Lexical Summary
nasiy': Prince, leader, chief, ruler
Original Word:נָשִׂיא
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:nasiy'
Pronunciation:naw-see'
Phonetic Spelling:(naw-see')
KJV: captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour
Word Origin:[fromH5375 (נָשָׂא נָסָה - lifted)]
1. (properly) an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik
2. also a rising mist
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapor
Or nasi' {naw-see'}; fromnasa'; properly, an exalted one, i.e. A king or sheik; also a rising mist -- captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour.
see HEBREW#NAME?
see HEBREWnasa'
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I.
128 , i.e. a chief prince; — absolute
Exodus 22:27 +; construct
Genesis 23:6 +; plural
Joshua 22:32 +,
Joshua 22:32 +,
Exodus 34:31 7t.,
Genesis 17:20 3t.,
Exodus 35:27; construct
Exodus 16:22 +; suffix
Ezekiel 45:8,
Ezekiel 32:29,
Numbers 17:21,
Numbers 17:17, etc.; — mostly in Israel:
of any chief man,Exodus 22:27 (E; human ruler, over against ).
1 Kings 11:34. Elsewhere only Ezekiel, P, Chronicles: —
of AbrahamGenesis 23:6, and heads of Ishmaelite tribesGenesis 17:20;Genesis 25:16.
,Exodus 16:22;Joshua 9:15,18;Joshua 22:30,Exodus 34:31, compareExodus 35:27;Leviticus 4:22;Joshua 9:18b;Joshua 9:19,21 (twice in verse);Joshua 17:4;Joshua 22:14 (3 t. in verse);Joshua 22:32 (all P); especially
, according to the religious organization of P,Numbers 1:16,44;Numbers 2:3 57t. Numbers (especially chapters 2, 7, 34; noteNumbers 3:32); compare1 Chronicles 2:10;1 Chronicles 4:38;1 Chronicles 5:6;1 Chronicles 7:40; 2Chronicles 1:2, also1 Kings 8:1 (probably gloss, omitted by Benz), 2 Chronicles 5:2.
in Ezekiel:
(for see Böhmer8K 1900, 112 ff.),Ezekiel 7:27;Ezekiel 12:10,12;Ezekiel 21:30, +Ezekiel 19:1 (read singular Ew Hi Co Berthol Toy).
Ezekiel 21:17;Ezekiel 22:6;Ezekiel 45:8,9.
Ezekiel 34:24;Ezekiel 37:25, compareEzekiel 44:3 (twice in verse) + 16 t.Ezekiel 45, 46, 48.
Ezekiel 26:16;Ezekiel 27:21;Ezekiel 30:13;Ezekiel 32:29;Ezekiel 38:2,3;Ezekiel 39:1,18.
Ezra 1:8.
in P:Genesis 34:2;Numbers 25:18;Joshua 13:21.
II. [] (Arabic
,
); — only pluralvapours, forming clouds, and portending rain,Jeremiah 10:13 =Jeremiah 51:16,Psalm 135:7,Proverbs 25:14.
Topical Lexicon
Range of Meaning and Semantic Profileנָשִׂיא (nasi) designates one who is lifted up, carrying the ideas of exaltation and representative leadership. Context determines nuance: patriarchal chief, tribal head, civil ruler, military commander, or royal heir. Though frequently translated “prince,” it often functions more like “chieftain” or “governor,” describing the highest-ranking human authority beneath the direct rule of God.
Patriarchal and Clan Chiefs in Genesis
The first appearances portray hereditary clan leaders among the peoples surrounding Israel. Ishmael’s twelve sons are foretold as “twelve princes” (Genesis 17:20). The term dominates the genealogies of Esau, where each Edomite clan head is styled nasi (Genesis 36:15–43). These passages show the title as a marker of social prominence rather than dynastic kingship, paralleling the early patriarchal structure in Israel.
Tribal Leaders in the Sinai Wilderness
At Sinai nasi becomes Israel’s formal designation for the head of each tribe. Moses is instructed, “Take a census… with you shall be a man from each tribe, the head of his father’s household” (Numbers 1:4–16). These leaders:
• Conduct the census (Numbers 1–2)
• Assist in administration and camp ordering (Numbers 2:3–29)
• Present the inaugural offerings for the altar: “Then the leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar” (Numbers 7:10).
• Oversee inheritances (Numbers 34:16–29).
Their prominence underscores shared but delegated authority; Yahweh rules Israel, Moses mediates, and the nasi implement.
Civil and Military Rulers in the Monarchy
In the settled land the title broadens to civic governors under the king. The heads of tribes remain (1 Chronicles 27:16–22), military chiefs bear it (2 Chronicles 32:21), and even the king can be called nasi, as in “He shall be prince among them” (Ezekiel 12:10) when Ezekiel refers to Zedekiah. Post-monarchical usage for Persian-appointed governors (e.g.,Nehemiah 3:17) demonstrates its flexibility across political structures.
Sacrificial and Liturgical Duties
Leviticus singles out a nasi in the sin-offering legislation: “When a leader sins unintentionally and incurs guilt… he must bring his offering” (Leviticus 4:22–26). His guilt is personal yet representative, necessitating public atonement. In Ezekiel’s temple vision the prince funds communal feasts—“On that day the prince is to provide a bull as a sin offering for himself and for all the people of the land” (Ezekiel 45:22)—showing ongoing responsibility for spiritual welfare.
Legal Accountability and Covenant Liability
While honored, the nasi is never above the law. Princes are rebuked for oppression (Isaiah 3:14;Micah 7:3), violence (Hosea 5:10), and conspiracy (Ezekiel 22:6–27). The Torah even foresees discipline: “You shall not curse a ruler of your people” (Exodus 22:28)—affirming respect—yet also demands impartial justice (Numbers 35:25). Scripture thus balances honor with accountability.
Prophetic Condemnation and Promise
Prophets decry corrupt princes, but equally announce a righteous prince. Ezekiel contrasts past abuse (Ezekiel 22:27) with future restoration: “I will place over them one shepherd, My servant David… he will be their prince forever” (Ezekiel 37:24-25). The promised nasi embodies covenant ideals—humble, just, and servant-hearted.
Messianic Foreshadowing: The Future Prince
Ezekiel 40–48 highlights a mysterious prince who worships, administers inheritances, and mediates offerings yet never usurps priestly or divine prerogatives. Christian theology sees in this figure a typological anticipation of Jesus Christ: the exalted but obedient ruler who leads God’s people in holiness. Although the word nasi is not used inIsaiah 9:6, the concept informs the expectation of the coming King-Prince of Peace.
Nasi in Post-Exilic Community
After exile, the title surfaces in Persian Yehud. Zerubbabel is called “governor,” but the chronicler also remembers him as nasi (Haggai 1:1 compared with1 Chronicles 3:19). Nehemiah, likewise a governor, exercises nasi-like authority in rebuilding walls, instituting reforms, and reading the Law (Nehemiah 8). The office thus persists as a socio-religious leadership role even without a native monarchy.
Theological and Ministry Implications
1. Representative Headship: As nasi bore tribal identity before God, Christian leaders represent congregations in intercessory prayer and stewardship (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
2. Servant Authority: The prince funds worship and guards equity, modeling Christ-like leadership that serves rather than exploits (Mark 10:42-45).
3. Accountability: No ruler is above divine law; holiness and justice remain essential qualifications (Titus 1:7-8).
4. Hope of Perfect Rule: The shortcomings of earthly princes direct hope toward the ultimate Nasi, the Messiah, whose reign secures perpetual peace and righteousness (Revelation 11:15).
Thus נָשִׂיא weaves through Scripture as a multifaceted portrait of leadership—fallen and finite in human hands, yet finding its consummate expression in the Prince who reigns forever.
Forms and Transliterations
הַנְּשִׂאִ֔ים הַנְּשִׂאִ֖ים הַנְּשִׂאִ֗ים הַנְּשִׂיאִ֑ים הַנְּשִׂיאִ֔ים הַנְּשִׂיאִ֖ים הַנְּשִׂיאִ֖ם הַנְּשִׂיאִ֛ם הַנְּשִׂיאִֽים׃ הַנְּשִׂיאִים֙ הַנָּשִׂ֑יא הַנָּשִׂ֖יא הַנָּשִׂ֗יא הַנָּשִׂ֜יא הַנָּשִׂ֞יא הַנָּשִׂ֡יא הַנָּשִׂ֣יא הַנָּשִׂ֤יא הַנָּשִׂ֨יא הַנָּשִׂיא֙ הנשאים הנשיא הנשיאים הנשיאים׃ הנשיאם וְֽהַנָּשִׂ֑יא וְהַנְּשִׂאִ֣ם וְהַנְּשִׂיאִ֡ים וְהַנָּשִׂ֨יא וְלַנָּשִׂ֡יא וְנָשִׂ֥יא וְנָשִׂיא֙ וּנְשִׂ֤יא וּנְשִׂ֥יא וּנְשִׂיא֙ וּנְשִׂיאֵ֣י וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥י וּנְשִׂיאֵ֨י והנשאם והנשיא והנשיאים ולנשיא ונשיא ונשיאי לְנָשִׂ֤יא לְנָשִׂ֨יא לַנָּשִׂ֑יא לַנָּשִׂ֖יא לַנָּשִׂ֣יא לנשיא נְשִֽׂיאֵהֶם֙ נְשִֽׂיאֵיהֶ֡ם נְשִׂ֕יא נְשִׂ֖יא נְשִׂ֣יא נְשִׂ֤יא נְשִׂ֥יא נְשִׂ֨יא נְשִׂאִ֖ים נְשִׂאִים֙ נְשִׂאִים֮ נְשִׂיאִ֖ים נְשִׂיאִ֖ם נְשִׂיאִ֣ים נְשִׂיאִם֙ נְשִׂיאֵ֖י נְשִׂיאֵ֣י נְשִׂיאֵ֥י נְשִׂיאֵ֧י נְשִׂיאֵ֨י נְשִׂיאֶ֔יהָ נְשִׂיאַי֙ נָ֥שִׂיא נָשִׂ֑יא נָשִׂ֖יא נָשִׂ֣יא נָשִׂ֤יא נָשִׂ֥יא נָשִׂ֨יא נשאים נשיא נשיאהם נשיאי נשיאיה נשיאיהם נשיאים נשיאם han·nā·śî han·nə·śi·’îm han·nə·śî·’im han·nə·śî·’îm hannaSi hannāśî hannəśi’îm hannəśî’im hannəśî’îm hannesiIm lan·nā·śî lannaSi lannāśî lə·nā·śî lenaSi lənāśî nā·śî naSi nāśî nə·śî nə·śî·’ay nə·śî·’ê nə·śî·’e·hā nə·śî·’ê·hem nə·śi·’îm nə·śî·’im nə·śî·’îm neSi nəśî nəśî’ay nəśî’ê nəśî’ehā nəśî’êhem nəśi’îm nəśî’im nəśî’îm nesiAi nesieHem nesiEi nesiEiha nesieiHem nesiIm ū·nə·śî ū·nə·śî·’ê uneSi ūnəśî ūnəśî’ê unesiEi vehannaSi vehannesiIm velannaSi venaSi wə·han·nā·śî wə·han·nə·śi·’im wə·han·nə·śî·’îm wə·lan·nā·śî wə·nā·śî wəhannāśî wəhannəśi’im wəhannəśî’îm wəlannāśî wənāśî
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