5232. nekas

Lexical Summary

nekas: Property, wealth, possession

Original Word: נְכַס
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: nkac
Pronunciation: neh-kas
Phonetic Spelling: (nek-as')
NASB: goods, treasury
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H5233 (נֶכֶס - wealth)]

1. goods

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

goods

(Aramaic) corresponding to nekec -- goods.

see HEBREW nekec

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to nekes
Definition
riches, property
NASB Translation
goods (1), treasury (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[נְכַס] noun [masculine], plural נִכְסִין riches, property (ᵑ7 Syriac; Egyptian Aramaic S-C^{E 4} +; Biblical Hebrew (late)) — ׳עֲנָשׁ נ Ezra 7:26 confiscation of property; construct נִכְסֵי Ezra 6:8.

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Scope

נְכַס (Strong’s Hebrew 5232) denotes material assets—money, goods, property, or expenses. The term appears only in Imperial Aramaic passages of Ezra and functions as a financial word used by Persian monarchs in official decrees.

Scriptural Usage

1. Ezra 6:8—King Darius orders that “The expenses are to be paid in full to these men from the royal revenues… so that the work will not be hindered.” Here, נְכַס describes the legitimate, sanctioned outlay of imperial funds for the rebuilding of the temple.
2. Ezra 7:26—King Artaxerxes warns that defiance of God’s law merits “confiscation of property.” In this setting the same word marks property that may be seized as punishment.

These two occurrences frame נְכַס within opposite poles: provision for worship and penalty for rebellion.

Historical Background

After the exile, Judah was a small province ruled by the vast Persian Empire. Persian policy granted subject peoples freedom in religious matters, provided civil order and loyalty to the crown remained intact.
• The temple project (circa 520 BC) required resources beyond the capacity of the returned remnant; hence Darius’ directive supplied costs from imperial tribute.
• Nearly sixty years later Artaxerxes I empowered Ezra to teach the Law (Ezra 7:25–26). The threat of property seizure for non-compliance reflects standard Persian legal practice and underscored the seriousness of covenant obedience.

Theological and Ministry Insights

Provision and judgment are two sides of the same divine sovereignty over wealth:
• God employs secular authorities to funnel resources toward His redemptive plans (compare Proverbs 21:1).
• Material blessing exists to advance worship, not personal aggrandizement.
• Disobedience may invite loss of possessions; righteousness may attract unexpected backing—even from unbelievers.

This dynamic carries into the New Testament. Believers voluntarily surrender property for Kingdom purposes (Acts 4:34–37), while Ananias and Sapphira’s deception shows the peril of misusing assets (Acts 5:1–11).

Practical Applications for Believers Today

• Stewardship: Faith communities should view budgets and building funds as stewardship opportunities under God’s providence.
• Generosity: As Persian kings underwrote temple work, so Christians are called to underwrite gospel work (2 Corinthians 9:7–11).
• Accountability: Governments may rightly enforce laws that touch property; the church likewise exercises discipline, always mindful that possessions are secondary to obedience (1 Timothy 6:17–19).

Intertextual Connections

נְכַס aligns with other Hebrew concepts such as הוֹן (“wealth”) and רְכוּשׁ (“property”) yet is unique in its Aramaic coloring and imperial context. Its dual use in Ezra complements broader biblical teaching: “Honor the LORD with your wealth” (Proverbs 3:9) and “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).

In sum, נְכַס reminds God’s people that every shekel belongs to Him—freely bestowed for His purposes and, if need be, swiftly removed when hearts stray.

Forms and Transliterations

וּמִנִּכְסֵ֣י ומנכסי נִכְסִ֖ין נכסין nichSin niḵ·sîn niḵsîn ū·min·niḵ·sê uminnichSei ūminniḵsê

Englishman's Concordance

Ezra 6:8
HEB: אֱלָהָ֣א דֵ֑ךְ וּמִנִּכְסֵ֣י מַלְכָּ֗א דִּ֚י
NAS: from the royal treasury out of the taxes
KJV: that of the king's goods, [even] of
INT: of God of this treasury the royal out

Ezra 7:26
HEB: הֵן־ לַעֲנָ֥שׁ נִכְסִ֖ין וְלֶאֱסוּרִֽין׃ פ
NAS: for confiscation of goods or for imprisonment.
KJV: to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
INT: or confiscation of goods imprisonment

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5232
2 Occurrences

niḵ·sîn — 1 Occ.
ū·min·niḵ·sê — 1 Occ.