The Hebrew nahal (H5095) means to lead or guide to a place of rest and refreshment β it carries the sense of tender, careful shepherding. In Psalm 23:2, 'he leads me beside quiet waters' uses a related concept; the verb itself appears in Isaiah 40:11: 'He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads (nahal) those that have young.' In Exodus 15:13, God 'guides' (nahal) His redeemed people to His holy dwelling.
Nahal is the shepherd-guide word par excellence. It is not the driving of cattle but the gentle leading of lambs and nursing mothers β the kind of guidance that adjusts its pace to the weakest member of the flock. This is the God of the exodus: not a general commanding troops at forced march, but a shepherd carrying lambs and guiding the weak with care. The NT fulfillment is the Good Shepherd who 'calls his own sheep by name and leads (agei) them out' (John 10:3) and lays down his life for them.