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Naaman

Syrian noble cured of leprosy by Elisha (2 Kgs. 6; Luke 4: 27). He came to Elisha at the suggestion of a little Hebrew maid, captured in war (2 Kgs. 5: 2-3). He was ordered to bathe seven times in the Jordan, which, after some hesitation, he did, and was cured. He showed his gratitude by returning to Samaria, a distance of 30 miles, to thank Elisha. The prophet refused to accept any payment, and his servant Gehazi was punished for taking Naaman’s present. Naaman took with him to Syria two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kgs. 5: 17), on which he intended to erect an altar to Jehovah. He did this because he believed that the God of Israel could only be worshipped on Israelitish soil.

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Naboth

The Jezreelite, murdered by Ahab for his vineyard (1 Kgs. 21); avenged (2 Kgs. 9: 21, 25-26).

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Nadab

Liberal

(1) Eldest son of Aaron (Ex. 6: 23; Num. 3: 2); struck dead for offering “strange” fire, i.e.,not taken from the altar (Lev. 10: 1; Num. 3: 4; Num. 26: 61; 1 Chr. 24: 2).

(2) 1 Chr. 2: 28, 30 .

(3) 1 Chr. 8: 30 ; 1 Chr. 9: 36 .

(4) King of Israel (1 Kgs. 14: 20 ; 1 Kgs. 15: 25, 31 ); killed by Baasha (1 Kgs. 15: 27 ).

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Nahor

(1) Father of Terah (Gen. 11: 24; 1 Chr. 1: 26; Luke 3: 34).

(2) Son of Terah and grandfather of Rebekah (Gen. 11: 26-29 ; Gen. 22: 20, 23 ; Gen. 24: 10, 15, 24, 47 ; Gen. 29: 5 ; Gen. 31: 53 ; Josh. 24: 2 ).

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Nahum

Consoler.

(1) The prophet; native of Elkosh in Galilee. He prophesied against Nineveh: ch. 1, the manifestation of the avenging God, executing judgment on the oppressors of his people; ch. 2, a picture of the city’s fall; ch. 3, the city denounced as a harlot and enchantress. The prophecy has great literary beauty and much patriotic feeling. Nahum makes no allusion to the sin of his own people. The prophecy was probably written between the fall of Nineveh, 606 B.C., and that of No Amon (Nahum 3: 8) or Thebes, in Upper Egypt, taken by Assurbanipal about 660 B.C. The occasion of the prophecy may have been some recent aggression of Assyria, or more probably some powerful coalition against Nineveh either that before which it actually fell, or an earlier one that prompted the prophet to express his certainty of the city’s doom (Nahum 2: 1; Nahum 3: 12).

(2) Luke 3: 25 .

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Nain

In the tribe of Issachar, on the western slope of Little Hermon, near Endor, and about 25 miles from Capernaum (Luke 7: 11).

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Names of persons

The numerous passages of holy scripture in which reasons are given for bestowing a particular name on any person show that the Hebrews attached great importance to the meanings of their names (cf. Gen. 17: 5, 15, 19; Gen. 21: 3, 5; Gen. 30). In the O.T. special reverence is paid to the name of God, as representing his person and character. In many cases a Hebrew personal name was composed of (1) one of the names or titles of God, (2) a verb or adjective, forming together a simple sentence, such as Azar-iah, the Lord hath helped. Two names of God are chiefly used in this way: (1) El, which is found as El-, Eli-, at the beginning of a word, or as -el, -eel, -iel at the end of it; and (2) Jah, which is found as Jo-, Jeho-, at the beginning, or as -iah, -jah, -ia at the end. (The three terminations -iah, -jah, -ia, should all be pronounced yah, one syllable, not two.) Thus, from the name Nathan (= He has given) are formed the four names Elnathan, Nathaniel, Jonathan, Nethaniah, all of which mean God or the Lord gives (or has given). The frequent use of “nathan,” to give, “hanan,” to graciously bestow, and other words of similar meaning, in composition with the names of God, throws light on the view taken by the Israelite as to God’s providential care of the household.

The use of Baal as part of a name deserves notice. At one time this name could be applied to Jehovah himself (see Hosea 2: 16 ); so it was not infrequently used as part of a Hebrew name, e.g., Baaliah. But when it became associated with idolatrous worship its use was given up, and names of which it formed part were frequently changed, bosheth (= shame, cf. Jer. 11: 13 ; Hosea 9: 10 ) being substituted for baal. Thus Eshbaal became Ishbosheth, and Jerubaal became Jerubbesheth.

From the time the Jews came under Greek influences it was not at all unusual for a man to adopt a Greek name in addition to his Jewish one; e.g., Cephas and Peter both mean a rock, the one being Aramaic and the other Greek. Latin names were also freely adopted, e.g., Paulus, Lucanus, Silvanus, Justus, Niger, etc. We have no reference in the N.T. to the giving of a name at baptism, but such a custom arose out of the Jewish custom of giving a name at circumcision (in N.T. times, Luke 1: 59 ; Luke 2: 21 , there being no reference to it in the O.T. except in Gen. 17: 5-12 ).

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Naomi

Pleasant.

Mother-in-law of Ruth ( Ruth 1 - 4).

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Naphtali

Wrestlings.

Fifth son of Jacob, and second child of Bilhah, Rachel’s slave (Gen. 30: 8); his four sons (Gen. 46: 24; Ex. 1: 4; 1 Chr. 7: 13); the blessing on the tribe (Gen. 49: 21; Deut. 33: 23); land of Naphtali (Josh. 19: 32-39). Barak of Kedesh-Naphtali was the one man of not belonging to the tribe (Judg. 4: 6; cf. Judg. 5: 15-18). The history of the tribe ends with the captivity under Tiglath-pileser, but see Isa. 9: 1; Ezek. 48: 3-4, 34; Matt. 4: 15; Rev. 7: 6.

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Nathan

He has given.

(1) Son of David and Bathsheba (2 Sam. 5: 14; 1 Chr. 3: 5; 1 Chr. 14: 4; Zech. 12: 12; Luke 3: 31).

(2) The prophet, forbids David to build a temple (2 Sam. 7 ; 1 Chr. 17: 1-15 ); rebukes him about Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12 ; Ps. 51 , title); anoints Solomon (1 Kgs. 1: 38-39 ; see also 2 Chr. 9: 29 ; 2 Chr. 29: 25 ; D&C 132: 39 ).

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Nathanael

God has given.

His friendship with Philip and call to be a disciple are found in John 1: 45-51; see also John 21: 2, where we learn that he belonged to Cana in Galilee. He is generally identified with Bartholomew, on the ground that Nathanael is always mentioned along with apostles, as though of apostolic rank, and that whereas the Synoptists (Matt. 10: 3; Mark 3: 18; Luke 6: 14) mention Bartholomew (associating him with Philip) and never Nathanael, John mentions Nathanael and never Bartholomew.

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Nazarene

Belonging to Nazareth.

Used of Jesus (Matt. 2: 23). Christians were called the “sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24: 5).

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Nazareth

Early home of Jesus (Matt. 2: 23; Matt. 4: 13; Luke 1: 26; Luke 2: 4, 39; Luke 4: 16). The village lies in a hollow among the hills of the Sea of Galilee, just above the Plain of Esdraelon, and near several of the main roads of Palestine. It was in the synagogue at Nazareth that the Lord declared himself to be the fulfiller of the prophecy in Isa. 61: 1-2. See Luke 4: 16-30; cf. Mark 6: 1; Matt. 13: 54. After his rejection on that occasion the Lord does not appear ever to have visited the place again.

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Nazarite

A consecrated man.

A man under a vow to abstain from wine, from any cutting of the hair, and any contact with the dead (Judg. 13: 5; Judg. 16: 17; 1 Sam. 1: 11; Amos 2: 11, 12; for full regulations see Num. 6). The vow might be lifelong, or for a short, definite period.

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Nebo (1)

A group of hills west of Heshbon, in the land of Moab, afterwards the country of Reuben; they overlook the Jordan, with mounts Gerizim, Tabor, and Hermon in the far distance. It was from this hill that Moses viewed the promised land before his death (Deut. 32: 49; Deut. 34: 1).

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Nebo (2)

Babylonian god of wisdom, being regarded as the son of Bel-Merodach, the patron god of Babylon (Isa. 46: 1).

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Nebuchadnezzar or Nabu-kudur-usur

Nebo, protect the crown! (or, the landmark).

The great king of Babylon (604-561 B.C.), son of Nabopolassar, the founder of the empire (see Assyria); defeats Necho, king of Egypt, at Carchemish and drives the Egyptians from Syria (Jer. 46: 2-12); subdues Judah (2 Kgs. 24: 1); besieges Jerusalem (2 Kgs. 24: 10-11), and takes it, carrying away the king and the people (2 Kgs. 25: 1, 8, 22; 1 Chr. 6: 15; 2 Chr. 36; Ezra 1: 7; Ezra 2: 1; Ezra 5: 12, 14; Ezra 6: 5; Neh. 7: 6; Esth. 2: 6; Jer. 27: 6, 8, 20; Jer. 28: 3, 11, 14; Jer. 29: 1, 3; Jer. 34: 1; Jer. 39: 5). For his relations with Daniel, by whom his dreams were interpreted, see Dan. 1 - 5. He was for a time smitten with madness, and on his recovery acknowledged God’s power and goodness.

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Necho

King of Egypt who conquered and slew Josiah at Megiddo (2 Kgs. 23: 29), but was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 46: 2; 2 Chr. 35: 20, 22; 2 Chr. 36: 4); called Pharaoh-Necho (2 Kgs. 23: 29-35; Jer. 46: 2).

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Negeb

Dry or parched land, also called “south country”; the district stretching southward from the hills of Judah toward the desert.

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Nehemiah

Comfort of the Lord.

(1) A Jew (either a Levite or of tribe of Judah) who held the important office of “cupbearer” at court of Artaxerxes, from whom he obtained a royal commission authorizing him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The book of Nehemiah (which is a continuation of Ezra, the two being regarded by the Jews as forming one book) contains an account of the progress and difficulties of the work and its final completion. The book divides into four parts: (a) Neh. 1: 1 - 7: 73, Nehemiah’s first visit to Jerusalem, and the rebuilding of the walls in spite of much opposition; (b) Neh. 7: 73 - 10: 39, religious and social reforms; (c) Neh. 11: 1 - 13: 3, lists of names, and account of the dedication of the wall; (d) Neh. 13: 4-31, Nehemiah’s second visit after 12 years’ absence, and his further reforms.

(2) Ezra 2: 2 = Neh. 7: 7 .

(3) Neh. 3: 16 .

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Nergal-sharezer

Nergal protect the king!

Accompanied Nebuchadnezzar to Jerusalem, holding the office of Rab-mag (i.e., chief of the magi) (Jer. 39: 3, 13). He is probably to be identified with the man of the same name who afterwards became king of Babylonia and is known in classical literature as Neriglissar.

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New Moon

The law appointed that at the new moon special sacrifices should be offered (Num. 10; 10; see also 1 Sam. 20: 5-6, 29; 2 Kgs. 4: 23; Amos. 8: 5). The prophets often speak of “new moons” along with “Sabbaths.” As the days for all Jewish feasts were reckoned by the moon, the exact time of the appearance of the new moon was of great importance. Watchers were placed on the hills around Jerusalem, and watchfires on the hilltops told the news to distant cities. It is said that the Samaritans, in order to cause confusion, lighted fires on their hills at wrong times.

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New Testament

See Bible; Canon.

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Nicodemus

A “ruler of the Jews,” i.e., member of the Sanhedrin; comes to Jesus by night (John 3); defends him to the Pharisees (John 7: 50); brings spices to his burial (John 19: 39).

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Nicolaitans

An Antinomian sect in Asia Minor that claimed license for sensual sin (Rev. 2: 6, 15).

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Nicolas

A proselyte of Antioch, one of the seven (Acts 6: 5).

See Proselytes .

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Nile

Isa. 19: 7-8 ; Isa. 23: 3, 10 ; Jer. 46: 7-8 ; Zech. 10: 11 . KJV has river(s), except in Isa., where it has brooks. The Nile was the sacred river of Egypt, frequently mentioned in the account of the Israelites’ sojourn there. There being practically no rain in Egypt, the land on either bank is dependent upon the annual flood for water, and the failure of this always causes famine.

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Nimrod

Son of Cush, grandson of Ham; the Babylonian hunter and traditional builder of Nineveh (Gen. 10: 8-9; 1 Chr. 1: 10). See also Micah 5: 6, where Assyria is called “land of Nimrod.”

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Nineveh

Capital of Assyria on the eastern bank of the Tigris, its traditional founder being Nimrod, the great hunter (Gen. 10: 11-12). For several centuries Calah outstripped it in importance, but under Sennacherib it again became the capital (2 Kgs. 19: 36; Isa. 37: 37). It was for more than 200 years a great commercial center, and also contained a large library of clay books. The city fell at the downfall of the Assyrian empire, 606 B.C. See Assyria. (2 Kgs. 19: 36 = Isa. 37: 37.) For prophecies concerning Nineveh, see Jonah 1: 2; Jonah 3: 2-7; Zeph. 2: 13. Repentant Nineveh, a sign to the Jews (Matt. 12: 41 = Luke 11: 32). Its ruins have been carefully explored, and many important sculptures and inscriptions have been brought to light.

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Nisan

Babylonian name of the first month (Neh. 2: 1; Esth. 3: 7); anciently called Abib.

See Calendar .

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Nisroch

An Assyrian god in whose temple at Nineveh Sennacherib was slain (2 Kgs. 19: 37; Isa. 37: 38); he was the moon-god, or the name may mean “one who hears.”

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No

I.e., Thebes. Capital of Upper Egypt, taken by Assurbanipal about 660 B.C. (Nahum 3: 8).

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Noah

Rest.

The patriarch; son of Lamech (Gen. 5: 29-32). When he was 10 years old, Noah was ordained to the priesthood by Methuselah (D&C 107: 52). He became a preacher of righteousness and declared the gospel of Jesus Christ, even as Enoch, teaching faith, repentance, baptism, and the reception of the Holy Ghost (2 Pet. 2: 5; Moses 8: 19, 23-24). His life was sought by unbelievers, but he was preserved by the power of God (Moses 8: 18, 26). He and his sons Japheth, Shem, and Ham, and their wives, making eight in all, were saved from the flood by the ark they had built at the command of God (Gen. 6 - 8; Heb. 11: 7; 1 Pet. 3: 20). We learn from latter-day revelation that Noah is also the angel Gabriel (HC 3: 386).

The Lord’s covenant with Noah affirmed that the earth would never be covered with a flood again (Gen. 9: 1-17 ; cf. Moses 7: 49-52 ). Noah, a righteous man, holds the keys of a dispensation and stands next to Adam in authority (HC 3: 386). Other references to Noah are Isa. 54: 9 ; Ezek. 14: 14, 20 ; Matt. 24: 37-38 ; Luke 3: 36 ; Luke 17: 26-27 .

The tradition of a great flood is found in nearly every ancient culture. A Babylonian account closely resembles the record in the Bible, but the biblical account differs from all others in its religious value and the purpose of it. The scriptural account teaches that the flood was sent to cleanse the earth because of the wickedness of the people. Noah and his family were saved because they were righteous (Gen. 6: 9 ; Moses 8: 27 ). The authenticity of the Genesis account of the flood is confirmed by latter-day revelation as recorded in Moses 7: 34, 42-43 ; Moses 8: 8-30 . Cf. Ether 13: 2 .

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Nob

Priestly city in Benjamin, north of Jerusalem, one of the places where the tabernacle stood before the building of the temple (1 Sam. 21: 1; 1 Sam. 22: 9, 11, 19; Neh. 11: 32; Isa. 10: 32).

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Noph

I.e., Memphis; ancient capital of Egypt (Isa. 19: 13; Jer. 2: 16; Jer. 44: 1; Jer. 46: 14, 19; Ezek. 30: 13, 16; cf. Hosea 9: 6).

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Numbers

The book that bears this name is so called from the double numbering or census of the people (chs. 1 - 4; 26). It contains notices of events in the wilderness, more especially in the second year after the exodus, and at the close of the wandering, interspersed with legislation. (1) Num. 1: 1 - 10: 10: preparation for departure from Sinai. (2) Num. 10: 11 - 14: 45: march from Sinai to borders of Canaan; the sending of the spies and their report; the refusal to enter Canaan, and God’s punishment for disobedience. (3) Num. 15: 1 - 19: 22: various laws and historical notices. (4) Num. 20: 1 - 36: 13: the history of the last year in the wilderness from the second arrival of the Israelites in Kadesh till they reach “the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.” The book is remarkable for the number of fragments of ancient poetry preserved in it (Num. 6: 24-26; Num. 10: 35-36; Num. 21: 14-15, 17-18, 27-30).

See also Pentateuch .