Original Word: נָסַס
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: nacac
Pronunciation: nah-SAS
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-sas')
KJV: lift up as an ensign
NASB: displayed, sparkling
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to gleam from afar, i.e. to be conspicuous as a signal
2. or rather perhaps a denominative from H5251 (and identical with H5263, through the idea of a flag as fluttering in the wind)
3. to raise a beacon

lift up as an ensign

A primitive root; to gleam from afar, i.e. To be conspicuous as a signal; or rather perhaps a denominative from nec (and identical with nacac, through the idea of a flag as fluttering in the wind); to raise a beacon -- lift up as an ensign.

see HEBREW nec

see HEBREW nacac

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
perhaps to be high or conspicuous
NASB Translation
displayed (1), sparkling (1).

II. נסס (√ of following = be high or conspicuous ?

Hithpo`lel Infinitive לְהִתְנוֺסֵס Psalm 60:6, according to some denominative from נֵס that it may be displayed, AV, compare De; < see נוס; Participle מִתְנוֺסְסוֺת Zechariah 9:16 raised ? prominent ? (עַלאַֿדְמָתוֺ; of precious stones, in figure) very dubious; We Now strike out; Gr מִתְנוֺצְצוֺת).

Root Concept and Nuances

נָסַס conveys the vivid image of something suddenly lifted into view so that its brilliance can be seen from afar. Connected nouns such as נֵס (“banner/standard”) reveal the same idea: an elevated signal that gleams, rallying the onlooker’s attention. The verb therefore straddles two semantic fields—“to shine or sparkle” and “to be borne aloft as a standard”—both centering on conspicuous display.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Isaiah 10:18 – within the oracle against Assyria, the word depicts the forest-like ranks of the invader dwindling “as when a sick man wastes away”. What once stood proudly aloft will fade; the banner that had attracted fear will grow dim.
2. Zechariah 9:16 – the prophet foresees Judah restored: “They will be like jewels in a crown, sparkling over His land”. Here נָסַס portrays covenant people elevated and radiant, a living diadem set upon the King’s territory.

Thematic Analysis

Display before the nations is the common thread. In Isaiah the arrogant power of Assyria lifts itself high, only to be reduced; in Zechariah the Lord alone exalts His flock, causing them to glisten with undimmed glory. The verb thus contrasts human self-exaltation that fades with divine exaltation that endures.

Historical Context

Isaiah warned Judah in the eighth century B.C. that Assyria’s apparent invincibility was transient. When that empire fell, the prophecy’s imagery was proven trustworthy. Zechariah, writing after the exile, encouraged a humbled remnant with the assurance that the same sovereign hand would raise them up and make them shine in the land once more.

Messianic and Eschatological Overtones

Zechariah 9 moves rapidly from Israel’s immediate salvation (verses 11–17) to the announcement of a humble, victorious King (Zechariah 9:9). The ‘sparkling’ people are the royal diadem of that King—a picture echoed in Revelation 21:11 where the New Jerusalem descends “having the glory of God, her radiance like a most precious jewel.” The verb’s imagery therefore stretches from post-exilic encouragement to ultimate consummation under Messiah’s reign.

Ministry and Practical Application

• God alone determines whose banner will finally gleam; boasting in human strength invites Isaiah 10’s outcome.
• Believers are called to reflect the brilliance of Christ, not by self-promotion but by yielding to His elevation (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:15).
• Congregational life should function as a visible standard that draws the wandering toward the Shepherd-King (John 13:34–35).
• Pastors may find in Zechariah 9:16 a pastoral promise: the flock, though battered, can yet sparkle when gathered under the Lord’s care.

Intertextual Connections

Numbers 21:8–9; Isaiah 11:10; John 3:14–15—each speaks of a raised signal that brings life, foreshadowing the cross where the Son of Man was “lifted up” for the nations. נָסַס provides the Old Testament verb-root behind that saving typology.

Further Study Suggestions

Compare the cognate noun נֵס across Exodus 17:15; Psalm 60:4; Isaiah 49:22. Trace how the movement from military standard to missionary beacon culminates in Jesus Christ, “the root of Jesse, who will arise to rule over the nations” (Romans 15:12 quoting Isaiah 11:10).

מִֽתְנוֹסְס֖וֹת מתנוססות נֹסֵֽס׃ נסס׃ miṯ·nō·ws·sō·wṯ mitnosSot miṯnōwssōwṯ nō·sês noSes nōsêsInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts