H5257a H5257a
libation, drink-offering; or molten image (context-dependent)
This masculine noun has two distinct meanings depending on context: either a drink-offering (libation) or a molten image (cast idol). In Deuteronomy 32:38, it refers to pagan libations: 'the wine of their drink-offering' that false gods supposedly consumed. In Daniel 11:8, it denotes molten images—idols that will be carried into Egypt as spoils. The semantic range from liquid offering to cast metal object may share a root connection to pouring or casting. Both senses involve pagan worship practices.
Senses
1. sense 1 — These two occurrences split between liquid and solid cultic objects. Deuteronomy 32:38 mocks false gods in Moses' song: 'Who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their libation (nesikhom)? Let them rise up and help you!' The rhetorical question highlights pagan gods' impotence—they supposedly consumed offerings but can't deliver aid. Daniel 11:8 describes Ptolemaic conquest: 'He shall carry off to Egypt their gods with their metal images (nesikheyhem) and with their precious vessels of silver and gold.' Here the term clearly means cast idols, grouped with other valuable cultic items. The dual meaning may reflect a single root (nasakh—pour, cast) applied to poured liquids (libations) or poured metal (molten images). Translations navigate this carefully—French 'boire offrande/prince' shows the interpretive challenge. 2×
AR["تَمَاثِيلِهِمْ", "سَكَائِبِهِمْ"]·ben["তাদের-পেয়-নৈবেদ্যের", "তাদের-মূর্তিগুলি"]·DE["[נסכיהם]", "ihr-trinken-Opfergabe"]·EN["their-drink-offering", "their-molten-images"]·FR["leur-boire-offrande", "prince"]·heb["נסיכיהם", "נסיכם"]·HI["उनकी-मूर्तियों", "उनके-अर्घ-की"]·ID["patung-patung-tuangan-mereka", "persembahan-curahan-mereka"]·IT["[נסכיהם]", "loro-bere-offerta"]·jav["kurban-unjukan-ipun", "reca-tuangan-ipun-sedaya"]·KO["그들의-전제들의", "그들의-주조-상들과"]·PT["sua-libação", "suas-imagens-fundidas"]·RU["возлияний-их", "литыми-изображениями-их"]·ES["sus-libaciones", "ídolos-fundidos-suyos"]·SW["sadaka-zao-za-kinywaji", "sanamu-zao"]·TR["dök-sunusunun", "dökme-putlarını"]·urd["اُن-کی-نذروں-کی", "اُن-کے-بتوں"]
Related Senses
H3548 1. priest, cultic officiant (750×)G5547 1. Christ, Messiah, Anointed One (540×)H5030 1. Prophet, divine spokesperson (317×)H5930a 1. burnt offering (sacrifice) (286×)H3881 1. Levites (priestly class) (283×)G4396 1. prophet, spokesperson of God (146×)H6944 1. sanctuary, holy place (129×)G0749 1. high priest, chief priest (123×)H6944 2. holiness, sacredness (abstract quality) (123×)G5330 1. Pharisee (99×)G4336 1. pray to God (86×)H6944 3. holy things, sacred offerings (plural) (86×)H3722a 1. make ritual atonement (Piel) (85×)H6912 1. bury (Qal active) (82×)H6419 1. pray (Hitpael) (80×)H6944 4. holiness (with possessive pronoun) (77×)H6942 1. sanctify, consecrate (Piel factitive) (76×)H2930a 1. Qal: be/become unclean (75×)H7819a 1. slaughter an animal (Qal active) (72×)H1486 1. lot (object cast for decisions) (71×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† I. [נָסִיךְ] n.m. 1. libation; 2. molten image;— 1. sf. יֵין נְסִיכָם wine of their drink-offering Dt 32:38. 2. molten image, sf. נְסִכֵיהֶם Dn 11:8.