Preface:    The word n^etsîyb is found in several interesting places in Scripture—primarily in the historical books of the nation Israel (Samuel, Kings and Chronicles). Since this is its first use, I thought we should perhaps take a better look at it.

1.      The root verb for n^etsîyb is nâtsab (ב ַצ ָנ) [pronounced naw-TSAH^BV], which means to station oneself, to take one’s stand, to stand up, to set something upright, to erect. This appears to be the root for a great many words. Strong’s #5324 BDB #662.

2.      Masculine noun: n^etsîyb (בי.צנ) [pronounced n^eTZEE^BV]. Strong’s #5333 BDB #662.

         a.      BDB definitions:

                  i.       Pillar, post

                  ii.      Prefect, deputy

                  iii.      Also, apparently, a garrison, a post

         b.      Gesenius definitions:

                  i.       One set over, a prefect, a leader

                  ii.      Something placed or set; 

                            (1)     hence, a statue, an idol

                            (2)     A military station, a garrison. This appears to be the most common use of n^etsîyb.

         c.      This word is found 11 or 12 times in Scripture: Gen. 19:26 1Sam. 10:5 13:3, 4 2Sam. 8:6, 14 1Kings 4:19 1Chron. 11:16 18:13 2Chron. 8:10 17:2. These are listed below from the MKJV; if n^etsîyb is in the plural, then I have italicized it. 1Sam. 10:5 is the only passage where this typically is not rendered by a plural in the English, although it is plural in the Hebrew.

                  i.       Gen 19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. When Lot’s wife looked back toward Sodom and Gomorrah, she became a pillar or statue of salt. Gen. 19:26

                  ii.      1Sa 10:5 After that you shall come to the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is. And it will happen to you when you come there to the city, even you shall meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a harp and a tambourine and a flute and a lyre before them. And they shall prophesy. Samuel predicts what events will transpire in Saul’s life, and one deals with Saul going back to his hometown (often mistranslated hill of God) and the particular place referenced is further identified in 1Sam. 10:5 as where the Philistine garrison is. It would be much more likely for this to be an outpost rather than a reference to an individual.

                  iii.      1Sa 13:3–4 And Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines in Geba, and the Philistines heard. And Saul blew the ram's horn throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. And all Israel heard, saying, Saul has struck a garrison of the Philistines, and also Israel has made himself stink to the Philistines. And the people were called to Gilgal after Saul. In 1Sam. 13:3–4, Jonathan is said to have struck down the garrison of Philistines (because Jonathan is under the command of Saul, it is Saul who is said to have done this in v. 4). This would appear to be an outpost, a military station or a garrison. Some do interpret this as his having taken out a Philistine prefect or deputy; however, this would be in start contrast to his great bravery exhibited in 1Sam. 14.

                  iv.     2Sa 8:6 And David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus. And the Syrians became servants to David, bringing gifts. And Jehovah preserved David wherever he went. 2Sa 8:14 And he put garrisons in Edom. He put garrisons throughout all Edom, and all the men of Edom became David's servants. And Jehovah preserved David wherever he went. 1Ch 18:13 And he put guards in Edom. And all the men of Edom became David's servants. And Jehovah kept David safe wherever he went. David killed 22,000 Syrians and then set up garrisons in Syria, making them his servants who brought him tribute. He also established garrisons in Edom. 2Sam. 8:6, 14 1Chron. 18:13

                  v.      1Ki 4:19 Geber the son of Uri was in the land of Gilead, the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer in the land;... 1Kings 4:19 is one of the very few places where n^etsîyb clearly refers to a prefect or deputy. There is a reference to Geber, who is called the only prefect in the land of Gilead.

                  vi.     1Ch 11:16 And David was then in the stronghold, and the Philistines garrison was then at Bethlehem. We find this in 1Chron. 11:16, which reads: And David was then in the stronghold, while the garrison of the Philistines [was] then in Bethlehem. This almost sounds like there was only was Philistine garrison at a time; however, that is by implication and not by a clear, direct statement. Furthermore, it could be that there was only one garrison at that time, but that would not mean that in previous decades there were not several throughout central Israel.

                  vii.     2Ch 8:10 And these were the chief of King Solomon's officers, two hundred and fifty who bore rule over the people. 2Chron. 8:10 makes a reference to 250 men of Solomon who were the chiefs of deputies (or, garrisons).

                  viii.    2Ch 17:2 And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set troops in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken. Jehoshaphat placed troops and garrisons throughout the land of Judah in order to strengthen his control over southern Israel. 2Chron. 17:2

         d.      Conclusions: What I was hoping to find was a pattern where we could easily determine that n^etsîyb means something specific in the singular and something specific in the plural as well. However, in the singular, I think we can reasonably state that this would rarely refer to a guard or an officer (with the exception of 1Kings 4:19). Most of the time in the singular, this appears to refer to a garrison, post or a military presence. In the plural, this appears to mean guards, officers, soldiers [stationed in a particular area—generally hostile] and possibly garrisons.