Persons of the Bible: Letter N

The letter N introduces many significant figures whose lives touch key moments in the Bible’s story—from the early days of humanity to the ministries of Jesus and the early church. We meet Noah, whose obedience preserved life through the flood; Nehemiah, whose leadership restored a broken Jerusalem; Nathanael, whose sincere heart drew him to Jesus; and Nebuchadnezzar, the great king whom God humbled to reveal His sovereignty. Alongside these stand warriors, prophets, genealogical ancestors, and faithful servants whose names appear briefly but meaningfully in the biblical record. Together, they remind us that God’s story of redemption is shaped through both the great and the small, revealing His patience, His holiness, and His steadfast love.

Naarai

Naarai was one of David’s mighty warriors, listed among the valiant men who supported the king during his rise to leadership.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 11:37

Naasson (variant of Nahshon)

A Greek form of Nahshon appearing in New Testament genealogies.
Scripture: Matthew 1:4 (variant)

Naaman

Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army, a respected warrior who suffered from leprosy. Through the prophet Elisha, Naaman learned humility, obedience, and the healing power of Israel’s God. His story reveals God’s mercy to the nations and foreshadows the cleansing and salvation Jesus offers to all who come in faith.
Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1–19; Luke 4:27

Naarah

Naarah was the wife of Asher and the mother of several sons listed in the genealogies of Judah.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:5–6

Naboth

Naboth, the vineyard owner, was unjustly executed through the schemes of Jezebel and Ahab. His story is a sobering example of corrupt power and a reminder that God defends the innocent and judges injustice.
Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1–19; 2 Kings 9:26

Naggai

Naggai appears in the genealogy of Jesus recorded in Luke.
Scripture: Luke 3:25

Naham

Naham was listed among the descendants of Caleb’s family.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:19

Nahamani

Nahamani was one of the leaders who returned from exile with Zerubbabel.
Scripture: Nehemiah 7:7

Naharai

Naharai the Beerothite was the armor-bearer of Joab and listed among David’s mighty men.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:37; 1 Chronicles 11:39

Nahash

Nahash appears both as an Ammonite king who opposed Israel and as a personal name within Israel’s genealogies.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 11:1; 2 Samuel 17:25

Nahath

Nahath was one of the sons of Esau, a chief of Edom.
Scripture: Genesis 36:13

Nahbi

Nahbi was one of the spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan.
Scripture: Numbers 13:14

Nahor

Nahor was the name of both Abraham’s grandfather and his brother. Nahor’s family played an important part in the patriarchal story, connecting Abraham to the broader kinship networks through which Isaac later found his wife. His line contributes to the unfolding promises that eventually lead to the birth of Jesus.
Scripture: Genesis 11:22–29; Genesis 24:24

Nahshon

Nahshon was a prince of Judah during the wilderness period and appears prominently in Jesus’ genealogy. His leadership represents the honored place of Judah among the tribes, pointing forward to the greater Leader who would come from Judah—Jesus, the Messiah.
Scripture: Numbers 1:7; Ruth 4:20–22; Matthew 1:4

Naphish

Naphish was a son of Ishmael and ancestor of the Naphishites, one of the early tribal families descended from Abraham through Hagar.
Scripture: Genesis 25:15; 1 Chronicles 5:19

— Naphishites (group designation)
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 5:19

Naphtali

Naphtali was one of the sons of Jacob through Bilhah and became the ancestor of the tribe of Naphtali. His descendants settled in the northern region of Israel, an area later touched powerfully by Jesus’ ministry, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that light would dawn in “Galilee of the nations.” Naphtali’s story connects the patriarchs to the Messianic promises revealed in Christ.
Scripture: Genesis 30:7–8; Genesis 49:21; Isaiah 9:1–2; Matthew 4:13–16

— Naphtalites / Naphtalites (designation)
Scripture: Numbers 1:42

Nasi

Nasi was a leader listed among the tribal heads.
Scripture: Numbers 34:23

Nathan

Nathan was both the name of a prophet in David’s court and a son of David listed in Jesus’ genealogy through Mary. As a prophet, Nathan courageously confronted David after his sin with Bathsheba and later guided him in matters concerning the temple and the royal line. Through the genealogical line of Nathan (the son), God preserved the Messianic promise leading to Jesus.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1–17; 2 Samuel 12:1–15; 1 Kings 1:8–14; Luke 3:31

Nathanael

Nathanael (also called Bartholomew) was a disciple of Jesus known for his sincerity. When Jesus revealed supernatural knowledge of him, Nathanael declared Jesus to be the Son of God and King of Israel, illustrating how Christ draws honest hearts to Himself.
Scripture: John 1:45–51; John 21:2

Nebai

Nebai was one of the leaders listed among the covenant signers in Nehemiah.
Scripture: Nehemiah 10:19

Nebat

Nebat was the father of Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Though Nebat himself is not well known, his name is forever associated with the long-lasting rebellion that Jeroboam introduced.
Scripture: 1 Kings 11:26; 1 Kings 12:20

Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar was the powerful king of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem, carried Judah into exile, and witnessed God’s power through Daniel and his companions. Though proud and defiant at first, he eventually acknowledged the sovereignty of the Most High. His story demonstrates God’s control over world empires and His ability to humble kings.
Scripture: Daniel 1–4; 2 Kings 24–25

Nebuchadrezzar (variant spelling)

Often used interchangeably with Nebuchadnezzar.
Scripture: Jeremiah 21:2

Nebushasban

Nebushasban was a Babylonian official mentioned among those present during the aftermath of Jerusalem’s fall.
Scripture: Jeremiah 39:13

Nebuzaradan

Nebuzaradan was the captain of the Babylonian guard who oversaw the destruction of Jerusalem and later released Jeremiah from captivity.
Scripture: 2 Kings 25:8–12; Jeremiah 39:9–14

Nedabiah

Nedabiah was a descendant of Jehoiachin, appearing in the royal genealogies preserved after the exile.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 3:18

Neginah (personal designation)

A term used in psalm titles that may function as a personal or musical designation.
Scripture: Psalm 61 (title)

Nehelamite (personal designation)

A designation referring to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, a false prophet who opposed Jeremiah.
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:24–32

Nehemiah

Nehemiah was a Jewish leader who returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. A man of prayer, courage, and perseverance, he rallied the people to restore the city despite opposition and discouragement. Nehemiah’s leadership emphasized obedience to God’s law, communal repentance, and covenant faithfulness—pointing toward the renewal that ultimately finds its fulfillment in Christ.
Scripture: Nehemiah 1–13

Nehorai (variant)

A minor genealogical or personal name in late traditions.
Scripture: Variant tradition

Nekoda

Nekoda was the ancestor of a family listed among the returning exiles, though uncertain genealogical records caused their priestly status to be questioned.
Scripture: Ezra 2:48; Nehemiah 7:50

Nelaiah

Nelaiah was one of the sons of Benjamin whose descendants appear in the genealogies recorded by the Chronicler.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 8:6

Nemuel

Nemuel was the son of Simeon and ancestor of the Nemuelites; his name also appears in the tribal listings of Numbers.
Scripture: Numbers 26:12; 1 Chronicles 4:24

— Nemuelites (group designation)
Scripture: Numbers 26:12

Nepheg

Nepheg was one of the sons of David who is included in the chronicles of the royal family.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:15; 1 Chronicles 3:7

Nereus

Nereus was a Christian greeted by Paul in Rome, remembered for his faithful presence in the early church.
Scripture: Romans 16:15

Nergal

Nergal is listed among the deities adopted by people settled in Samaria, included here as a personified figure.
Scripture: 2 Kings 17:30

Nergal-sharezer

Nergal-sharezer was a Babylonian official present at the fall of Jerusalem; he appears among the princes of Babylon.
Scripture: Jeremiah 39:3, 13

Neri

Neri appears in the genealogy of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel.
Scripture: Luke 3:27

Neriah

Neriah was the father of Baruch and Seraiah; his sons served faithfully alongside the prophet Jeremiah.
Scripture: Jeremiah 32:12; Jeremiah 51:59

Ner

Ner was the father of Abner, the commander of Saul’s army.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:50

Nethanel

Nethanel was a prince of the tribe of Issachar during Israel’s wilderness years; other men with this name appear among the Levites and gatekeepers.
Scripture: Numbers 1:8; 1 Chronicles 24:6

Nethaniah

Nethaniah appears multiple times as the name of priests, Levites, and one father of Gedaliah, whose assassination altered Judah’s post-exilic history.
Scripture: 2 Kings 25:23–25; Jeremiah 40:8

Nethinim

The Nethinim were temple servants assigned to assist the Levites. Their preservation in the genealogies shows the importance of every role within worship.
Scripture: Ezra 2:43; Nehemiah 7:46

Netophathite (personal-designation)

A personal designation used for individuals from Netophah, including warriors in David’s army.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:28 (contextual)

Neziah

Neziah was the head of a family among the Nethinim who returned from exile.
Scripture: Ezra 2:54; Nehemiah 7:56

Nibshan (personal-designation)

Primarily a location, included here where used as a personal identifier.
Scripture: Joshua 15:62 (contextual)

Nicanor

Nicanor appears in the early Church as one of the seven men chosen to distribute aid to widows.
Scripture: Acts 6:5

Nicodemus

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council who came to Jesus seeking understanding. He later defended Jesus publicly and assisted in His burial, showing a heart gradually awakened to faith. His story highlights the transforming truth Jesus spoke about being “born again.”
Scripture: John 3:1–21; John 7:50–52; John 19:39

Nicolas

Nicolas of Antioch was one of the seven appointed to serve the early church, reflecting the community’s care for fairness and unity.
Scripture: Acts 6:5

Noadiah

Noadiah appears twice: once as a false prophet opposing Nehemiah and once as a Levite assisting in weighing the temple vessels, illustrating how identical names can belong to people of very different character.
Scripture: Nehemiah 6:14; Ezra 8:33

Noah

Noah was a righteous man in a violent and corrupt age, chosen by God to build the ark that would preserve his family through the flood. His obedience demonstrated deep trust in God’s word, even before the world had seen a rain of such magnitude. After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah, establishing the promise symbolized by the rainbow and pointing toward God’s ultimate plan of redemption fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Scripture: Genesis 6–9; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20

Nobah

Nobah was a leader from the tribe of Manasseh who captured the city of Kenath and renamed it after himself.
Scripture: Numbers 32:42

Nobai

Nobai was one of the leaders among the returning exiles who sealed the covenant in Nehemiah’s day.
Scripture: Nehemiah 10:19

Noble (personal designation)

Used as a personal descriptor for individuals of rank or social standing. Included where functioning as a personal designation.
Scripture: Acts 17:11 (contextual)

Nogah

Nogah was one of the sons of David listed in Chronicles.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 3:7

Nohah

Nohah was a son of Benjamin whose name appears in the genealogical lists of Israel.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 8:2

Non (variant of Nun)

A variant spelling found in certain translations, referring to Joshua's father.
Scripture: Variant tradition

Nun

Nun was the father of Joshua, the servant of Moses who later led Israel into the promised land. His name appears often as part of Joshua’s identity.
Scripture: Exodus 33:11; Joshua 1:1

Nophah (personal-designation)

A name used in personal or tribal designation within variant textual traditions.
Scripture: Numbers 21:30 (contextual)

Nymphas

Nymphas was a believer in the early church who hosted a congregation in his (or her) home—a reminder that the early Christian movement grew through hospitality and steady, faithful discipleship.
Scripture: Colossians 4:15

---

As we finish the letter N, we see God working through kings and commoners, through prophets and exiles, through the obedient and the repentant. Each name adds dimension to the unfolding story of salvation and points forward to the One who fulfills every promise—Jesus Christ.

Moving ahead into the letter O, we will continue tracing the lives of those who appear in Scripture, learning how their stories, choices, and faith shed light on the greater story God is telling across the generations.