Neesing
NatureWhat is the meaning of Neesing in the Bible?
The description of the leviathan's heated exhalation, derived from the Hebrew word 'aTishah, reflects ancient observations of crocodilian behavior where the creature snorts or sneezes, causing moisture to sparkle in sunlight, though the precise translation of the term remains ambiguous between 'sneeze' and 'snort'.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the naturalistic basis of this imagery helps readers appreciate the vivid, observational language used in biblical poetry to depict the power and majesty of God's creation, while also illustrating the interpretive challenges posed by specific Hebrew vocabulary in ancient texts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Neesing in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Neesing clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.