Original Word: נָגַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: nagad
Pronunciation: naw-GAD
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-gad')
KJV: bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter
NASB: told, tell, declare, declared, reported, declares, declaring
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite
2. (by implication) (causatively), to manifest
3. (figuratively) to announce (always by word of mouth to one present)
4. specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise

bewray, certainly, certify, declare, denounce, expound, fully, messenger,

A primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. Stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise -- bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be conspicuous
NASB Translation
answered (3), another (1), certainly told (1), confess (1), confront* (1), declare (46), declared (13), declares (6), declaring (4), denounce (2), describe (1), disclosed (1), display (1), explain (3), fully reported (1), give evidence (1), indeed tell (1), inform (3), informed (1), informs (2), know (1), known (1), made known (4), make...known (1), messenger (2), related (2), remind (1), report (2), reported (10), reported* (1), show (2), shown (2), surely report (1), surely tell (1), tell (101), telling (2), tells (3), told (131), told plainly (1), uttered (1).

[נָגַד]₃₆₃ verb be conspicuous (Late Hebrew in derivatives; Phoenician proper name, masculine נגד; Arabic conquer, overcome, also be apparent, conspicuous; high land or country; be courageous, vigorous, effective, courageous, efficient; Aramaic , נְגַד drag, draw, lead; נָגוֺדָא leader; Ethiopic is travel); —

Hiph`il₃₂₈ Perfect הִגִּיד Genesis 3:11 +, 3 feminine singular הִגִּ֫ידָה 1 Samuel 25:19 +, הִגַּדְתָּ Genesis 12:8 +, etc.; Imperfect יַגִּיד 1 Samuel 9:6 +; וַיַּגֵּד Genesis 9:22 +; suffix יַגִּידֶ֫הָ Isaiah 44:7; יַגִּדָהּ Jeremiah 9:11; יַגֵָּֽדְךָ Deuteronomy 32:7 (jussive), etc.; Imperative הַגֵּד 2 Samuel 18:21 +; הַגִּ֫ידָה Genesis 29:15 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute הַגֵּד Judges 14:12 2t.; הַגֵּיד Jeremiah 36:16; construct לְהַגִּיד Genesis 32:6 +; לגיד 2 Kings 9:15 Kt. (Qr ׳לְהַגּ); Participle מַגִּיד Genesis 41:24 +; feminine מַגֶּ֫דֶת Esther 2:20; plural construct מַגִּידֵי Judges 14:19; — declare, tell [usually followed by לְ of indirect object Genesis 3:11 + often; insert also 1 Samuel 12:7; 2 Samuel 13:34 ᵐ5 Th We Klo Dr Kit Bu, so HPS 2 Samuel 13:34 (1 Samuel 12:7 he following HCT as more different); followed by אֶל Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 3:15; followed by לִפְנֵי 1 Samuel 17:31; Psalm 142:3; עַלמָּֿנָיו Job 21:31; בְּאָזְנֵָי Jeremiah 36:20; followed by בְּ local (instead of indirect object) chiefly prophets Jeremiah 4:5; Jeremiah 5:20; Jeremiah 31:10 +; also 1 Samuel 4:13; 2 Samuel 1:20; 2 Kings 9:15; Micah 1:10; rarely followed by accusative of person 2 Samuel 15:31 (but read וּלְדָוִד הִגִּיד HPS (indefinite subject), or הֻגַּד ׳ולס We Dr Kit, ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Th Klo Bu favour הֻגַּד), 2 Kings 7:9,11; Ezekiel 43:10; Job 17:5; Job 26:4; Job 31:37; followed by direct object in accusative Genesis 45:13 + often; followed by clause with כִּי Genesis 3:11 + often; followed by clause with אֲשֶׁר = כִּי (late) Esther 3:4; Esther 6:2; followed by clause with מָה Genesis 29:15; Judges 16:15; Esther 8:1 +; followed by clause with מִי 2 Kings 6:11; followed by clause with אֵיבָה Songs 1:7, once followed by clause with הֲ Genesis 43:6, etc.; often no direct object, followed by לֵאמֹר Exodus 13:8; 1 Samuel 25:14 +; followed by וַיּאֹמֶר Genesis 47:1 +; אמר then following by oratio recta [direct speech]; ׳הִגּ alone followed by oratio recta Zechariah 9:12; followed by עַל concerning, 1 Samuel 27:11; Esther 6:2; often indirect object omitted 1 Samuel 24:19 +; direct object omitted Judges 13:10 +; both omitted Leviticus 5:1 + ]. In Hexateuch rarely P, Leviticus 5:1; Leviticus 14:35; Exodus 16:22 ; J, Genesis 3:11; Genesis 12:18; Exodus 13:8 18t.; E, Genesis 21:6; Genesis 31:20; Genesis 41:25 15t.; D, Deuteronomy 17:9; Deuteronomy 26:3; Deuteronomy 30:18 5t.; —

1 tell, announce, report, usually human subject Genesis 9:22; Genesis 24:23; Genesis 32:6; Leviticus 14:35; Judges 13:6; 1 Samuel 3:18; 1 Kings 1:23; Nehemiah 2:12; Esther 2:10 (twice in verse); Job 12:7; Psalm 142:3; Isaiah 19:12; Jeremiah 5:20; Ezekiel 24:19 +.

2 declare, make known, expound, especially of something before not understood, concealed or mysterious, Genesis 3:11; Genesis 12:18, etc.; 1 Kings 10:3 2Chronicles 9:2; a riddle Judges 14:12,15,16 (3 t. in verse); Judges 14:19; dream Daniel 2:2; secret Job 11:6, etc.; of ׳י as revealing, Genesis 41:25; 2 Samuel 7:11; 2 Kings 4:27; Micah 6:8; Jeremiah 42:3; Psalm 147:19; of declaring by ׳יs agents Deuteronomy 5:5; Micah 3:8; 1 Samuel 15:16; 2 Samuel 24:13; Jeremiah 50:28; Isaiah 58:1; by divin. Hosea 4:12.

3 inform of (play the informer concerning) Joshua 2:14,20; Jeremiah 20:10; Job 17:5; Leviticus 5:1; Proverbs 29:24.

4 publish declare, proclaim, especially of proclaiming wisdom, power, loving-kindness, etc., of ׳י (especially Psalms): Psalm 9:12; Psalm 22:32; Psalm 51:17; Psalm 92:3; Psalm 92:16; Psalm 145:4 +, subject heavens Psalm 19:2; Psalm 50:6; Psalm 97:6; Isaiah 42:12; Isaiah 57:12.

5 avow, acknowledge, confess: Isaiah 3:9; Psalm 38:19, compare Isaiah 48:6. — Participle = messenger 2 Samuel 15:13; Jeremiah 51:31 (twice in verse) compare הַנַּ֫עַר הַמַּגִּיד 2 Samuel 1:5,6,13; ׳הָאִישׁ הַמּ 2 Samuel 18:11.

Hoph`al Perfect הֻגַּד Joshua 9:24 +; Imperfect וַיֻּגַּד Genesis 22:20 +; Infinitive absolute הֻגֵּד Joshua 9:24; Ruth 2:11; — be told, announced, reported, always followed byלְ (sometimes impersonal, logical subject in accusative, compare Genesis 27:42; 2 Samuel 21:11, with feminine Isaiah 21:2; not in P): Genesis 27:42 (J), Genesis 31:22 (E), Deuteronomy 17:4; Joshua 9:24 (twice in verse) (D), Ruth 2:11 (twice in verse); Judges 9:25; 2 Samuel 10:17; 2 Samuel 19:2; 2 Samuel 21:11; 1 Kings 10:7; 1 Kings 18:13; 1 Chronicles 19:17; 2Chronicles 9:6; Isaiah 21:2; Isaiah 40:21; followed by לֵאמֹר Genesis 22:20; Genesis 38:13; Genesis 13:24 (all J), Joshua 10:17 (JE), 1 Samuel 15:12; 1 Samuel 19:19; 2 Samuel 6:12; 1 Kings 1:51; 2 Kings 6:13; 2 Kings 8:7; Isaiah 7:2; followed by clause with כִּי Exodus 14:5 (J), Judges 9:47; 1 Samuel 23:7; 1 Samuel 23:13; 1 Samuel 27:4; 1 Kings 2:29; 1Ki 29:41.

Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 5046 denotes the act of making something known—declaring, reporting, revealing, or explaining. The verb appears in virtually every genre of the Old Testament, just over 370 times, and functions as one of Scripture’s principal terms for the communication of truth, whether human or divine.

Semantic Field

• Public announcement or proclamation
• Legal testimony or formal report
• Prophetic revelation and oracle
• Instruction, explanation, or interpretation
• Praise or confession that makes God’s deeds known

Though a single root, its nuances range from an everyday “tell” (Genesis 3:11) to the majestic “declare His glory among the nations” (Psalm 96:3).

Patterns of Usage

1. Hiphil stem (causative): the agent causes information to become known—“Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD” (Exodus 19:8–9).
2. Niphal and Hophal passives: information is made known to the subject—“It has been reported to us” (Jeremiah 50:2).
3. Qal stative or participle: something stands openly, manifest—“The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1).

Declarative Ministry in the Torah

• Genesis establishes the pattern of relational disclosure: God questions Adam, “Who told you that you were naked?” (Genesis 3:11), and Jacob pleads, “Please tell me your name” (Genesis 32:29).
• Moses repeatedly carries reports between Israel and God: “Moses relayed the words of the people to the LORD” (Exodus 19:8). This mediating role anticipates later priestly and prophetic functions.
• Covenant stipulations rely on clear testimony: fraudulent worship must be “investigated thoroughly” and “reported” before judgment (Deuteronomy 17:4).

Royal and Prophetic Courts

Kings require verified information: David asks, “Tell me what happened” after Absalom’s death (2 Samuel 18:31). Prophets, standing before throne rooms earthly and heavenly, announce divine verdicts: “Former things have happened, and now I declare new things” (Isaiah 42:9). The word thus frames both palace politics and eschatological hope.

Witness and Covenant Testimony

The verb is central in legal settings (Ruth 4:4; 1 Kings 1:20). In covenant lawsuits, the prophets “make known” Israel’s transgressions, functioning as prosecutors (Micah 3:8). Declarations either confirm fidelity or expose breach.

Wisdom and Worship Contexts

Psalms and Proverbs employ the root for doxological testimony: “I will proclaim all Your wonders” (Psalm 9:14); “He who speaks truth declares righteousness” (Proverbs 12:17). Public declaration is portrayed as an act of worship and moral integrity.

Eschatological and Messianic Dimensions

Isaiah 52:6 anticipates a climactic revelation: “Therefore My people will know My name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it.” The ultimate disclosure of God’s name and salvation finds fulfillment in the incarnate Word, whose earthly ministry is characterized by “making known” the Father (compare John 17:26, the Greek exēgēsato paralleling the Hebrew concept).

Practical Ministry Reflections

• Preaching: Faithful proclamation mirrors the prophetic pattern—making divine truth plain to hearers.
• Discipleship: Parents “tell” their children of the Lord’s works (Psalm 78:4), establishing inter-generational faithfulness.
• Evangelism: Psalm 96:3 links the verb with missional impulse—“Declare His glory among the nations.”
• Integrity: Truth-telling in courts and commerce reflects God’s character; false reporting violates covenant ethics.

Related Hebrew Terms

• גָּלָה (galah) – to uncover, reveal, often of mysteries.
• בָּשַׂר (basar) – to bring good news, emphasize joyful proclamation.
• שָׁמַע (shamaʿ) – to hear; complements נָגַד by describing reception of the declared word.

Selected Verse Gallery

Genesis 3:11 – “Who told you that you were naked?”

Exodus 33:13 – “Show me now Your ways, that I may know You.”

1 Samuel 3:17 – “What is the message He spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me.”

2 Samuel 7:27 – “You, LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant.”

Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God.”

Psalm 96:3 – “Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples.”

Isaiah 42:9 – “New things I now declare; before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”

Daniel 2:28 – “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.”

Amos 3:7 – “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.”

Malachi 1:6 – “If I am a Master, where is the respect due Me? says the LORD of Hosts to you, O priests who despise My name.”

The verb נָגַד portrays Scripture’s grand movement from concealed mystery to unveiled glory, calling every generation to hear, receive, and in turn declare the mighty works of God.

אַגִּ֑יד אַגִּ֖יד אַגִּ֣יד אַגִּ֥יד אַגִּ֥ידָה אַגִּֽידָה־ אַגִּֽיד׃ אַגִּידֶ֑נּוּ אגיד אגיד׃ אגידה אגידה־ אגידנו הֲיַגִּ֥יד הִ֭גַּדְתִּי הִגִּ֖יד הִגִּ֖ידוּ הִגִּ֣יד הִגִּ֣ידָה הִגִּ֣ידוּ הִגִּ֤יד הִגִּ֥יד הִגִּ֥ידָה הִגִּ֥ידוּ הִגִּ֧יד הִגִּ֨יד הִגִּֽידָה׃ הִגִּֽיד׃ הִגִּיד֙ הִגִּידָ֗הּ הִגַּ֑דְתָּה הִגַּ֔דְתִּי הִגַּ֖דְתִּי הִגַּ֣דְתִּי הִגַּ֣דְתָּ הִגַּ֤דְתִּי הִגַּ֥דְתִּי הִגַּֽדְתִּי׃ הַ֝גֵּ֗ד הַגִּ֙ידוּ֙ הַגִּ֜ידוּ הַגִּ֣ידִי הַגִּ֣ידָה הַגִּ֣ידוּ הַגִּ֤ידוּ הַגִּ֥ידִי הַגִּ֥ידָה הַגִּ֥ידוּ הַגִּ֨ידוּ הַגִּֽידָה־ הַגִּידָה־ הַגֵּ֛ד הַגֵּ֣ד הַגֵּ֤ד הַגֵּ֤יד הַגֵּ֥ד הַגֶּד־ הַמַּגִּ֔יד הַמַּגִּ֣יד הַמַּגִּיד֩ הֻגֵּ֨ד הֻגַּ֗ד הֻגַּ֜ד הֻגַּ֤ד הֻגַּ֥ד הֻגַּד־ הגד הגד־ הגדת הגדתה הגדתי הגדתי׃ הגיד הגיד׃ הגידה הגידה־ הגידה׃ הגידו הגידי היגיד המגיד וְאַגִּ֣ידָה וְאַגִּ֧ידָה וְהִגִּ֖ידוּ וְהִגִּ֣ידָה וְהִגִּ֣ידוּ וְהִגִּ֤יד וְהִגִּ֥יד וְהִגִּ֥ידוּ וְהִגַּ֖דְתִּי וְהִגַּ֣דְתִּי וְהִגַּ֥דְתִּי וְהִגַּדְתֶּ֣ם וְהִגַּדְתָּ֣ וְהַגִּ֥ידוּ וְהַגִּ֨ידוּ וְהַגֵּ֣ד וְהַגֵּ֤ד וְהַגֶּד־ וְהֻֽגַּד־ וְיַגִּ֣ידוּ וְיַגִּ֥ידוּ וְיַגִּדָ֑הּ וְיַגִּידֶ֤הָ וְיַגֵּ֔דְךָ וְיַגֶּד־ וְנַגִּ֖ידָה וְנַגִּידֶ֔נּוּ וְתַגֵּ֖יד וַ֭יַּגִּידוּ וַיַּ֨גֶּד־ וַיַּגִּ֕ידוּ וַיַּגִּ֖דוּ וַיַּגִּ֖ידוּ וַיַּגִּ֙ידוּ֙ וַיַּגִּ֛ידוּ וַיַּגִּ֜דוּ וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ וַיַּגִּ֤דוּ וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ וַיַּגִּ֥דוּ וַיַּגִּ֨דוּ וַיַּגִּ֨ידוּ וַיַּגֵּ֖ד וַיַּגֵּ֞ד וַיַּגֵּ֣ד וַיַּגֵּ֤ד וַיַּגֵּ֥ד וַיַּגֵּ֨ד וַיַּגֵּ֪ד וַיַּגֵּד֙ וַיַּגֶּד־ וַיֻּגַּ֖ד וַיֻּגַּ֗ד וַיֻּגַּ֞ד וַיֻּגַּ֣ד וַיֻּגַּ֤ד וַיֻּגַּ֥ד וַיֻּגַּ֨ד וַיֻּגַּד֙ וַיֻּגַּד־ וַנַ֨גֶּד־ וַנַּ֨גֶּד־ וַתַּ֨גֶּד־ וַתַּגֵּ֖ד וַתַּגֵּ֣ד וַתַּגֵּ֥ד וַתַּגֵּד֙ וַתַּגֶּד־ וָאַגִּ֣ד וָאַגִּ֤יד וָאַגִּ֥ד וָאַגִּ֨יד וּלְהַגִּ֣יד וּמַגִּ֖יד וּמַגִּ֤יד ואגד ואגיד ואגידה והגד והגד־ והגדת והגדתי והגדתם והגיד והגידה והגידו ויגד ויגד־ ויגדה ויגדו ויגדך ויגידה ויגידו ולהגיד ומגיד ונגד־ ונגידה ונגידנו ותגד ותגד־ ותגיד יַגִּ֑ידוּ יַגִּ֖יד יַגִּ֣יד יַגִּ֣ידֽוּ יַגִּ֥דוּ יַגִּ֥יד יַגִּ֥ידֽוּ יַגִּ֥ידוּ יַגִּֽיד׃ יַגִּֽידוּ׃ יַגִּיד֙ יַגֵּ֥יד יגדו יגיד יגיד׃ יגידו יגידו׃ לְ֭הַגִּיד לְהַגִּ֔יד לְהַגִּ֖יד לְהַגִּ֣יד לְהַגִּ֤יד לְהַגִּ֥יד לְהַגִּ֧יד לְהַגִּיד֙ לְהַגִּ֥יד לְמַגִּידֵ֖י להגיד למגידי מֵהַגִּ֥יד מַגִּ֑יד מַגִּ֔יד מַגִּ֖יד מַגִּ֗יד מַגִּ֣יד מַגִּ֤יד מַגִּ֥יד מַגֶּ֤דֶת מגדת מגיד מהגיד נַגִּיד֙ נגיד תַּגִּ֔ידוּ תַּגִּ֕יד תַּגִּ֖ידִי תַּגִּ֣יד תַּגִּ֣ידוּ תַּגִּידוּ֩ תַגִּ֑ידוּ תַגִּ֔ידוּ תַגִּ֥יד תַגִּֽיד׃ תַגִּיד֙ תגיד תגיד׃ תגידו תגידי ’ag·gî·ḏāh ’ag·gî·ḏāh- ’ag·gî·ḏen·nū ’ag·gîḏ ’aggîḏ ’aggîḏāh ’aggîḏāh- ’aggîḏennū agGid aggidah aggiDennu hă·yag·gîḏ hag·gêḏ hag·geḏ- hag·gî·ḏāh hag·gî·ḏāh- hag·gî·ḏî hag·gî·ḏū hagGed haggêḏ haggeḏ- hagGeid hagGidah haggîḏāh haggîḏāh- hagGidi haggîḏî hagGidu haggîḏū ham·mag·gîḏ hammagGid hammaggîḏ hayagGid hăyaggîḏ hig·gaḏ·tā hig·gaḏ·tāh hig·gaḏ·tî hig·gî·ḏāh hig·gî·ḏū hig·gîḏ higGadta higgaḏtā higGadtah higgaḏtāh higGadti higgaḏtî higGid higgîḏ higGidah higgîḏāh higGidu higgîḏū hug·gaḏ hug·gaḏ- hug·gêḏ hugGad huggaḏ huggaḏ- hugGed huggêḏ lə·hag·gîḏ lə·mag·gî·ḏê lehagGid ləhaggîḏ ləmaggîḏê lemaggiDei mag·ge·ḏeṯ mag·gîḏ magGedet maggeḏeṯ magGid maggîḏ mê·hag·gîḏ mehagGid mêhaggîḏ nag·gîḏ nagGid naggîḏ tag·gî·ḏî tag·gî·ḏū ṯag·gî·ḏū tag·gîḏ ṯag·gîḏ tagGid taggîḏ ṯaggîḏ tagGidi taggîḏî tagGidu taggîḏū ṯaggîḏū ū·lə·hag·gîḏ ū·mag·gîḏ ulehagGid ūləhaggîḏ umagGid ūmaggîḏ vaagGid vaiyagGed vaiyagGidu vaiyugGad vaNagged vanNagged vattagGed veagGidah vehagged vehagGidu vehiggadTa vehiggadTem vehigGadti vehigGid vehigGidah vehigGidu vehuggad venagGidah venaggiDennu vetagGeid veyagged veyagGedecha veyaggiDah veyaggiDeha veyagGidu wā’aggiḏ wā’aggîḏ wā·’ag·giḏ wā·’ag·gîḏ wa·nag·geḏ- wan·nag·geḏ- wanaggeḏ- wannaggeḏ- wat·tag·gêḏ wat·tag·geḏ- wattaggêḏ wattaggeḏ- way·yag·gêḏ way·yag·geḏ- way·yag·gi·ḏū way·yag·gî·ḏū way·yug·gaḏ way·yug·gaḏ- wayyaggêḏ wayyaggeḏ- wayyaggiḏū wayyaggîḏū wayyuggaḏ wayyuggaḏ- wə’aggîḏāh wə·’ag·gî·ḏāh wə·hag·gêḏ wə·hag·geḏ- wə·hag·gî·ḏū wə·hig·gaḏ·tā wə·hig·gaḏ·tem wə·hig·gaḏ·tî wə·hig·gî·ḏāh wə·hig·gî·ḏū wə·hig·gîḏ wə·hug·gaḏ- wə·nag·gî·ḏāh wə·nag·gî·ḏen·nū wə·ṯag·gêḏ wə·yag·gê·ḏə·ḵā wə·yag·geḏ- wə·yag·gi·ḏāh wə·yag·gî·ḏe·hā wə·yag·gî·ḏū wəhaggêḏ wəhaggeḏ- wəhaggîḏū wəhiggaḏtā wəhiggaḏtem wəhiggaḏtî wəhiggîḏ wəhiggîḏāh wəhiggîḏū wəhuggaḏ- wənaggîḏāh wənaggîḏennū wəṯaggêḏ wəyaggeḏ- wəyaggêḏəḵā wəyaggiḏāh wəyaggîḏehā wəyaggîḏū yag·gêḏ yag·gi·ḏū yag·gî·ḏū yag·gîḏ yaggêḏ yagGeid yagGid yaggîḏ yagGidu yaggiḏū yaggîḏūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts