Lexical Summary nakoach: Before, in front of, opposite Original Word: נָכֹחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance plain, right, uprightness From the same as nekach; straightforward, i.e. (figuratively), equitable, correct, or (abstractly), integrity -- plain, right, uprightness. see HEBREW nekach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as nokach Definition straight, right, straightness NASB Translation right (2), straightforward (1), upright way (1), uprightness (2), what is right (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [נָכֹחַ] adjective and substantive straight, right, straightness, feminine נְכֹחָה, plural נְכֹחִים, וֺת-: — Isaiah 57:2 הֹלֵךְ נְכֹחוֺ he that walks in (compare Isaiah 33:15; Isaiah 50:10) his straightness (Ges 'der seinen geraden Weg geht'), figurative for straightforwardly (compare Proverbs 4:25); נְכֹחָה what is straight in front, figurative straightforwardness, honesty, Amos 3:10 ׳לֹא יָָֽדְעוּ עֲשׂוֺת נ, Isaiah 59:14 לֹא תוּכַל לָבוֺא ׳ונ ("" אֱמֶת); 2 Samuel 15:3 דבריך טובים וּנְכֹחִים thy pleadings are good and right (i.e. TRUE), Proverbs 8:9 (of words of Wisdom) כֻּלָּם נְכֹחִים לַמֵּבִין i.e. they lead straight to the right goal ("" ישׁרים; compare Proverbs 8:8b אֵין בָּהֶם נִפָתָּל וְעִקֵּשׁ), Proverbs 24:26 מֵשִׁיב דְּבָרִים נְכֹחִים i.e. either correct (leading to the right point), or honest answers; Isaiah 30:10 לֹאתֶֿחֱזוּ לָנוּ נְכֹחוֺת TRUE things (opposed to חֲלָקוֺת, מַהֲתַלּוֺת illusions), Isaiah 26:10 בְּאֶרֶץ נְכֹחוֺת יְעַוֵּל in a land of rectitude (Che) he will do wickedly. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Essence נָכֹחַ portrays what is straight, level, upright, or unimpeachably correct. Whether it describes a verdict, a path, or spoken words, the term sets the standard of integrity against which all that is crooked, devious, or compromised is measured. It evokes the image of an arrow that flies true, or a road cut straight through rugged terrain. Occurrences in Scripture 1. 2 Samuel 15:3 Across these diverse settings—court intrigue, wisdom sayings, and prophetic comfort—the term retains the core idea of what is unbendingly right. Narrative Insight: 2 Samuel 15:3 “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no one to hear you.” Here Absalom cynically masquerades as the champion of the “right” (נָכֹחַ) to undermine David’s throne. The text exposes how the vocabulary of righteousness can be weaponized by the ambitious. Israel’s monarchy was to embody justice; Absalom’s manipulation warns leaders against trading true equity for popular applause, and reminds hearers to discern motives behind ostensibly “upright” rhetoric. Wisdom Foundations: Proverbs 8:9; 24:26 Wisdom personified insists, “They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge” (Proverbs 8:9). The straightness of wisdom’s words both invites and tests the reader: if a heart is humble, wisdom’s path seems obvious; if proud, it appears obscure. Proverbs 24:26 intensifies the relational beauty of such rectitude: “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.” The verse affirms that straightforward speech fosters covenantal intimacy. In a society where alliances were sealed with a kiss, verbal transparency is depicted as the truest sign of loyalty. Prophetic Assurance: Isaiah 57:2 “Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” Against the backdrop of national apostasy, the prophet holds forth a serene eschatological promise: unwavering rectitude escorts the faithful into shalom. Even when society collapses, the straight path stretches unbroken beyond the grave. Theological Significance 1. Revelation of Divine Character: The “straightness” of נָכֹחַ mirrors the moral geometry of God Himself—He “cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near-Eastern legal systems prized the metaphor of a straight path for justice. Boundary stones, plumb lines, and level roads served as visual aids. In Israel, the concept was intensified by covenant theology: deviation from the straight way constituted rebellion against Yahweh, not mere social infraction. Ministry and Discipleship Applications • Preaching: Confront the temptation to court favor by half-truths; call the church to speak with unalloyed candor (Ephesians 4:25). Christological Perspective Jesus Christ embodies נָכֹחַ. His way is “straight” (Mark 1:3), His verdicts flawless (John 8:16), His speech perfectly true (John 14:6). The cross, appearing crooked to human perception, is in fact the straight line of redemptive justice intersecting mercy. Believers are summoned to conform to this plumb line of incarnate righteousness. Sermonic and Teaching Outline 1. A Word Straight as an Arrow (Definition and Imagery) Devotional Reflection Pray for lips that echo Proverbs 24:26—words as sincere as a covenantal kiss. Align every decision today with the straight edge of divine righteousness, trusting that “those who walk uprightly enter into peace.” Forms and Transliterations וּנְכֹחִ֑ים ונכחים נְ֭כֹחִים נְכֹחִֽים׃ נְכֹחֽוֹ׃ נכחו׃ נכחים נכחים׃ nə·ḵō·ḥîm nə·ḵō·ḥōw Nechochim nechoCho nəḵōḥîm nəḵōḥōw ū·nə·ḵō·ḥîm unechoChim ūnəḵōḥîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 15:3 HEB: דְבָרֶ֖ךָ טוֹבִ֣ים וּנְכֹחִ֑ים וְשֹׁמֵ֥עַ אֵין־ NAS: are good and right, but no KJV: [are] good and right; but [there is] no man [deputed] of the king INT: your claims are good and right listens no Proverbs 8:9 Proverbs 24:26 Isaiah 57:2 4 Occurrences |
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