Lexical Summary
na: please, now, pray
Original Word:נָא
Part of Speech:Interjection
Transliteration:na'
Pronunciation:nah
Phonetic Spelling:(naw)
KJV: I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh
NASB:please, now, pray, Oh, come, Ah, O
Word Origin:[a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may usually be rendered]
1. added mostly to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
I beseech pray thee you, go to, now, oh
A primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may usually be rendered: "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction -- I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. particle of entreaty or exhortation
DefinitionI (we) pray, now
NASB TranslationAh (2), beg (1), beseech (1), come (3), implore (1), may (1), now (159), O (2), O may (1), Oh (10), Oh may (2), please (181), please* (1), pray (16).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. or
(enclitic) (Syriac
,
; compare Ethiopic
veni, age! Di§ 160. 1 Lex:675 Köii. 244); — attached:
, when it expresses an entreaty or admonition, asGenesis 12:13 say,I pray,Genesis 13:9 ,Genesis 13:14 ,Genesis 15:5 ,Genesis 24:2 + often,Numbers 20:10 ,Judges 13:4;Judges 16:6,10,28;Judges 18:5, etc.,Isaiah 1:18;Isaiah 5:3;Amos 7:2,5; rarely in a command,Genesis 22:2;Isaiah 7:3). Ironically, in a challenge,Isaiah 47:12;Job 40:10. Once anomalously attached to a substantive, or (accents) prefixed to a verb,Numbers 12:13 (Ew § 246 a Di ; see ).
waw consecutive, in a precative sense (Dr§ 119 )Genesis 40:14.
, or a prayer or desire expressed;
cohortative,Genesis 19:8 let me,I pray, bring out,Genesis 19:20 ,Genesis 24:12Genesis 24:14Genesis 24:17;Genesis 24:23;Genesis 24:43;Genesis 24:45;Genesis 25:30;Genesis 32:12,30 + often,Exodus 3:18 let us go,I pray,Numbers 20:17;Isaiah 5:5; and in self-deliberation,Genesis 18:21 I will go down,now !Exodus 3:3 I will turn aside,now, and see,2 Samuel 14:15;Songs 3:2;Isaiah 5:1; withJob 32:21.
, in deprecation,Genesis 18:3 ,Genesis 19:7;Genesis 47:29;Numbers 10:31, etc.; hence elliptical do not,I pray, (do this,)Genesis 19:18;Genesis 33:10;Numbers 12:13 Ew Di.
,Genesis 18:4 let there be brought,I pray,Genesis 26:28;Genesis 33:14;Genesis 44:18,33, etc.,2 Samuel 14:11,12,17;1 Kings 17:21;2 Kings 2:9;Psalm 7:10;Psalm 118:2;Psalm 118:3; ironicallyIsaiah 19:12;Isaiah 47:13, or defiantlyJeremiah 17:15 where is the word of J.? ; with ,Genesis 13:8 ,Genesis 18:30 ,Genesis 37:27;Numbers 12:12.
[, contracted] .
see above , especially in the phrase , used by one craving a favourable hearingGenesis 30:27;Genesis 33:10;Judges 6:17;1 Samuel 27:5, and with repeated in the request itselfGenesis 18:3;Genesis 47:29;Genesis 50:4;Exodus 33:13;Exodus 34:9; otherwiseGenesis 24:42.
behold,I pray, craving a favourable consideration of the fact pointed to by , and of the request founded upon it (with which is often repeated),Genesis 12:11;Genesis 16:2;Genesis 18:27,31;Genesis 19:2,8,19,20;Genesis 27:2;Judges 13:3;Judges 19:9;1 Samuel 9:6;1 Samuel 16:15;2 Samuel 13:24;2 Kings 2:16,19;2 Kings 4:9 +,Job 13:18;Job 33:2;Job 40:15,16.
() Woe,now, to me (us) !Jeremiah 4:31;Jeremiah 45:3;Lamentations 5:16.
where,pray ?Psalm 115:2.
, peculiarly,Psalm 116:14;Psalm 116:18 my vows to J. I will perform,O that (it may be) before all his people !
II.
see .
II. , of fleshExodus 12:9 (P; opposed to ). I.
[], , see .
v . . see II. .
see below I. .
, see . see .
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Functionנָא functions as a mild, courteous particle that adds urgency, earnestness, or politeness to an imperative or cohortative. It rarely alters the grammatical form of a command; rather, it reveals the speaker’s attitude—humble petition, heartfelt plea, or respectful entreaty. Because it is woven into the warp and woof of Hebrew conversation, its presence often discloses the emotional temperature of a text: desperation, intercession, worship, or even diplomatic tact.
Frequency and Distribution
• Approximately 403 occurrences.
• Most frequent in Genesis through Deuteronomy, where direct speech dominates and covenant servants continually appeal to God or one another.
• Prominent in narrative (Samuel–Kings), poetry (Psalms), and prophetic oracles (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos).
• Rare in legal or genealogical material where commands are formal and relational warmth is absent.
Primary Contexts of Usage
1. Respectful requests between humans.
2. Supplications addressed to the LORD.
3. Exhortations from prophets to wayward Israel.
4. Intensification of a divine instruction (“Take now your son,”Genesis 22:2).
5. Liturgical cries for salvation or prosperity (“Save us, we pray,”Psalm 118:25).
Patriarchal Entreaties
Genesis abounds with נָא, framing early covenant relationships:
•Genesis 12:13 – “Please say you are my sister” – Abraham’s diplomatic appeal in Egypt.
•Genesis 13:8 – “Let there be no strife, please, between you and me” – preserving family unity.
•Genesis 18:3 – “My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass Your servant by” – Abraham’s hospitality to the Angel of the LORD.
•Genesis 22:2 – “Take now your son” – the dramatic intensifier that spotlights the costliness of obedience.
•Genesis 24:12-14 – The servant’s “please” in prayer for guidance; a model for dependence in decision-making.
Mosaic Intercession
Moses deploys נָא in climactic moments of covenant mediation:
•Exodus 4:10 – “Please, Lord, I am not eloquent” – a transparent confession of inadequacy.
•Exodus 33:18 – “Please show me Your glory” – the burning longing for intimate knowledge of God.
•Numbers 12:13 – “O God, please heal her” – urgent compassion for Miriam.
•Numbers 14:17-19 – “Please let the power of my Lord be great” – grounding intercessory plea in revealed character.
These texts teach that bold petitions rest on divine self-revelation, not human merit.
Royal Appeals and Court Etiquette
•1 Samuel 26:11 – David: “The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. But take now the spear.”
•2 Samuel 13:7 – Amnon’s sinister request cloaked in courtesy.
•1 Kings 2:17 – Adonijah’s calculated “Please speak to King Solomon.”
נָא highlights the fine line between humble request and political maneuver.
Poetic and Wisdom Literature
•Psalm 7:1 – “O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save me, I pray, from all my pursuers.”
•Psalm 118:25 – “Save us, we pray, O LORD; O LORD, we pray, give us success!”
•Proverbs 6:3 – “Do this now, my son, and free yourself.”
Psalm 118:25 (“Hoshia-na”) later blossoms into the New Testament cry of the crowds at the triumphal entry (Matthew 21:9), showing how a single Hebrew particle becomes the heartbeat of Messianic expectation.
Prophetic Pleas
Prophets employ נָא either to plead with the nation or to soften an oracle’s edge:
•Isaiah 1:18 – “Come now, let us reason together.”
•Jeremiah 7:3 – “Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place.”
•Amos 7:2 – “Lord GOD, please forgive! How can Jacob stand, for he is so small?”
The particle exposes prophetic compassion and the divine willingness to dialogue before judgment falls.
Liturgical and Worship Significance
In temple liturgy נָא becomes a congregational acclamation:
•Psalm 118:25-26 ties “Save us, we pray” with “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD,” a pattern echoed on Palm Sunday.
• Its usage in penitential psalms highlights that true worship mingles adoration with confessed need.
Theological Significance
1. Covenant Relationship: נָא presupposes accessibility—God welcomes earnest appeals from His servants.
2. Human Dependency: Scripture normalizes humble “please” on human lips, countering self-sufficiency.
3. Divine Freedom: Even when attached to divine commands (“Take now your son”), the particle reminds readers that God’s imperatives are never cold decrees but are spoken within a personal relationship.
Christological and Redemptive Foreshadowing
“Hoshia-na” (Psalm 118:25) becomes “Hosanna” in the Gospels, greeting Jesus as Davidic King. The particle embedded in Hebrew liturgy thus finds its ultimate answer in the saving work of Christ; every Old Testament “please” anticipates the definitive “It is finished” (John 19:30).
Ministry and Pastoral Application
• Prayer: Encourage believers to use simple, direct petitions, trusting God’s readiness to hear.
• Preaching: Highlight moments where נָא turns narrative into dialogue, inviting response.
• Counseling: Model respectful, earnest speech that balances authority and humility.
• Worship Leading: ConnectPsalm 118 with New Testament usage to underscore continuity of redemption history.
Homiletical Suggestions
1. Sermon Series – “The Power of a Holy Please: Seven Biblical Pleas that Moved the Heart of God.”
2. Prayer Meeting Theme – “Show us, please, Your glory” (Exodus 33:18) as a corporate cry for revival.
3. Advent Reflection – Trace “Hoshia-na” fromPsalm 118 to the Gospels, culminating inRevelation 7:10’s salvation anthem.
Conclusion
Though microscopic in size, נָא magnifies Scripture’s relational fabric. Whether on Abraham’s lips, in Moses’ intercession, in David’s psalmody, or in prophetic protest, it testifies that the Almighty engages with people who dare to say “please.”
Forms and Transliterations
נָ֑א נָ֔א נָ֕א נָ֖א נָ֗א נָ֛א נָ֜א נָ֝֗א נָ֝א נָ֞א נָ֠א נָ֡א נָ֣א נָ֣א ׀ נָ֤א נָ֥א נָ֧א נָ֨א נָ֬א נָ֭א נָּ֑א נָּ֔א נָּ֖א נָּ֗א נָּ֛א נָּ֜א נָּ֝֗א נָּ֞א נָּ֡א נָּ֣א נָּ֤א נָּ֥א נָּ֨א נָּ֭א נָּֽא׃ נָּא֙ נָּא֩ נָּא־ נָֽא׃ נָא נָא֙ נָא֩ נָא֮ נָא־ נא נא־ נא׃ na nā nā-
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