### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Nᵉṭâʻîym**, represented by `{{H5196}}`, is understood either as the place name **Netaim** or literally as **plants**. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** within the biblical text, making its context crucial for understanding its meaning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single use of `{{H5196}}` is found in a genealogical record in [[1 Chronicles 4:23]]. The verse identifies a specific group of people as "the potters" who "dwelt among **plants** and hedges." This location is directly linked to their occupation and their service, as the passage concludes, "there they dwelt with the king for his work." The word, therefore, designates the specific, named environment where these royal craftsmen lived and labored.
### Related Words & Concepts
The words used alongside `{{H5196}}` in its only appearance help clarify its setting and purpose:
* `{{H3335}}` **yâtsar** (potter): Meaning to mould or form, like a potter shapes clay. This word describes the occupation of the men in the passage. In a broader context, it is used to describe God as the one who forms people and nations [[Isaiah 64:8]].
* `{{H3427}}` **yâshab** (dwelt): A term meaning to sit down, dwell, or remain. It establishes the location of the potters as their settled home and place of work. This same word is used to express the desire to dwell in the house of the LORD [[Psalms 27:4]].
* `{{H1448}}` **gᵉdêrâh** (hedges): Refers to an enclosure, hedge, or wall. In [[1 Chronicles 4:23]], it describes the physical boundary of the area, which in other contexts is used for sheepfolds or protective walls [[Numbers 32:24]].
### Theological Significance
While `{{H5196}}` itself is not theological, its context in [[1 Chronicles 4:23]] points to several themes.
* **Service and Proximity to Authority:** The potters' residence among the "plants" is defined by their service to the king. Their dwelling place is inseparable from their royal work and purpose.
* **Designated Place:** The mention of "plants and hedges" suggests a specific, cultivated, and possibly protected area set aside for these skilled workers, highlighting the value of their craft.
* **Human Craftsmanship and Divine Creation:** The potters are described with the word `yâtsar`, the same verb used to describe God forming man from dust [[Genesis 2:7]] and shaping Israel [[Isaiah 43:1]]. This creates a subtle parallel between the creative work of human hands and the ultimate creative power of God.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5196}}` denotes **Netaim**, a location likely known for its "plants," where a community of potters lived and worked. Although it appears just once, its significance is illuminated by the surrounding text in [[1 Chronicles 4:23]]. The term is part of a description that honors skilled labor, connects a people's dwelling place to their purpose, and subtly links the act of human creation to the work of the divine Potter.
TRV