The Hebrew verb nāgaʿ (נָגַע) means to touch, reach, strike, or make contact. Used approximately 150 times in the Old Testament, it describes physical contact with persons, objects, and holy things. It also describes being 'struck' by disease, calamity, or divine judgment. The word spans a wide range from gentle touch to violent striking.
In the Levitical system, nāgaʿ is critical to the theology of ritual purity — touching an unclean thing conveyed impurity (Leviticus 5:3). Yet paradoxically, divine touch conveys blessing and calling: an angel touched the lips of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:7), and God touched Jeremiah's mouth (Jeremiah 1:9). The Servant of Isaiah is 'stricken' (nāgaʿ) by God for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:4), using the same word. Jesus' healing ministry reversed this dynamic — His touch cleanses rather than defiles.