Original Word: נָחֵת
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: nacheth
Pronunciation: nah-KHAYTH
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-khayth')
KJV: come down
NASB: coming down
Word Origin: [from H5181 (נָחַת - bend)]

1. descending

come down

From nachath; descending -- come down.

see HEBREW nachath

Word Origin
from nacheth
Definition
descending
NASB Translation
coming down (1).

[נָחֵת] adjective descending; — masculine plural נְחִתִּים (on form compare Kö^{ii. 81}), 2 Kings 6:9 (to battle); but read probably with Th Klo Benz after ᵐ5 נֶחְבִּים hidden.

Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 5185 (נָחֵת) designates the idea of “descent” or “going down.” Although the specific form does not surface in the canonical Old Testament text, the concept it expresses is woven through Scripture—from the Lord’s condescending acts of grace to the believer’s call to humble service.

God’s Descent to Deliver

• Exodus 3:8: “So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians…”.
• Psalm 18:9: “He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under His feet.”

Whenever the Lord “descends,” He does so to save, to reveal Himself, and to enter covenant with His people. Each theophany at Sinai or in the tabernacle foreshadows the ultimate descent of the Word made flesh.

Divine Presence and Covenant

The pattern of God coming down is covenantal. At Sinai (Exodus 19:20) the Lord descends so that the people might ascend in worship. In Judges 5:13–15 the tribes “came down” to battle, echoing God’s own initiative. This rhythm shapes Israel’s understanding of grace: God steps toward humanity first, then calls for response.

Descent and Theophany in Worship

Temple worship reenacted that movement. Incense rose, yet the glory cloud descended to rest above the mercy seat (2 Chronicles 7:1–3). The faithful learned that true worship is not human ascent by works, but God’s descent in mercy met by reverent obedience (Isaiah 57:15).

Messianic Descent

Prophets anticipated a saving descent:
• Micah 5:2 speaks of the Ruler whose “origins are from of old.”
• Zechariah 9:9 pictures the King who “comes” in humility.

Fulfilment comes in Jesus Christ: “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33). His incarnation, death, and resurrection unite the vertical (God-ward) and horizontal (man-ward) dimensions of redemption.

The Downward Path of Humility

Jesus models redemptive descent (Philippians 2:6-8). He teaches, “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Christian discipleship therefore mirrors His trajectory: stepping down to serve, bearing others’ burdens, willingly taking the “lower place” at the table (Luke 14:10).

Descent of the Spirit

At the Jordan the Spirit “descended like a dove” (Matthew 3:16). In the upper room a sound “came from heaven” (Acts 2:2) as tongues of fire rested on each believer. Both events affirm that divine power meets believers where they are, enabling witness and holiness.

Eschatological Descent

History moves toward another glorious descent: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Revelation 21:2 pictures the New Jerusalem “coming down out of heaven from God,” signaling the consummation of His dwelling with humanity.

Pastoral and Devotional Applications

1. Hope: God’s repeated pattern of coming down assures believers that He is never distant in times of distress.
2. Humility: True greatness is found in self-emptying service after the manner of Christ.
3. Mission: As God descends to rescue, the church goes down into the world’s broken places bearing the gospel.
4. Worship: Gathered praise anticipates the final descent of the Savior and the city of God.

The vocabulary behind Strong’s 5185 may not appear in the Old Testament text, yet the truth it conveys—God graciously descending and calling His people to walk the same downward path of servanthood—stands at the heart of biblical revelation and Christian living.

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