The Meaning of Nadav.
- manjulajk
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Nadav means to be generous/noble[1].
It was the name of 4 Israelites. They were the eldest son of Aaron (Exodus 6:23), the son of Jeroboam 1 (1 Kings 14:20), and two more men (1 Chronicles 2:28; 8:30). This name occurs 20 times in the Scriptures.[2]
Generosity is expected of people throughout the Scriptures, and it is not necessarily money. It may well be teaching, praying, loving, sharing time, effort, hospitality, acts of kindness, and helping others with whatever their special gifts are to support the other person(s). It means they will not get credit or may not be visible in the outcome. For this reason, it is very special.
Generosity is called Nedivoot in Hebrew. It is a fruit of the Spirit. This word is also translated as gentleness, liberality, bountifully, and more.[3]
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
Joy while giving is the right heart attitude. Often, givers struggle with whether it is the right person, trust, or institution to give to. Are they accountable and careful spenders? Givers enjoy less stress and longer lives. They reap many blessings from the prayers of grateful recipients. Ungrateful recipients are accountable to ADONAI. ADONAI is so happy with givers that He gives them more to give.
“As it is written, ‘He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.’ Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:9-11). ADONAI provides for giving.
Jake had to leave school in the 8th grade because his laborer parents could not afford to educate and feed him. He was good at studies and didn’t want to leave, but he started working to support his parents. His mother was pregnant and needed rest and medicines. He knew many children in his slum needed help with their studies, but could not afford the exorbitant tuition fees. He started helping them with their homework and studies so that they would do well and pass their exams. Now, years later, he continues this free service to many children, even though he, himself, never finished his schooling.
“But the generous devises generous things; and by generous things shall he stand.” (Isaiah 32:8). There is an excitement and preparation to give when the opportunity arises.
GIVING IN THE BIBLE.
As (1 Chronicles 29:14) declares, “Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” [4] This is the guiding principle of ownership and stewardship. We can channel His blessings to others and encourage them to give as well.
The Mosaic Law required Israel to show concern for the marginalized-widows, orphans, and foreigners (Deuteronomy 24:19-21). These were the most disinvested people, who lived in sorrow and uncertainty of the next meal. ADONAI required His people to care for the needy as part of His Covenant with them. Giving was to be planned when harvesting their crop, leaving sheaves and gleanings for hungry people. (Lev 23:22). It is also the spirit of tithing for the Levites who served in the temple and for their families.
ADONAI'S GENEROSITY
ADONAI demonstrated His over-the-board generous love when He gave His only begotten Son for the salvation of the world. He sent Yeshua, like another human, to carry the cross for the redemption of the world through suffering and death. This led to His resurrection. All because of His love for humankind. His love never fails. We have only to receive His love to bolster us.
LOVE IS FAITH IN ACTION.
Thus, we prove that we too have the love of ADONAI in us when we see someone in dire/real need and have pity/compassion on them. (1 John 3:17). Adoption and fostering kids is a service where the parents open their homes and hearts to unknown and unwanted children who have nowhere to go. They feed and care for them as their own, while helping them overcome fear and rejection. It is never easy, but with love as the motive, there is no higher service. This is love and faith in action. Many lives have been saved through this.
Generosity has a significant impact on society because it goes against greed. It dismantles the shackles of hoarding and has a cascade effect on people. Many rich people are generous givers who breathe life into dying situations. The receiver is equally accountable to ADONAI. There is a rich man in the Bible who would not care for Lazarus, the poor man who suffered and died outside his gate. He was judged and landed in hell forever. (Luke 10:19-31).
Generosity is a choice, a responsibility based on love and faith in ADONAI. We are called to be like Yeshua the Messiah, who gave Himself for us. We have received so much from ADONAI through others, and now we should give generously.
❤️
Thanks. Praise God