Hebrew expression

Transliteration

Literal translation/
literary sources

Modern usage

nes "He will hold up a signal ("nes") to the nations and assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Isaiah 11:12 )

1. flag flying from a mast (literary)

2. triangular banner of an army unit, athletic team, etc.

nes miraculous or wonderful event miracle
nissim v'nifla-ot "Great wonders do not occur in these times." (Agnon) great wonders
ma'asei nissim wonderful event Praised be He who did miracles for our ancestors

 

 

baruch she-asa nissim la-avotenu Praised be He who did miracles for our ancestors.
nes gadol haya po A great miracle happened here. Intial letters written on Israeli Hanukkah dreidels
ein somchim al nissim Don't rely on miracles. Don't take chances.
hayah l'nes "Whereupon the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with Korah — when that band died, when the fire consumed the two hundred and fifty men — and they became an example." (Numbers 26:10) serve as a warning or example
hereem (he-ela) al nes raised on a flagpole held up as an example
ba'al hanes owner/master of a miracle Someone who has experienced a miracle.
ein ba'al hanes machir b'niso a person to whom a miracle happened does not recognize it. People don't acknowledge their own good fortune.
melumad b'nissim "Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was experienced in miracles." (Megillah 17b) Someone who has experienced many miracles.

 

In the Bible, the Hebrew word nes refers to a sign or standard, as in: "He will hold up a signal (nes) to the nations and assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Isaiah 11:12 )

In Talmudic (and modern) literature, nes is the almost universal word for a miracle: "When one sees a place where miracles were wrought for Israel, one should say, "Blessed be He who wrought miracles for our ancestors in this place."


Miracles TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   
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