Lexical Summary nin: Descendant, offspring, progeny Original Word: נִין Strong's Exhaustive Concordance son From nuwn; progeny -- son. see HEBREW nuwn NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nun Definition offspring, posterity NASB Translation offspring (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs נִין noun [masculine] offspring, posterity; — absolute Job 18:19; Isaiah 14:22; suffix נִינִי Genesis 21:23 (all "" נֶכֶד). מָנוֺן see above Topical Lexicon Definition and ContextThe noun נִין denotes the continuing line of a family, emphasizing both the biological descendant and the enduring legacy attached to a name. While the Hebrew Scriptures offer many terms for “seed” or “offspring,” נִין appears only three times, each time highlighting the permanence—or the removal—of a lineage within God’s sovereign dealings with humanity. Occurrences in Scripture • Genesis 21:23 – Abimelech implores Abraham, “Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or my sons or my descendants (נִין)”. The covenant underscores that God’s blessing upon Abraham extends to future generations, linking faithfulness today with security tomorrow. • Job 18:19 – In Bildad’s description of the wicked man: “He has no offspring or posterity among his people, no survivor where he once lived”. The loss of נִין forms part of divine retribution, portraying the severing of name and influence as a fate worse than personal death. • Isaiah 14:22 – Concerning Babylon’s downfall: “I will rise up against them,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will cut off from Babylon name and remnant, offspring (נִין) and descendant”. The total eradication of dynasty demonstrates that earthly empires stand or fall by the decree of the LORD. Theological Significance 1. Preservation of Covenant Lines In Genesis, נִין is tied to oath-keeping and covenant continuity. God’s faithfulness to Abraham ensures an enduring posterity through which the nations are blessed (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8). The term therefore supports the theme that divine promises outlive their original recipients. 2. Judgment through Erasure of Lineage Job 18:19 and Isaiah 14:22 contrast sharply with Genesis, showing that God may cut off a line entirely when iniquity is full. The extinction of נִין functions as an ultimate sanction, leaving no human means for the name to recover (compare Deuteronomy 9:14; Psalm 109:13). 3. Assurance of a Righteous Seed Although נִין is never applied directly to the Messiah, its concept fits within the larger biblical narrative of a preserved “seed” culminating in Jesus Christ (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 11:1; Luke 1:32-33). The survival of a righteous lineage, often against overwhelming odds, proves that God’s redemptive plan cannot be thwarted. Historical Background Ancient Near Eastern cultures prized the perpetuation of a household. A family without descendants lost property rights, ancestral worship, and public memory. Thus, Scripture’s use of נִין taps into an acute cultural fear: the obliteration of legacy. Conversely, promises concerning offspring formed the bedrock of treaties and covenants, as seen in Genesis 21:23. Practical Ministry Implications • Legacy and Discipleship – Believers are stewards of both biological and spiritual posterity (2 Timothy 2:2). The biblical concern for נִין reminds the church to invest intentionally in the next generation’s faith. • Sobriety in Leadership – The warnings of Job 18:19 and Isaiah 14:22 caution leaders that unrepentant sin endangers not only themselves but those who follow them. Ministry decisions echo across generations. • Hope amid Cultural Decline – Even when societies appear doomed like Babylon, God preserves a remnant. This truth fuels perseverance in gospel witness (Romans 11:5). Related Themes and Cross References Seed (זֶרַע, Genesis 3:15; 22:17) Name (שֵׁם, Psalm 72:17) Remnant (שְׁאֵרִית, Isaiah 10:20-22) Inheritance (נַחֲלָה, Proverbs 13:22) Summary נִין crystallizes the biblical tension between the perpetuation and the extinction of a lineage. Whether securing Abraham’s blessing or pronouncing Babylon’s doom, Scripture employs the term to display God’s unwavering justice and mercy across generations. Forms and Transliterations וְנִ֥ין וּלְנִינִ֖י ולניני ונין נִ֤ין נין nin nîn ū·lə·nî·nî uleniNi ūlənînî veNin wə·nîn wənînLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 21:23 HEB: תִּשְׁקֹ֣ר לִ֔י וּלְנִינִ֖י וּלְנֶכְדִּ֑י כַּחֶ֜סֶד NAS: that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, KJV: that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: INT: you will not deal my offspring my posterity to the kindness Job 18:19 Isaiah 14:22 3 Occurrences |
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