Lexical Summary
naga: To touch, reach, strike, plague
Original Word:נָגַע
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:naga`
Pronunciation:naw-gah'
Phonetic Spelling:(naw-gah')
KJV: beat, (X be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch
NASB:touches, touch, touched, came, reached, touching, arrived
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. (properly) to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose
2. (euphemism) to lie with a woman)
3. (by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire)
4. violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
beat, be able to bring down, cast, come nigh, draw near nigh, get up, happen, join,
A primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. Lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphem., to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.) -- beat, (X be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto touch, reach, strike
NASB Translationadd (1), afford* (1), apply (1), arrive (1), arrived (4), attained (1), attains (1), bring down (1), brought down (1), came (6), cast (1), casts (1), close (2), come (2), draw near (1), drawn near (1), drew near (1), follows (1), happened (1), happens (2), plagued (1), pretended to be beaten (1), reach (4), reached (6), reaching (1), smitten (1), stricken (2), strike (1), strikes (1), struck (3), threw (1), touch (22), touched (20), touches (46), touching (6).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
:150 (Late Hebrew
id.; Arabic
is
agree with one (of food),
produce effect; Aramaic Ithpa`al
be struck (that is, with leprosy), compare Pi`el below); —
PerfectGenesis 32:33 +;Judges 20:41 +; 1 plural suffixGenesis 26:29;ImperfectLeviticus 5:3 +;Genesis 32:26 +, etc.;ImperativePsalm 144:5 2t.;Infinitive construct ,Genesis 20:6 3t.;2 Samuel 14:10;Ezekiel 17:10; suffixRuth 2:9 etc.;Participle active1 Kings 19:5 +;Jeremiah 12:14; feminineNumbers 19:22 2t.; plural1 Kings 6:27;passivePsalm 73:14;Isaiah 53:4; —
touch, usually followed byGenesis 3:3 (J),Genesis 32:25;Genesis 32:33;Exodus 19:12 (twice in verse);Exodus 19:13 (all E),Exodus 29:37;Exodus 30:20 (P),Leviticus 5:2,325t. Leviticus;Numbers 16:26 7t. Numbers (P) +Numbers 19:22 (no or object),Deuteronomy 14:8;Judges 6:21;2 Samuel 23:7;1 Kings 6:27 (twice in verse);1 Kings 19:5,7;2 Kings 13:21;Esther 5:2;Daniel 8:5,18;Lamentations 4:14; followed byHaggai 2:12;Numbers 4:15;1 Kings 6:27;Daniel 9:21, compareHosea 4:2; compareIsaiah 6:7;Daniel 10:16; compare accusativeIsaiah 52:11; absolute (no object expressed)Job 6:7;Lamentations 4:15.
oftouching earth, mountains, etc., followed byAmos 9:5;Psalm 104:32;Psalm 144:5; figurative oftouching the heart, followed by1 Samuel 10:26.
=strike, passivestricken,Psalm 73:14;Isaiah 53:4 "" ), of windJob 1:19;Ezekiel 17:10; of divine chastisement1 Samuel 6:9;Job 1:11;Job 19:21; followed byJob 2:5.
touch = harm, followed by. ,Genesis 26:11 (J),Joshua 9:19;2 Samuel 14:10;1 Chronicles 16:22 "" ) =Psalm 105:15;Jeremiah 12:14;Zechariah 2:12 (twice in verse); followed by.Genesis 20:6 (touch a woman), soProverbs 6:29 (followed by ); followed by. accusativeGenesis 26:29 (J, suffix), soRuth 2:9; see alsoJob 5:19 (subject , followed by ),Judges 20:34,41 (both subject , followed by ).
reach, extend to,2 Samuel 5:8, followed by (but corrupt see Dr HPS); in metaphor, followed by , of vineIsaiah 16:8;Jeremiah 48:32; of swordJeremiah 4:10, compareJeremiah 4:18; of chastisementMicah 1:9, compareJob 4:5 ("" ); also (followed by )Jeremiah 51:9; =come, followed byJonah 3:6;arrive (of time), absoluteEzra 3:1;Nehemiah 7:73.
ImperfectJoshua 8:15be stricken, defeated (in battle), i.e. feign to be so, but read probably , see
Perfect suffix 2Chronicles 26:20strike (with leprosy, 2 accusative), subject ; soImperfect2 Kings 15:5;Genesis 12:17 (subject ; accusative of person + accusative of cognate meaning).
Imperfectbe sticken by diseases (?; compare
and especially2 Samuel 7:14)Psalm 73:5.
PerfectIsaiah 25:12 6t.; 2 feminine singularEsther 4:14; 1singular suffixEzekiel 13:14, etc.;ImperfectIsaiah 8:8 3t.;Isaiah 6:7;Jeremiah 1:9, etc.;Infinitive constructEsther 2:12,15;ParticipleGenesis 28:12 +; feminine 2Chronicles 3:11; —cause to touch; reach, approach, arrive:
cause to touch, apply,Exodus 12:22) (J E; , );cause to touch (compare , ), i.e. bring to ground,Isaiah 25:5,12, compareLamentations 2:2;Ezekiel 13:14 (followed by ),Exodus 4:25 (J; followed by ); followed byIsaiah 6:7;Jeremiah 1:9; followed byIsaiah 5:8.
intransitivereach, extend,Genesis 28:12 (followed by locative); followed byZechariah 14:5, followed byIsaiah 8:8; compareLeviticus 5:7if his hand do not reach enough for a lamb (i.e. he be not able to furnish a lamb); followed byJob 20:6 (hyperbole) 2 Chronicles 3:11 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 3:12; followed by 2Chronicles 28:9;attain, followed byEsther 4:14,arrive, come, followed by accusative of locationIsaiah 30:4;Esther 4:3;Esther 8:17, followed by (of time)Daniel 12:12, followed by1 Samuel 14:9, followed byPsalm 107:18, absoluteEsther 6:14; followed byDaniel 8:7.
approach, of time, absoluteEcclesiastes 12:1;Songs 2:12;Ezekiel 7:12 ("" ); see alsoEsther 9:1 (followed by Infinitive), compareEsther 2:12,15;Psalm 88:4 (followed by ).
of fate or lot, =befal, followed byEsther 9:26;Ecclesiastes 8:14 (twice in verse);Psalm 32:6.
Topical Lexicon
Scope and Range of Usageנָגַע weaves through the narrative of Scripture wherever human beings, objects, or God Himself “come into contact.” The verb encompasses literal touch, the reach or approach of an object, the infliction of disease or plague, and the figurative sphere of emotional or spiritual impact. Its 150-plus occurrences show that contact is never neutral; it either transmits holiness and blessing, or it communicates impurity and judgment.
Physical Contact in Everyday Life
From the earliest chapters, touch involves moral accountability. Abimelech is warned, “I have kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her” (Genesis 20:6). A similar prohibition protects Isaac’s wife Rebekah inGenesis 26:11. In mundane settings Ruth’s fieldwork is safeguarded: “Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you?” (Ruth 2:9). These snapshots reveal touch as an arena where righteousness or violation is decided.
Ceremonial Purity and the Tabernacle
Leviticus concentrates נָגַע in the realm of clean and unclean. An Israelite who “touches any carcass” (Leviticus 5:2), “touches the flesh of the burnt offering” (Leviticus 6:27), or even “touches the bed” of a person with a discharge (Leviticus 15:4-11) becomes unclean until prescribed rites restore fellowship. InNumbers 4:15 the Kohathites “must not touch the holy things, lest they die,” underscoring the polarity: holy contact sanctifies; unwarranted contact destroys.
Divine Infliction and Protection
נָגַע frequently describes plague or illness sent by God. Pharaoh’s house is “afflicted” (Genesis 12:17). Miriam becomes leprous (Numbers 12:10). The covenantal blessings and curses climax: “The LORD will strike you with the boils of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 28:27). Yet the same verb conveys protective grace: “Only with your eyes shall you see the recompense of the wicked, for no plague shall come near your tent” (Psalm 91:8-10). The arm that smites also shields.
Sacred Boundaries
Mount Sinai dramatizes restricted approach: “Set bounds for the people…whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death” (Exodus 19:12-13). When Uzzah stretches out his hand to steady the Ark, “God struck him down there” (2 Samuel 6:6-7). In both scenes נָגַע enforces the lesson that access to God requires mediation.
“Do Not Touch My Anointed Ones”
In the patriarchal promise renewed in the Psalms, the Lord declares, “Do not touch My anointed ones; do My prophets no harm” (Psalm 105:15). Here נָגַע sets a hedge around God’s chosen leaders, anticipating the principle of respecting divinely appointed authority within the Church.
Prophetic Commissioning and Cleansing
Isaiah’s call hinges on purifying contact: “He touched my mouth and said, ‘Your iniquity is taken away’” (Isaiah 6:7). To Jeremiah, “The LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth” (Jeremiah 1:9), equipping him to speak. When Zechariah prophesies that whoever oppresses Judah “touches the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8), the verb communicates personal offense against God Himself.
Foreshadowing the Ministry of Christ
Though נָגַע is Hebrew, its theology anticipates the Gospels where Messiah heals by touch and bears our uncleanness (for exampleLuke 5:13;Luke 8:44-48). The Old Testament insistence that holiness overwhelms impurity finds fulfillment when Jesus, rather than becoming defiled, purifies the leper with a word and a hand.
Pastoral and Ministry Implications
1. Holiness and Caution: Leaders must honor the sacred, never handling holy things casually, whether that is the Lord’s Supper or pastoral authority.
2. Compassionate Contact: Just as righteous touch brings healing, believers are called to incarnate Christ’s tenderness, while maintaining moral boundaries.
3. Prayer and Protection:Psalm 91 encourages confidence that no plague will “come near” those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, a promise to plead amid physical or spiritual affliction.
4. Respect for Anointed Servants: Critique within the body must avoid harmful attack on those God sets apart, echoing David’s refusal to harm Saul (1 Samuel 24:6, employing a synonym but reflecting the same ethic).
Conclusion
נָגַע stitches together themes of purity and pollution, danger and deliverance, distance and intimacy. By tracking who may touch or be touched, Scripture teaches that access to God is both perilous and precious, culminating in the One who reached out His hands to the cross that sinners might safely draw near.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּנָגְעוֹ־ בנגעו־ גַּ֖ע גע הִגִּ֑יעַ הִגִּ֑יעוּ הִגִּ֖יעַ הִגִּ֣יעַ הִגִּ֥יעַ הִגִּ֧יעַ הִגִּֽיעַ׃ הִגִּֽיעוּ׃ הִגַּ֖עַתְּ הַגִּיעֵ֖נוּ הַנֹּֽגְעִים֙ הַנֹּגֵ֔עַ הַנֹּגֵ֖עַ הַנֹּגֵ֗עַ הַנֹּגֵ֜עַ הַנֹּגֵ֡עַ הַנֹּגֵ֣עַ הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ הַנֹּגֵ֧עַ הַנֹּגַ֖עַת הַנּוֹגֵ֤עַ הַנּוֹגֵ֥עַ הגיע הגיע׃ הגיעו הגיעו׃ הגיענו הגעת הנגע הנגעים הנגעת הנוגע וְגַ֖ע וְגַ֥ע וְהִגִּ֣יעוּ וְהִגַּעְתִּ֥יהוּ וְהִגַּעְתֶּ֤ם וְהַנֹּגֵ֖עַ וְהַנֹּגֵ֙עַ֙ וְיִגַּ֣ע וְיַגִּ֑יעַ וְנָגְעָ֥ה וְנָגַ֣ע וְנֹגֵ֥עַ וַ֝יַּגִּ֗יעוּ וַיְנַגַּ֨ע וַיִּ֨גַּע־ וַיִּגַּ֖ע וַיִּגַּ֤ע וַיִּגַּ֥ע וַיִּגַּע֙ וַיִּגַּע־ וַיִּנָּֽגְע֛וּ וַיַּגַּ֖ע וַיַּגַּ֣ע וַתִּגַּ֖ע וַתִּגַּ֤ע וַתַּגַּ֖ע וּבְהַגִּ֡יעַ וּבְהַגִּ֣יעַ וּנְגֹ֣עַ ובהגיע וגע והגיעו והגעתיהו והגעתם והנגע ויגיע ויגיעו ויגע ויגע־ וינגע וינגעו ונגע ונגעה ותגע יְנֻגָּֽעוּ׃ יִגְּע֖וּ יִגְּע֥וּ יִגַּ֔ע יִגַּ֖ע יִגַּ֜ע יִגַּ֣ע יִגַּ֤ע יִגַּ֥ע יִגַּ֧ע יִגַּע֙ יִגַּע־ יַגִּ֑יעַ יַגִּ֣יעַ יַגִּֽיעַ׃ יַגִּֽיעוּ׃ יַגִּיעֶ֖נָּה יגיע יגיע׃ יגיעו׃ יגיענה יגע יגע־ יגעו ינגעו׃ כְגַ֨עַת כגעת לִנְגֹּ֥עַ לִנְגּ֣וֹעַ לָגַ֥עַת לגעת לנגוע לנגע מַגִּ֔יעַ מַגִּ֕יעַ מַגִּ֖יעַ מַגִּ֣יעַ מַגִּ֣יעַ ׀ מַגִּ֤יעַ מַגִּיעֵ֥י מַגַּ֙עַת֙ מגיע מגיעי מגעת נְגַֽעֲנ֔וּךָ נִגְּע֖וֹ נָ֣גְעָה נָ֭גוּעַ נָג֛וּעַ נָגְעֵ֑ךְ נָגְעָ֥ה נָגַ֖ע נָגַ֛ע נָגַ֤ע נָגַ֥ע נָגַע֙ נָגָ֑עוּ נָגָ֖עוּ נָגָֽעוּ׃ נֹגְעֹ֖ת נֹגֵ֖עַ נֹגֵ֣עַ נֹגַ֖עַת נֹגַ֥עַת נגוע נגע נגעה נגעו נגעו׃ נגעך נגענוך נגעת נוֹגֵ֖עַ נוגע שֶׁמַּגִּ֥יעַ שמגיע תִּגְּע֖וּ תִּגְּע֥וּ תִּגְּעוּ֙ תִּגַּ֥ע תִּגַּע֮ תִּגַּע־ תִּגָּ֑עוּ תִּגָּ֔עוּ תִגְּע֖וּ תִגַּ֣ע תִגַּ֨ע תִגָּ֑עוּ תִגָּ֗ע תִגָּֽעוּ׃ תַגִּ֣יע תגיע תגע תגע־ תגעו תגעו׃ bə·nā·ḡə·‘ōw- bənāḡə‘ōw- benageov cheGaat ga ga‘ hag·gî·‘ê·nū haggî‘ênū haggiEnu han·nō·ḡa·‘aṯ han·nō·ḡə·‘îm han·nō·ḡê·a‘ han·nō·w·ḡê·a‘ hannōḡa‘aṯ hannoGaat hannōḡə‘îm hannoGea hannōḡêa‘ hannogeIm hannōwḡêa‘ hig·ga·‘at hig·gî·‘ū hig·gî·a‘ higga‘at higGaat higgî‘ū higGia higgîa‘ higGiu ḵə·ḡa·‘aṯ ḵəḡa‘aṯ lā·ḡa·‘aṯ lāḡa‘aṯ laGaat lin·gō·a‘ lin·gō·w·a‘ linGoa lingōa‘ lingōwa‘ mag·ga·‘aṯ mag·gî·‘ê mag·gî·a‘ magga‘aṯ magGaat maggî‘ê magGia maggîa‘ maggiEi nā·ḡa‘ nā·ḡā·‘ū nā·ḡə·‘āh nā·ḡə·‘êḵ nā·ḡū·a‘ naGa nāḡa‘ nāḡā‘ū naGau nāḡə‘āh nāḡə‘êḵ nageAh nageEch Nagua nāḡūa‘ nə·ḡa·‘ă·nū·ḵā nəḡa‘ănūḵā negaaNucha nig·gə·‘ōw niggə‘ōw niggeO nō·ḡa·‘aṯ nō·ḡə·‘ōṯ nō·ḡê·a‘ nō·w·ḡê·a‘ nōḡa‘aṯ noGaat nōḡə‘ōṯ noGea nōḡêa‘ nogeOt nōwḡêa‘ šem·mag·gî·a‘ šemmaggîa‘ shemmagGia ṯag·gî‘ tagGi ṯaggî‘ tig·ga‘ ṯig·ga‘ ṯig·gā‘ tig·ga‘- tig·gā·‘ū ṯig·gā·‘ū tig·gə·‘ū ṯig·gə·‘ū tigGa tigga‘ ṯigga‘ ṯiggā‘ tigga‘- tiggā‘ū ṯiggā‘ū tigGau tiggə‘ū ṯiggə‘ū tiggeU ū·ḇə·hag·gî·a‘ ū·nə·ḡō·a‘ ūḇəhaggîa‘ uneGoa ūnəḡōa‘ uvehagGia vaiyagGa vaiyagGiu vaiyigGa vaiyinnageU vattagGa vattigGa vaynagGa veGa vehannoGea vehiggaTem vehiggaTihu vehigGiu venaGa venageAh venoGea veyagGia veyigGa wat·tag·ga‘ wat·tig·ga‘ wattagga‘ wattigga‘ way·nag·ga‘ way·yag·ga‘ way·yag·gî·‘ū way·yig·ga‘ way·yig·ga‘- way·yin·nā·ḡə·‘ū waynagga‘ wayyagga‘ wayyaggî‘ū wayyigga‘ wayyigga‘- wayyinnāḡə‘ū wə·ḡa‘ wə·han·nō·ḡê·a‘ wə·hig·ga‘·tem wə·hig·ga‘·tî·hū wə·hig·gî·‘ū wə·nā·ḡa‘ wə·nā·ḡə·‘āh wə·nō·ḡê·a‘ wə·yag·gî·a‘ wə·yig·ga‘ wəḡa‘ wəhannōḡêa‘ wəhigga‘tem wəhigga‘tîhū wəhiggî‘ū wənāḡa‘ wənāḡə‘āh wənōḡêa‘ wəyaggîa‘ wəyigga‘ yag·gî·‘en·nāh yag·gî·‘ū yag·gî·a‘ yaggî‘ennāh yaggî‘ū yagGia yaggîa‘ yaggiEnnah yagGiu yə·nug·gā·‘ū yənuggā‘ū yenugGau yig·ga‘ yig·ga‘- yig·gə·‘ū yigGa yigga‘ yigga‘- yiggə‘ū yiggeU
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