirrors the character of the Good Shepherd, whose voice calms storms within (Matthew 11:28–30).

Christological Reflection

Jesus Christ embodies the perfect נִיד. Crowds marveled at the gracious words on His lips (Luke 4:22). To the weary He offers, “Come to Me … and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Where Job could only envision such solace, the Messiah delivers it fully—His words stilling troubled souls and promising final relief in the gospel.

Summary

Though נִיד appears but once, it highlights Scripture’s consistent emphasis on compassionate speech. The term invites believers to let their lips move in harmony with the heart of God—bringing strength, solace, and hope to those who suffer.

Forms and Transliterations
וְנִ֖יד וניד veNid wə·nîḏ wənîḏ
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Job 16:5
HEB: בְּמוֹ־ פִ֑י וְנִ֖יד שְׂפָתַ֣י יַחְשֹֽׂךְ׃
NAS: you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips
KJV: my mouth, and the moving of my lips
INT: with my mouth and the solace of my lips lessen

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5205
1 Occurrence


wə·nîḏ — 1 Occ.

5204b
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