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Original Word:נָצַר
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:natsar
Pronunciation:naw-tsar'
Phonetic Spelling:(naw-tsar')
KJV: besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man)
NASB:observe, preserve, keep, watch, keeps, besieged, guard
Word Origin:[a primitive root]

1. to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)

besieged, hidden thing, keeper monument, observe, preserver,

A primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) Or a bad one (to conceal, etc.) -- besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to watch, guard, keep
NASB Translation
besieged (2), Besiegers (1), cunning (1), guard (2), guarding (1), guards (2), hidden things (1), keep (7), keep watch (1), keeper (1), keeps (3), kept (1), man (1), observe (10), observed (1), observes (1), preserve (10), preserves (1), reserve (1), secret places (1), tends (1), watch (4), watcher (1), watches (1), watchman (1), watchmen (1).

I. [] (Late Hebrewid., observe; Assyriannaƒâru,watch over, protect; Old Aramaicprotect Lzb³²⁵ Cook⁸³; Palmyrene in proper name Vog^{150, 4} Cook¹²⁴; Aramaic , (compare Wetzst in De^Job (2) onJob 27:18); Arabiclook at, consider, examine (,overseer is Aramaic loan-word Frä¹³⁸); Sabeanto aid them Hal^{Rev. Sém. iv (1896), 71}; Ethiopicspectare, intueri, etc., Di⁷⁰¹; — compare also ); —

Perfect3masculine singular suffixPsalm 119:129; 1singularPsalm 119:22;Psalm 119:56;Psalm 119:100; 3masculine pluralProverbs 22:12;ImperfectProverbs 3:1; suffix Ges^{§ 58}, 4 R.)Deuteronomy 32:10; feminine suffixProverbs 2:11 (Ges^{§ 58}, 4 R.); 1 singularPsalm 119:69;Psalm 119:34;Psalm 119:115;Psalm 119:145; suffixIsaiah 42:6;Isaiah 49:8 (Ges Bö Ew and others from );Isaiah 27:3; 3masculine pluralProverbs 20:28;Deuteronomy 33:9 (on forms see Ges^{§ 66}, 2, R. I) + 15 t. Imperfect;ImperativePsalm 34:14 3t.;Psalm 141:3 (dagesh forte dirimens Ges^{§ 20}, 2 b); suffixProverbs 4:13;Infinitive absoluteNahum 2:2;constructProverbs 2:8;ParticipleProverbs 28:7;Exodus 34:7 7t.; suffixIsaiah 27:3; plural2 Kings 17:9;2 Kings 18:8, etc.;passiveEzekiel 6:12; pluralIsaiah 65:4 ( , ); construct (Kt only here)Isaiah 49:6; feminineIsaiah 1:8 (Di reads Niph`al Participle √ ); constructProverbs 7:10; pluralIsaiah 48:6 (Che reads ).

Watch, guard, keep, a vineyardJob 27:18 (compare Wetzst in De^Job (2) on the passage),Isaiah 27:3 (twice in verse), fig-treeProverbs 27:18, fortificationNahum 2:2;watchmenJeremiah 31:6;tower of watchmen2 Kings 17:9;2 Kings 18:8; in ethical sense of men, guarding the mouthProverbs 13:3, the wayProverbs 16:17Proverbs 4:23; the tonguePsalm 34:14; with , over the door of the lipsPsalm 141:3; of GodJob 7:20 (thou)watcher of men (iron.).

Guard from dangers, preserve, with accusative, subject God or his attributesDeuteronomy 32:10;Psalm 25:21;Psalm 31:24;Psalm 40:12;Psalm 61:8;Isaiah 26:3;Isaiah 42:6;Isaiah 49:8;Proverbs 2:8;Proverbs 20:28;Proverbs 22:12;Proverbs 24:12; with accusative andfrom whichPsalm 12:8;Psalm 32:7;Psalm 64:2;Psalm 140:2;Psalm 140:5. In Wisdom Literature subject is abstract:Proverbs 4:6;Proverbs 2:11;Proverbs 13:6;Isaiah 49:6preserved of Israel.

Guard with fidelity, keep, observe: of ,Exodus 34:7 (J); elsewhere of man observing the covenantDeuteronomy 33:9 (poem)Psalm 25:10, the divine lawPsalm 78:7;Psalm 105:45;Psalm 119:2;Psalm 119:22;Psalm 119:33;Psalm 119:34;Psalm 119:56;Psalm 119:69;Psalm 119:100;Psalm 119:115;Psalm 119:129;Psalm 119:145; commands of parentsPsalm 60:20;Psalm 28:7; and discipline of WisdomProverbs 3:1,21;Proverbs 4:13;Proverbs 5:2.

Guard, keep secret, dubious:secret thingsIsaiah 48:6;secret placesIsaiah 65:4 (see forms above);secret, wily mindedProverbs 7:10 (of harlot, so RVmclose, i.e.secretive).

Kept close, blockaded, dubious:the blockaded (so Ew Hi Co Toy; but Ke Bth Kaupreserved; Hi Co Bth Toy strike out )Ezekiel 6:12;blockaded cityIsaiah 1:8 (see form above);blockadersJeremiah 4:16 (but = i.e.foes).

see I

Passive participle

Root Concept: Watchful Guardianship

נָצַר gathers the ideas of guarding, preserving, watching over, and maintaining. Whether the subject is God, the righteous, or wisdom itself, the verb consistently carries a note of intentional, covenant-conscious vigilance.

Occurrences and Canonical Spread

Approximately sixty-one times across Torah, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets. Its poetry-rich distribution (especially Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah) underscores both devotional and instructional purposes.

Guarding Covenant Faithfulness

The term first appears in direct connection with covenant grace. “maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations” (Exodus 34:7). The same covenant motif re-emerges inDeuteronomy 7:9; 33:9;Psalm 25:10. Divine “keeping” is never passive guardianship; it is the active, steadfast loyalty that undergirds every biblical promise.

Divine Preservation of His People

When God is the keeper, נָצַר highlights continual, comprehensive protection:
• “You, O LORD, will keep us; You will forever guard us from this generation.” (Psalm 12:7)
• “You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)
• “I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it continually. I guard it night and day so no one can disturb it.” (Isaiah 27:3)

The verb thereby underlines the unbreakable security of those who trust in Him.

Human Responsibility to Guard God’s Word

Reciprocally, נָצַר expresses the believer’s duty:
• “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
• “He who guards his mouth protects his life.” (Proverbs 13:3)
• “They kept Your word and guarded Your covenant.” (Deuteronomy 33:9)
• “I have been blameless before Him and kept myself from iniquity.” (2 Samuel 22:24)

Moral endurance is portrayed not as passive avoidance but as active, vigilant stewardship.

Wisdom Literature Emphasis

Proverbs saturates everyday concerns with נָצַר’s urgency: paths (2:8), commandments (3:1), discretion (5:2), soul (16:17). Wisdom’s promise is practical: guarding yields life, flourishing, and protection from folly.

Prophetic Vision: The LORD as Keeper and the Servant Preserved

Isaiah extends the motif to the Servant of the LORD:

“I will keep You and appoint You to be a covenant for the people.” (Isaiah 42:6; cf. 49:8)

Here נָצַר shapes messianic hope—God guards the Servant who, in turn, guards His people by mediating covenant blessing.

Liturgical Use in the Psalms

Psalms employ נָצַר both as praise (acknowledging divine preservation) and petition (seeking continued care). The refrain “preserve me” (cf.Psalm 31:23) becomes a liturgical anchor for communal and personal trust.

Eschatological Dimensions

The prophetic future, secured by divine keeping, culminates in safeguarded peace (Isaiah 26) and an eternally watered vineyard (Isaiah 27). God’s guardianship ensures the irreversible triumph of righteousness.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Pastoral care: urge believers to “guard” inner life and speech, echoingProverbs 4:23; 13:3.
• Intercession: pray on the grounds ofExodus 34:7—that God “maintain” covenant mercy.
• Discipleship: balance assurance (God keeps) with responsibility (we keep).

Intertextual Connections and New Testament Reflection

Greek tēreō (to keep) mirrors נָצַר in passages such asJohn 17:11 (“keep them in Your name”) and1 Peter 1:5 (“protected by the power of God”). The continuity reinforces the Bible’s unified witness: salvation is secure because the Covenant-Keeper guards His people, who in turn guard His word.

Theological Synthesis

נָצַר weaves a single fabric: the LORD’s proactive fidelity, the believer’s responsive vigilance, and the Messiah’s safeguarded mission. From Sinai to the New Jerusalem, Scripture’s storyline is one of watchful guardianship—a God who keeps, a people who are kept, and a calling to keep that which has been entrusted.

אֱצֹּ֬ר אֶצֳּרֶֽנָּה׃ אֶצֹּֽרָה׃ אצר אצרה׃ אצרנה׃ וְ֝אֶצְּרָ֗ה וְאֶצְּרֶ֥נָּה וְאֶצְּרָ֥ה וְאֶצָּרְךָ֗ וְהַנָּצ֔וּר וְנֹצֵ֣ר וְתִצְּרֶֽךָּ׃ וּבַנְּצוּרִ֖ים וּנְצֻ֥רַת וּנְצֻר֖וֹת ואצרה ואצרך ואצרנה ובנצורים והנצור ונצר ונצרות ונצרת ותצרך׃ יִנְצְרֻֽהוּ׃ יִנְצֹ֗רוּ יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃ יִצְּר֑וּנִי יִצְּרֶ֖נְהוּ יִצְּרֽוּנִי׃ יִצְּרוּ־ יִצֹּ֥ר ינצרהו׃ ינצרו ינצרו׃ יצר יצרו־ יצרוני יצרוני׃ יצרנהו לְנֹצְרֵ֥י לִ֭נְצֹר לנצר לנצרי נְצָרָ֥תַם נְצֹ֣ר נְצֹ֥ר נְצוּרָֽה׃ נִ֝צְּרֶ֗הָ נִ֝צְּרָ֗ה נָ֣צְרוּ נָצ֣וֹר נָצָֽרְתִּי׃ נֹֽצְרָ֔הּ נֹצְרִ֖ים נֹצְרִ֥ים נֹצְרֵ֥י נֹצֵ֣ר נֹצֵ֥ר נֹצֵ֪ר נֹצֵֽר׃ נוֹצְרִ֖ים נוֹצֵ֣ר נוצר נוצרים נצור נצורה׃ נצר נצר׃ נצרה נצרו נצרי נצרים נצרתי׃ נצרתם תִּ֫צְּרֵ֥נִי תִּנְצְרֵ֑נִי תִּנְצְרֵֽנִי׃ תִּצְּרֶ֓נּוּ ׀ תִּצֹּ֖ר תִּצֹּ֣ר תִּצֹּ֥ר תִנְצְרֶֽכָּה׃ תנצרכה׃ תנצרני תנצרני׃ תצר תצרנו תצרני ’eṣ·ṣō·rāh ’eṣ·ṣo·ren·nāh ’ĕṣ·ṣōr ’ĕṣṣōr ’eṣṣōrāh ’eṣṣorennāh etzTzor etzTzorah etztzoRennah lə·nō·ṣə·rê lənōṣərê lenotzeRei lin·ṣōr linṣōr Lintzor nā·ṣā·rə·tî nā·ṣə·rū nā·ṣō·wr nāṣārətî nāṣərū nāṣōwr naTzareti Natzeru naTzor nə·ṣā·rā·ṯam nə·ṣōr nə·ṣū·rāh nəṣārāṯam nəṣōr nəṣūrāh netzaRatam neTzor netzuRah niṣ·ṣə·rāh niṣ·ṣə·re·hā niṣṣərāh niṣṣərehā nitztzeRah nitztzeReha nō·ṣə·rāh nō·ṣə·rê nō·ṣə·rîm nō·ṣêr nō·w·ṣêr nō·wṣ·rîm nōṣêr nōṣərāh nōṣərê nōṣərîm noTzer notzeRah notzeRei notzeRim notzRim nōwṣêr nōwṣrîm tin·ṣə·rê·nî ṯin·ṣə·rek·kāh ṯinṣərekkāh tinṣərênî tintzeRekkah tintzeReni tiṣ·ṣə·rê·nî tiṣ·ṣə·ren·nū tiṣ·ṣōr tiṣṣərênî tiṣṣərennū tiṣṣōr titztzeReni titztzeRennu titzTzor ū·ḇan·nə·ṣū·rîm ū·nə·ṣu·raṯ ū·nə·ṣu·rō·wṯ ūḇannəṣūrîm ūnəṣuraṯ ūnəṣurōwṯ uneTzurat unetzuRot uvannetzuRim veetztzareCha veetztzeRah veetztzeRennah vehannaTzur venoTzer vetitztzeReka wə’eṣṣārəḵā wə’eṣṣərāh wə’eṣṣərennāh wə·’eṣ·ṣā·rə·ḵā wə·’eṣ·ṣə·rāh wə·’eṣ·ṣə·ren·nāh wə·han·nā·ṣūr wə·nō·ṣêr wə·ṯiṣ·ṣə·re·kā wəhannāṣūr wənōṣêr wəṯiṣṣərekā yin·ṣə·ru·hū yin·ṣō·rū yinṣəruhū yinṣōrū yintzeRuhu yinTzoru yiṣ·ṣə·ren·hū yiṣ·ṣə·rū- yiṣ·ṣə·rū·nî yiṣ·ṣōr yiṣṣərenhū yiṣṣərū- yiṣṣərūnî yiṣṣōr yitztzeRenhu yitztzeru yitztzeRuni yitzTzorInterlinear Greek •Interlinear Hebrew •Strong's Numbers •Englishman's Greek Concordance •Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •Parallel Texts

Exodus 34:7
HEB: נֹצֵ֥ר חֶ֙סֶד֙ לָאֲלָפִ֔ים
NAS:who keeps lovingkindness
KJV:Keeping mercy for thousands,
INT:keeps lovingkindness thousands

Deuteronomy 32:10
HEB:יְסֹֽבְבֶ֙נְהוּ֙ יְב֣וֹנְנֵ֔הוּ יִצְּרֶ֖נְהוּ כְּאִישׁ֥וֹן עֵינֽוֹ׃
KJV: he instructedhim, he kept him as the apple
INT: encircled caredkept as the pupil of his eye

Deuteronomy 33:9
HEB:אִמְרָתֶ֔ךָ וּבְרִֽיתְךָ֖ יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃
NAS: Your word,And kept Your covenant.
KJV: thy word,and kept thy covenant.
INT: your word your covenantand kept

2 Kings 17:9
HEB:עָ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם מִמִּגְדַּ֥ל נוֹצְרִ֖ים עַד־ עִ֥יר
KJV: from the towerof the watchmen to the fenced
INT: their towns watchtowerof the watchmen against city

2 Kings 18:8
HEB:גְּבוּלֶ֑יהָ מִמִּגְדַּ֥ל נוֹצְרִ֖ים עַד־ עִ֥יר
KJV: thereof, from the towerof the watchmen to the fenced
INT: territory watchtowerof the watchmen far city

Job 7:20
HEB:אֶפְעַ֨ל ׀ לָךְ֮ נֹצֵ֪ר הָאָ֫דָ֥ם לָ֤מָה
NAS: have I doneto You, O watcher of men?
KJV: what shall I dounto thee, O thou preserver of men?
INT: have I donewatcher man have You

Job 27:18
HEB:וּ֝כְסֻכָּ֗ה עָשָׂ֥ה נֹצֵֽר׃
NAS: like the spider's web, Or as a hut[which] the watchman has made.
KJV: and as a booth[that] the keeper maketh.
INT: A hut has madethe watchman

Psalm 12:7
HEB:יְהוָ֥ה תִּשְׁמְרֵ֑ם תִּצְּרֶ֓נּוּ ׀ מִן־ הַדּ֖וֹר
NAS: will keepthem; You will preserve him from this
KJV: them, O LORD,thou shalt preserve them from this
INT: LORD will keepwill preserve at generation

Psalm 25:10
HEB:חֶ֣סֶד וֶאֱמֶ֑ת לְנֹצְרֵ֥י בְ֝רִית֗וֹ וְעֵדֹתָֽיו׃
NAS: and truthTo those who keep His covenant
KJV: and truthunto such as keep his covenant
INT: are lovingkindness and truthkeep his covenant and his testimonies

Psalm 25:21
HEB:תֹּם־ וָיֹ֥שֶׁר יִצְּר֑וּנִי כִּ֝֗י קִוִּיתִֽיךָ׃
NAS: and uprightnesspreserve me, For I wait
KJV: and uprightnesspreserve me; for I wait
INT: integrity and uprightnesspreserve for wait

Psalm 31:23
HEB:חֲסִ֫ידָ֥יו אֱ֭מוּנִים נֹצֵ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה וּמְשַׁלֵּ֥ם
NAS: The LORDpreserves the faithful
KJV: [for] the LORDpreserveth the faithful,
INT: his godly the faithfulpreserves the LORD recompenses

Psalm 32:7
HEB:לִי֮ מִצַּ֪ר תִּ֫צְּרֵ֥נִי רָנֵּ֥י פַלֵּ֑ט
NAS: You are my hiding place;You preserve me from trouble;
KJV: Thou [art] my hiding place;thou shalt preserve me from trouble;
INT: are my hiding troublepreserve songs of deliverance

Psalm 34:13
HEB: נְצֹ֣ר לְשׁוֹנְךָ֣ מֵרָ֑ע
NAS:Keep your tongue from evil
KJV:Keep thy tongue from evil,
INT:Keep your tongue evil

Psalm 40:11
HEB:וַ֝אֲמִתְּךָ֗ תָּמִ֥יד יִצְּרֽוּנִי׃
NAS: will continuallypreserve me.
KJV: and thy truth continuallypreserve me.
INT: and your truth will continuallypreserve

Psalm 61:7
HEB:וֶ֝אֱמֶ֗ת מַ֣ן יִנְצְרֻֽהוּ׃
NAS: and truththat they may preserve him.
KJV: and truth,[which] may preserve him.
INT: and truth Appointmay preserve

Psalm 64:1
HEB:מִפַּ֥חַד א֝וֹיֵ֗ב תִּצֹּ֥ר חַיָּֽי׃
NAS: in my complaint;Preserve my life
KJV: in my prayer:preserve my life
INT: dread of the enemyPreserve my life

Psalm 78:7
HEB:אֵ֑ל וּמִצְוֹתָ֥יו יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃
NAS: of God,But keep His commandments,
KJV: of God,but keep his commandments:
INT: of God his commandmentskeep

Psalm 105:45
HEB:חֻ֭קָּיו וְתוֹרֹתָ֥יו יִנְצֹ֗רוּ הַֽלְלוּ־ יָֽהּ׃
NAS: His statutesAnd observe His laws,
KJV: his statutes,and keep his laws.
INT: his statutes his lawsand observe Praise the LORD

Psalm 119:2
HEB: אַ֭שְׁרֵי נֹצְרֵ֥י עֵדֹתָ֗יו בְּכָל־
NAS: How blessedare those who observe His testimonies,
KJV: Blessed[are] they that keep his testimonies,
INT: blessedobserve his testimonies all

Psalm 119:22
HEB:כִּ֖י עֵדֹתֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃
NAS: and contemptfrom me, For I observe Your testimonies.
KJV: and contempt;for I have kept thy testimonies.
INT: for your testimoniesobserve

Psalm 119:33
HEB:דֶּ֥רֶךְ חֻקֶּ֗יךָ וְאֶצְּרֶ֥נָּה עֵֽקֶב׃
NAS: of Your statutes,And I shall observe it to the end.
KJV: of thy statutes;and I shall keep it [unto] the end.
INT: the way of your statutesshall observe to the end

Psalm 119:34
HEB: הֲ֭בִינֵנִי וְאֶצְּרָ֥ה תֽוֹרָתֶ֗ךָ וְאֶשְׁמְרֶ֥נָּה
NAS: Give me understanding,that I may observe Your law
KJV: Give me understanding,and I shall keep thy law;
INT: Givemay observe your law and keep

Psalm 119:56
HEB:כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃
NAS: has becomemine, That I observe Your precepts.
KJV:This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
INT: for your preceptsobserve

Psalm 119:69
HEB:בְּכָל־ לֵ֤ב ׀ אֱצֹּ֬ר פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃
NAS: [my] heartI will observe Your precepts.
KJV: a lieagainst me: [but] I will keep thy precepts
INT: all heartwill observe your precepts

Psalm 119:100
HEB:כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃
NAS: BecauseI have observed Your precepts.
KJV: more than the ancients,because I keep thy precepts.
INT: Because your preceptshave observed

61 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5341
61 Occurrences

’ĕṣ·ṣōr — 1 Occ.
’eṣ·ṣō·rāh — 1 Occ.
’eṣ·ṣo·ren·nāh — 1 Occ.
lə·nō·ṣə·rê — 1 Occ.
lin·ṣōr — 1 Occ.
nā·ṣā·rə·tî — 3 Occ.
nā·ṣə·rū — 1 Occ.
nā·ṣō·wr — 1 Occ.
nə·ṣā·rā·ṯam — 1 Occ.
nə·ṣōr — 4 Occ.
nə·ṣū·rāh — 1 Occ.
niṣ·ṣə·rāh — 1 Occ.
niṣ·ṣə·re·hā — 1 Occ.
nō·ṣêr — 8 Occ.
nō·ṣə·rāh — 1 Occ.
nō·ṣə·rê — 1 Occ.
nō·ṣə·rîm — 2 Occ.
nō·wṣ·rîm — 2 Occ.
ṯin·ṣə·rek·kāh — 1 Occ.
tin·ṣə·rê·nî — 2 Occ.
tiṣ·ṣə·rê·nî — 1 Occ.
tiṣ·ṣə·ren·nū — 1 Occ.
tiṣ·ṣōr — 3 Occ.
ū·nə·ṣu·raṯ — 1 Occ.
ū·nə·ṣu·rō·wṯ — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇan·nə·ṣū·rîm — 1 Occ.
wə·’eṣ·ṣā·rə·ḵā — 2 Occ.
wə·’eṣ·ṣə·rāh — 2 Occ.
wə·’eṣ·ṣə·ren·nāh — 1 Occ.
wə·han·nā·ṣūr — 1 Occ.
wə·nō·ṣêr — 1 Occ.
wə·ṯiṣ·ṣə·re·kā — 1 Occ.
yin·ṣə·ru·hū — 1 Occ.
yin·ṣō·rū — 4 Occ.
yiṣ·ṣə·ren·hū — 1 Occ.
yiṣ·ṣə·rū- — 1 Occ.
yiṣ·ṣə·rū·nî — 2 Occ.
yiṣ·ṣōr — 1 Occ.