Original Word: נְצִיב
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ntsiyb
Pronunciation: neh-tseeb
Phonetic Spelling: (nets-eeb')
KJV: garrison, officer, pillar
NASB: garrisons, garrison, deputy, officers, pillar
Word Origin: [from H5324 (נָצַב - set)]

1. something stationary, i.e. a prefect, a military post, a statue

garrison, officer, pillar

Or ntsib {nets-eeb'}; from natsab; something stationary, i.e. A prefect, a military post, a statue -- garrison, officer, pillar.

see HEBREW natsab

Word Origin
from natsab
Definition
a pillar, prefect, garrison, post
NASB Translation
deputy (1), garrison (4), garrisons (5), officers (1), pillar (1).

I. נְצִיב noun masculine pillar, prefect, also apparently garrison, post (Ecclus 46:18 ויבנע נציבי צר and he subdued garrisons, posts, of the foe); — ׳נ absolute 1 Kings 4:19; construct 1 Samuel 13:3 3t.; plural נְצִיבִים 2 Samuel 8:6 2t. + 2 Chronicles 8:10 Kt, נְצִבִים 2 Samuel 8:14 (twice in verse); construct נְצִבֵי 1 Samuel 10:5 ᵑ0, but read נְצִיב ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Th We Dr Klo Kit Bu HPS; —

1 pillar, מֶלַח ׳נ Genesis 19:26 (J).

2 prefect, deputy 1 Kings 4:19 (on text compare Klo Benz), so perhaps also 1 Samuel 10:5 (HPS; pillar ᵐ5 Th Dr Klo Kit), and apparently 1 Samuel 13:3,4 (> al. pillar); this meaning serves also for 2 Samuel 8:6,14 (twice in verse) (so Ki; Th HPS garrison) 1 Chronicles 11:16; 1 Chronicles 18:13; 2Chronicles 8:10 (where read Kt), 2 Chronicles 17:2 (Kau garrison in 2 Chronicles 11:16; 17:2; Ecclus 46:18 — see above — would favour this meaning in other passages).

Semantic Range

נְצִיב conveys the idea of something fixed in place—whether a physical column of stone, a permanent military posting, or an appointed civic official. Across its twelve appearances, the word consistently points to firmness, permanence, and oversight.

Distribution in Scripture

• Genesis (1) – a literal pillar
• Historical Books of Samuel, Kings, Chronicles (11) – garrisons and governors

These passages span the patriarchal period through the divided monarchy, showing the term’s durability in Israel’s vocabulary.

Pillar of Salt: A Solemn Memorial

Genesis 19:26 is the Bible’s only use of נְצִיב for a pillar. Lot’s wife, lingering over the sins of Sodom, “became a pillar of salt”. The sudden transformation produces a lasting monument of warning. The fixed salt-pillar confronts every generation with the peril of divided loyalty (Luke 17:32). Like the standing stones later erected to commemorate covenant faithfulness, this stationary column memorializes judgment.

Military Garrisons: Securing Covenant Territory

From the time of Saul to Jehoshaphat, נְצִיב describes garrisons that either threaten or protect the people of God.

• 1 Samuel 10:5; 13:3-4 – Philistine outposts dominate Israel until Jonathan’s daring assault breaks their hold, sparking national courage.
• 2 Samuel 8:6, 14; 1 Chronicles 18:13 – David “put garrisons in Aram-damascus… and in Edom,” extending Israel’s borders. Each נְצִיב declares the Lord’s fulfillment of promises to Abraham about possessing enemy gates.
• 1 Chronicles 11:16 – A Philistine garrison occupies Bethlehem, the very birthplace of David, underscoring the urgency of deliverance.
• 2 Chronicles 17:2 – Jehoshaphat stations troops and נְצִיבים in the fortified cities of Judah, a defensive measure rooted in reliance on the Lord rather than foreign alliances.

Theologically, these garrisons embody the principle that redeemed territory must be actively guarded. Spiritual conquest is followed by continual vigilance (Ephesians 6:11-12).

Civil Governors: Administrative Steadfastness

The same term designates high-ranking officials under Solomon and the united monarchy.

• 1 Kings 4:19 – “There was one governor over the land.”
• 2 Chronicles 8:10 – Solomon’s 250 chief officers “ruled over the people.”

Here נְצִיב shifts from martial to civic oversight, yet the underlying concept—steadfast supervision—remains. The official stands as a fixed point of order, ensuring justice and prosperity in the land (Romans 13:4).

Unifying Themes

1. Permanence. Whether stone, soldier, or statesman, the נְצִיב is immovable. God’s purposes are likewise unshakable (Hebrews 6:17-18).
2. Oversight. The word often signals delegated authority. Every נְצִיב answers ultimately to the King of kings.
3. Memory. The salt-pillar and the network of garrisons both serve as visible reminders—one of judgment, the other of victory and responsibility.

Applications for Ministry

• Guard the gains of grace. Establish spiritual “garrisons” through prayer, discipleship, and accountability to prevent enemy re-entry.
• Stand as living pillars. Like Lot’s wife in negative example and like memorial stones in positive, believers’ lives witness to the reality of divine holiness and mercy.
• Lead with steadfast integrity. Christian leaders echo the civic נְצִיבים when they exercise God-given authority for the good of His people, remaining fixed amid cultural drift.

By tracing נְצִיב through Scripture, one sees the call to become steadfast guardians and memorials of God’s covenant faithfulness in every generation.

הַנִּצָּבִ֛ים הנצבים וּנְצִ֣יב וּנְצִ֥יב ונציב נְצִ֣יב נְצִ֤יב נְצִ֥יב נְצִבִ֔ים נְצִבִ֗ים נְצִבִים֙ נְצִבֵ֣י נְצִיבִ֔ים נְצִיבִים֙ נצבי נצבים נציב נציבים han·niṣ·ṣā·ḇîm hanniṣṣāḇîm hannitztzaVim nə·ṣi·ḇê nə·ṣi·ḇîm nə·ṣî·ḇîm nə·ṣîḇ nəṣîḇ nəṣiḇê nəṣiḇîm nəṣîḇîm neTziv netziVei netziVim ū·nə·ṣîḇ ūnəṣîḇ uneTzivInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts