נָצַר
To guard , in a good sense (to protect , maintain , obey , etc.) or a bad one (to conceal , etc.)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does נָצַר (natsar) mean in the Bible?
נָצַר (natsar) is a Hebrew word meaning "to guard , in a good sense (to protect , maintain , obey , etc.) or a bad one (to conceal , etc.)". to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc. The command emphasizes vigilant protection of one's inner life.
Meaning
Protective vigilance that ranges from righteous obedience to God's law to concealment and deception
to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.) BDB: watch Usage: besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).
Why This Word Matters
The command emphasizes vigilant protection of one's inner life. Proverbs 4:20-27
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 35×
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Old Testament Witnesses
Showing 8 of 63 occurrences in the biblical text.