### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **naʻămân**, represented by `{{H5282}}`, means **pleasant**. Derived from a root word for pleasantness, it appears just **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, making its single usage particularly significant.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H5282}}` is in [[Isaiah 17:10]], where the prophet rebukes Israel for having forgotten God. The verse states that because they have forgotten the "rock of thy strength," they will "plant **pleasant** plants." In this context, the word describes agricultural efforts that are disconnected from God, representing a turn towards worldly or foreign practices that seem appealing but are ultimately futile.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of planting is central to understanding `{{H5282}}`, and related words provide crucial context:
* `{{H5193}}` **nâṭaʻ** (to plant): This root word is used for the action of planting in [[Isaiah 17:10]]. It can be used both literally, as in "a time to **plant**" [[Ecclesiastes 3:2]], and figuratively, as when God promises to **plant** His people Israel [[2 Samuel 7:10]] or even the heavens [[Isaiah 51:16]].
* `{{H5194}}` **neṭaʻ** (plant): This is the noun for what is being planted. In [[Isaiah 17:10]], it is used for the "**plants**" that are described as pleasant. This contrasts with [[Isaiah 5:7]], where the men of Judah are called God's "pleasant **plant**," showing a distinction between what man plants in disobedience and what God establishes in righteousness.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H5282}}` is derived entirely from its pointed use in Isaiah's prophecy.
* **Symbol of Futile Works:** The "pleasant plants" are a direct consequence of forgetting God [[Isaiah 17:10]]. They symbolize human endeavors and foreign allegiances that are chosen over reliance on God. The pleasantness is superficial and destined for failure.
* **Idolatrous Cultivation:** Paired with the phrase "strange slips" in the same verse, these pleasant plants represent the cultivation of foreign, idolatrous worship. It highlights a deliberate turning away from the God of salvation to things that are aesthetically pleasing but spiritually empty.
* **A Warning Against Forgetfulness:** The word serves as a key part of a divine warning. The act of planting something described as **pleasant** `{{H5282}}` is the primary evidence of Israel's spiritual amnesia, illustrating the direct link between forgetting God and pursuing fruitless, worldly attractions.
### Summary
In summary, while appearing only once, `{{H5282}}` **naʻămân** carries significant metaphorical weight. It is not a general term for something nice, but a specific descriptor for the deceptive allure of things pursued when God is forgotten. Within the context of [[Isaiah 17:10]], this word for "pleasant" becomes a powerful symbol of misplaced devotion and the empty harvest that results from ignoring the true source of strength and salvation.
TRV