נָטַף

nâṭaph /naw-taf'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto ooze, i.e. distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration
KJV usagedrop(-ping), prophesy(-et).
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word nâṭaph, represented by H5197, is a primitive root meaning to ooze, distil gradually, or fall in drops. It appears 18 times across 14 unique verses. While its literal sense describes a slow dripping, it is figuratively used to mean speaking by inspiration, often translated as to prophesy or to let one's words drop.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The use of H5197 in scripture covers both literal and figurative dropping. In a literal sense, it describes the heavens dropping water in response to God's presence (Judges 5:4, Psalms 68:8). It is also used poetically to describe lips that drop as the honeycomb Song of Solomon 4:11 or hands dropped with myrrh Song of Solomon 5:5. Figuratively, the word is used for speech that flows from a person, as when Job says his speech dropped upon his listeners Job 29:22. This extends to divine communication, where prophets are commanded to drop their word upon the people (Ezekiel 21:2, Amos 7:16).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the two main applications of nâṭaph:

  • H5012 nâbâʼ (to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)): This word is often used in parallel with H5197 to describe the act of delivering a divine message, highlighting the inspired nature of the speech (Amos 7:16, Ezekiel 20:46).
  • H4405 millâh (a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic): This term for spoken words or discourse is what is said to have dropped from Job's mouth, emphasizing the content of the speech Job 29:22.
  • H6071 ʻâçîyç (must or fresh grape-juice (as just trodden out)): This word for sweet or new wine is what the mountains are prophesied to drop, linking H5197 to a vision of supernatural abundance and blessing (Amos 9:13, Joel 3:18).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5197 is evident in its application to divine action and communication.

  • Response of Creation: The heavens are said to drop at the presence of God, illustrating creation's tangible reaction to the Creator's power and majesty (Judges 5:4, Psalms 68:8).
  • Prophetic Utterance: The term describes the very method of prophetic speech. A prophet's word "drops," suggesting it is not their own but is distilled from a divine source. This is used for both true prophecy Ezekiel 21:2 and false prophecy Micah 2:11.
  • Eschatological Blessing: In prophetic visions of the future, the land itself overflows with divine blessing, as mountains drop down new wine, a powerful symbol of restoration and God's favor (Joel 3:18, Amos 9:13).

Summary

In summary, H5197 is a vivid term that moves from the physical to the spiritual. It captures the sense of a substance, whether water, myrrh, or words, being dispensed gradually and with purpose. From the clouds dripping rain to a prophet dripping divine truth, nâṭaph illustrates how both the natural world and human speech can be conduits for the influence and messaging of God.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 18 occurrences, inflected in 12 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 4×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Feminine 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Participle Singular Masculine Construct 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Participle Plural Feminine Absolute 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 14 verses across 9 books. Most frequent in Song of Solomon (3 verses).

1
Judges
1
Job
1
Psalms
1
Proverbs
3
Song of Solomon
2
Ezekiel
1
Joel
2
Amos
2
Micah

Verse Explorer

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