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H5125 · Hebrew · Old Testament
נוּחַ
nuach
Verb
to rest, settle, be at rest, cause to rest

Definition

Nuach (נוּחַ) means to rest, to settle down, to be still, or to cause something to rest. It appears over 70 times and is fundamental to the biblical theology of rest (menucha). From the Sabbath rest of creation to the promised land as a place of rest to the eschatological rest of Hebrews — nuach traces the entire redemptive arc. Notably, Noah's name is derived from this root, as is the ark's 'resting' on Ararat.

Usage & Theological Significance

Nuach operates on multiple levels: (1) physical rest — the ark rests on a mountain; (2) territorial rest — Israel's victory gives the land rest; (3) spiritual rest — the Spirit rests upon Messiah (Isaiah 11:2); (4) eschatological rest — Hebrews 4 promises a Sabbath rest for God's people. All forms point to the ultimate rest found in Christ: 'Come to me... and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28).

Key Bible Verses

Genesis 8:4 And on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest [nuach] on the mountains of Ararat.
Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest [nuach] on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding.
Deuteronomy 12:10 But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest [nuach] from all your enemies.
Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom reposes [nuach] in the heart of the discerning.
Numbers 11:25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on Moses and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested [nuach] on them, they prophesied.

Word Study

The ark's nuach on Ararat after the flood is a preview of salvation's rest. Noah (Noach, from nuach) himself was a type of Christ — the one through whom God's people find rest and new creation begins. When the Spirit 'rests' on Jesus at His baptism (Matthew 3:16, using the same imagery), it echoes Isaiah 11:2 and signals that the true Rest-Giver has arrived.

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External Resources

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