Lexical Summary noam: Pleasantness, beauty, favor, delight Original Word: נֹעַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beauty, pleasantness From na'em; agreeableness, i.e. Delight, suitableness, splendor or grace -- beauty, pleasant(-ness). see HEBREW na'em NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom naem Definition delightfulness, pleasantness NASB Translation beauty (1), favor (3), pleasant (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs נֹ֫עַם noun masculinePsalm 90:17 delightfulness, pleasantness (Ecclus נועם תירוש Ecclesiasticus 32:6); — ׳נ absolute Zechariah 11:7 4t.; construct Psalm 27:4; Psalm 90:17; — 1 delightfulness of ׳׃י contemplated in temple Psalm 27:4, shewn in his favour, אדניעָ֗֗֗לֵינוּ ׳וִיהִי נ Psalm 90:17. 2 name of one of two symbolic staves Zechariah 11:7,10. 3 pleasantness, as defining Genitive: ׳דַּרְכֵינֿ Proverbs 3:17; ׳אִמְרֵינֿ Proverbs 15:26; Proverbs 16:24. Topical Lexicon Overview The Hebrew term נֹעַם conveys an atmosphere of pleasantness, delight, grace and favor that proceeds from God and, when embraced, brings refreshment to human relationships and endeavors. Across its seven occurrences, the word frames the experience of life under divine benevolence, whether in worship, in wisdom for daily conduct, or in prophetic symbolism. Usage in the Psalms: Worship Shaped by Divine Beauty and Favor Psalm 27:4 presents the supreme pursuit of the believer: “to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.” Here נֹעַם depicts the attractive splendor of God Himself, drawing the worshiper into intimate communion. Psalm 90:17 shifts the focus from contemplation to vocation: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands.” Divine pleasantness becomes a stabilizing, empowering force, transforming ordinary labor into enduring work blessed by God. Wisdom Literature: Pleasantness as the Path of the Righteous Proverbs repeatedly grounds pleasantness in righteous speech and conduct. Prophetic Symbolism: The Staff Called Favor In Zechariah 11 the prophet becomes a shepherd-figure wielding two staffs. One is named נֹעַם (“Favor”): “Then I took my staff Favor and cut it in pieces, to revoke the covenant I had made with all the nations” (Zechariah 11:10). By breaking the staff, Zechariah enacts judgment on a faithless flock, signaling withdrawal of covenant privilege. Pleasantness, once rejected, is removed. Yet the staff’s earlier function (Zechariah 11:7) shows God’s intent to shepherd His people with grace. The episode exposes the horror of spurning divine favor while foreshadowing the restoration promised later in the book through the coming Shepherd–King. Theological Synthesis 1. Source: נֹעַם originates in God’s own character. His presence is inherently delightful, and His favor empowers human endeavor (Psalms). Ministry and Discipleship Applications • Worship: Cultivate a singular desire to behold the Lord’s beauty, prioritizing time in His presence as David did. Devotional Reflection Where the Lord’s beauty is seen, hearts are satisfied. Where His favor rests, labor is established. Where His pleasantness governs speech, communities thrive. And where His gracious staff guides, covenant life flourishes. Therefore, pursue נֹעַם—delight in it, speak it, shepherd with it—until the earth is filled with the knowledge of the LORD’s pleasantness as the waters cover the sea. Forms and Transliterations בְּנֹֽעַם־ בנעם־ נֹ֑עַם נֹ֔עַם נֹ֙עַם֙ נֹ֤עַם נֹֽעַם׃ נעם נעם׃ bə·nō·‘am- bənō‘am- benoam nō‘am nō·‘am NoamLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 27:4 HEB: חַיַּ֑י לַחֲז֥וֹת בְּנֹֽעַם־ יְ֝הוָ֗ה וּלְבַקֵּ֥ר NAS: To behold the beauty of the LORD KJV: to behold the beauty of the LORD, INT: of my life to behold the beauty of the LORD meditate Psalm 90:17 Proverbs 3:17 Proverbs 15:26 Proverbs 16:24 Zechariah 11:7 Zechariah 11:10 7 Occurrences |
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