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Abarim Publications' Biblical Dictionary: The Old Testament Hebrew word: נא

Source: https://www.abarim-publications.com/Dictionary/n/n-a.html

נא

Abarim Publications' online Biblical Hebrew Dictionary

נא

The particle נא (na') is the common Hebrew particle of entreaty: please! At times it's also used admonishingly or even exhortatory.

This particle shows up tied to all kinds of verbs:

  • אמרי־נא (amari-na'), literally meaning speak please, or simply: say! (Genesis 12:13).
  • שא־נא (sa'na'), meaning lift please (your eyes; look! - Genesis 13:14).
  • השמרי־נא (hashmari-na), meaning watch out please!

Its famous connection to the verb ישע (yasha), meaning to save, occurs only once: in Psalm 118:25, and that's where the word הושיעה נא (hoshi'a na) or Hosanna comes from.

Note that the feminine plural imperative of a verb is formed by adding נה (na) to it. A feminine plural imperative would be used when addressing multiple groups or families, which is what the economic world consists of (Genesis 10:5), rather than multiple individuals.


Associated Biblical names