a primitive root; to guard; figuratively, to cherish (anger); bear grudge, keep(-er), reserve.
Transliteration:nâṭar
Pronunciation:naw-tar'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The root `{{H5201}}` (nâṭar) carries the fundamental meaning of "to guard" or "to keep." This core sense implies a watchful preservation, a careful retention, or a deliberate withholding. Its semantic range extends from the literal act of protecting something tangible to the figurative and more frequent application of harboring or retaining abstract concepts, particularly emotions. When applied to emotions, it often denotes "to cherish," "to bear a grudge," or "to retain anger." The nuance of "reserving" or "holding back" is also present, suggesting a deliberate maintenance of something for a future purpose or state.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H5201}}` appears relatively few times in the Hebrew Bible, yet its occurrences are highly significant for grasping its full semantic and theological weight.
1. **Literal Guarding/Keeping:**
* In [[Proverbs 28:7]], the participle form (נוֹטֵר, *nôṭēr*) is used positively: "He who `{{H5201}}` the law is a discerning son." Here, it signifies careful observance, adherence, and guarding of God's commandments, indicating wisdom and righteousness.
2. **Figurative - Cherishing Anger/Grudge:** This is the most prominent and ethically charged usage.
* The foundational prohibition is found in [[Leviticus 19:18]]: "You shall not `{{H5201}}` a grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself." This verse explicitly forbids the internal act of harboring resentment or ill-will, contrasting it with the command to love. It highlights the destructive nature of unaddressed anger and the necessity of releasing it for communal harmony.
* In prophetic and wisdom literature, `{{H5201}}` is often used in relation to anger or wrath. [[Psalm 103:9]] states of God, "He will not always strive, nor will he `{{H5201}}` his anger forever," implying that God's anger, while just, is not eternal in its active manifestation towards His people.
* Similarly, [[Jeremiah 3:5]] asks, "Will he `{{H5201}}` it forever?" concerning God's anger, reflecting a plea for cessation of divine judgment.
* [[Nahum 1:2]] presents a unique application: "The Lord is a jealous God and avenging; the Lord is avenging and full of wrath; the Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries, and He `{{H5201}}` wrath for His enemies." Here, God "keeps" or "reserves" wrath, not out of petty vindictiveness, but as an attribute of His righteous justice, indicating that judgment is certain and held in store for the wicked.
The contexts reveal that while the root can denote positive observance, its most impactful uses pertain to the internal state of holding onto negative emotions (which is forbidden for humans) or the divine attribute of reserving righteous judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept expressed by `{{H5201}}` relates to several other Hebrew terms that convey ideas of watching, preserving, or remembering, yet `{{H5201}}` maintains a distinct nuance.
* `{{H8104}}` (šāmar): This very common verb means "to watch, guard, keep, observe." While it shares the "guarding" sense, `{{H8104}}` has a much broader semantic range, encompassing the keeping of covenants, laws, or physical objects. `{{H5201}}` often carries a stronger connotation of *retaining* or *holding onto*, particularly in the figurative sense of emotions.
* `{{H5341}}` (nāṣar): Meaning "to watch, guard, keep," often with an emphasis on protection or preservation. Similar to `{{H8104}}`, it is broader than `{{H5201}}` and can refer to guarding a city or a person from harm.
* `{{H2142}}` (zākar): "To remember, recall." While not synonymous, the act of "bearing a grudge" (`{{H5201}}`) inherently involves "remembering" (`{{H2142}}`) a past offense. The ethical command to not `{{H5201}}` a grudge implicitly calls for a release or "forgetting" of the offense in a relational sense, rather than a continued remembrance for ill.
* `{{H631}}` ('āph): "Nose, anger." This term for anger is often paired with `{{H5201}}` when referring to the cherishing or retaining of wrath, as seen in [[Psalm 103:9]].
The unique contribution of `{{H5201}}` lies in its specific application to the internal state of retaining emotions, particularly negative ones, and its distinct use in the context of divine reserved wrath, setting it apart from more general terms for guarding or remembering.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5201}}` is profound, illuminating both human ethical responsibility and the character of God.
1. **Ethical Imperative for Forgiveness:** The prohibition in [[Leviticus 19:18]] is a cornerstone of Old Testament ethics. It directly addresses the internal state of the heart, forbidding the harboring of resentment or a grudge. This command is not merely about outward actions but about the inner disposition, promoting a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation essential for a holy community. It anticipates the New Testament emphasis on loving one's enemies and forgiving those who trespass against us, demonstrating that true love cannot coexist with a cherished grudge.
2. **Divine Justice and Patience:** When `{{H5201}}` is applied to God, as in [[Nahum 1:2]], it reveals a crucial aspect of His character. God "reserves" wrath, which signifies His justice, patience, and sovereignty. Unlike human grudges, which are often rooted in personal offense and vindictiveness, God's "keeping" of wrath is a measured, holy response to sin and rebellion. It implies that judgment is not arbitrary or impulsive but is held in reserve until the appointed time, demonstrating His long-suffering before the execution of righteous retribution. This distinguishes divine wrath from human anger, emphasizing its purity and purposefulness.
3. **Wisdom and Obedience:** The positive use in [[Proverbs 28:7]] ("He who `{{H5201}}` the law is a discerning son") underscores that "keeping" in the sense of observing and adhering to God's commands is a mark of wisdom and leads to blessing. Conversely, the negative connotations of `{{H5201}}` anger or grudges highlight the destructive nature of unaddressed sin and the importance of a forgiving spirit for spiritual well-being.
### Summary
The Hebrew root `{{H5201}}` (nâṭar) fundamentally means "to guard" or "to keep." While it can positively denote the careful observance of God's law ([[Proverbs 28:7]]), its most ethically potent and frequent usage is in the figurative sense of "cherishing" or "retaining" emotions. This is most strikingly seen in the prohibition against "bearing a grudge" ([[Leviticus 19:18]]), which underscores the biblical call for forgiveness and a loving disposition within the community. Theologically, `{{H5201}}` also illuminates God's character, describing His righteous "reserving" of wrath ([[Nahum 1:2]]), which is a manifestation of His justice and patient sovereignty, distinct from human vindictiveness. Thus, `{{H5201}}` offers profound insights into both the human struggle with unforgiveness and the divine attribute of measured, holy judgment.
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