The following is from the Midrash, a collection of Jewish stories and teachings which expand upon the Torah.
When the Jews arrived at the Red Sea, with the Egyptian Army in hot pursuit from behind and the sea in front, there was an argument in the Heavenly Court if the Jews were worthy of being saved or not.
While Moses was praying to God for help, Nahshon ben Aminadav decided to take matters into his own hands and leaped into the sea. Nahshon’s action tipped the scales in the Jews’ favor.
Then God said to Moses, “Stop praying already! Turn around and look at what your friend Nahshon has done. While you stand here praying he is taking some action!” Only then does God part the sea so that the Israelites can cross.
This is what Rebbe Nachman of Breslev calls azut d’kedusha, or boldness for holiness.
The popular Yiddish saying to be a Nahshon means to be an initiator.
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Nahshon was appointed by Moses, upon God’s command, as prince of the Tribe of Judah. He was, through Boaz, the ancestor of David.
Nahshon is mentioned several times in the Bible.
He brought forth an offering at the dedication of the Tabernacle.
And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah. (Number 7:12)
Nahshon’s name is also given in the New Testament in the genealogy of Jesus of Nazareth. (Matthew 1:4 and Luke 3:32).