a primitive root; to tear away; destroy, forsake, pluck (out, up, by the roots), pull up, root out (up), [idiom] utterly. s
Transliteration:nâthash
Pronunciation:naw-thash'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The root נָתַשׁ (nâthash) fundamentally conveys the action of "tearing away" or "uprooting." Its primary sense is a forceful removal from a fixed position, much like pulling a plant out of the ground by its roots. This physical act extends metaphorically to encompass concepts of destruction, expulsion, and complete removal. The nuance often implies a thorough, decisive, and irreversible separation or eradication. It can describe the removal of people from a land, the destruction of structures, or the tearing down of established entities. The idiom "utterly" in the base definition suggests the comprehensive nature of this tearing away, leaving nothing behind or ensuring complete obliteration of the connection.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb נָתַשׁ (nâthash) appears numerous times in the Hebrew Bible, frequently in contexts related to divine judgment, covenant curses, and the consequences of Israel's disobedience.
* **Divine Judgment and Expulsion:** A prominent usage is in the context of God uprooting nations or Israel from their land. In [[Deuteronomy 28:63]], as part of the covenant curses, God warns that just as He rejoiced over them to make them prosper, so He will rejoice over them to "pluck them up" (יִתּוֹשׁ) from the land. This highlights the severe and active role of God in their displacement. Similarly, in [[1 Kings 14:15]], God threatens to "root up" (וְנָתַשׁ) Israel from the good land He gave to their fathers due to their idolatry. This imagery emphasizes the complete severance of their connection to the land, a foundational element of their covenant identity.
* **Prophetic Warnings of Destruction:** Prophets employ נָתַשׁ (nâthash) to describe the impending destruction of kingdoms and cities. In [[Jeremiah 1:10]], God commissions Jeremiah with authority "to pluck up" (לִנְתוֹשׁ) and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant. Here, "plucking up" is the initial, destructive act, preceding any rebuilding. This verse encapsulates the dual nature of prophetic ministry: both judgment and restoration. The phrase "pluck up" is often paired with other verbs of destruction, reinforcing the idea of total eradication, as seen in [[Jeremiah 18:7]] and [[Jeremiah 24:6]].
* **Physical Removal:** While often metaphorical, the word can also describe physical removal. For instance, [[Proverbs 15:25]] states that "The LORD will tear down (יִתּוֹשׁ) the house of the proud." This implies a complete dismantling or demolition.
* **Forsaking (Less Common Nuance):** The definition includes "forsake," though this is a less direct application. It might imply a complete disengagement or abandonment, akin to tearing oneself away from a commitment or relationship, though the primary sense remains active removal rather than passive abandonment.
The consistent theme across these occurrences is an act of decisive, often violent, and comprehensive removal or destruction, frequently orchestrated by God as a consequence of sin or as part of His sovereign plan.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of נָתַשׁ (nâthash) includes several related Hebrew terms that convey notions of destruction, removal, or displacement, yet each with its own nuance:
* **`{{H5428}}` נָתַשׁ (nâthash) vs. `{{H2040}}` הָרַס (haras):** While both can mean "destroy," הָרַס (haras) typically refers to the breaking down or demolition of structures, often with a focus on ruin. נָתַשׁ (nâthash) emphasizes the act of "uprooting" or "tearing away from a foundation," suggesting a more fundamental and complete removal from a source or place of origin.
* **`{{H5428}}` נָתַשׁ (nâthash) vs. `{{H3627}}` כָּלָה (kalah):** כָּלָה (kalah) means "to complete, finish, consume, bring to an end." It speaks to the cessation or termination of existence. נָתַשׁ (nâthash) describes the *means* of bringing something to an end, specifically through removal or uprooting.
* **`{{H5428}}` נָתַשׁ (nâthash) vs. `{{H6789}}` צָמַת (tsamath):** צָמַת (tsamath) means "to cut off, destroy, exterminate." It often implies the obliteration of a lineage or a complete end to existence, focusing on the cessation of life or presence. נָתַשׁ (nâthash) focuses more on the physical act of removal from a place or foundation.
* **`{{H5428}}` נָתַשׁ (nâthash) vs. `{{H5254}}` נָסַח (nasach):** נָסַח (nasach) also means "to tear away, pluck up," and is very close in meaning to נָתַשׁ (nâthash). Both are used in contexts of divine judgment and expelling people from land. The precise distinction can be subtle, sometimes a matter of poetic variation or specific contextual emphasis. Both convey a forceful removal.
The concept of "uprooting" or "plucking up" is often contrasted with "planting" (`{{H5193}}` נָטַע - nâtaʿ), as seen powerfully in [[Jeremiah 1:10]] and [[Jeremiah 24:6]], highlighting the divine prerogative to establish and disestablish, to give life and to take it away from a place of dwelling.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of נָתַשׁ (nâthash) is profound, primarily underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and His role as the ultimate arbiter of nations and individuals.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** The frequent use of נָתַשׁ (nâthash) in the context of God's actions emphasizes His power to establish and disestablish, to bless and to curse. When nations or Israel are "uprooted," it is a direct consequence of their disobedience and a manifestation of divine judgment. This highlights the conditional nature of the covenant with Israel, where faithfulness leads to security in the land, and unfaithfulness leads to expulsion.
* **Consequences of Sin:** The imagery of being "uprooted" vividly portrays the devastating consequences of sin, particularly idolatry and covenant breaking. It signifies a loss of security, identity, and divine favor, akin to a tree torn from its life-sustaining soil. This is not merely a physical displacement but a spiritual and existential crisis.
* **Prophetic Message of Hope and Restoration:** Paradoxically, while primarily a word of judgment, נָתַשׁ (nâthash) also sets the stage for restoration. In [[Jeremiah 1:10]], the call to "pluck up and break down" is immediately followed by "to build and to plant." This demonstrates that God's judgment, while severe, is often preparatory for a new work of grace and re-establishment. The uprooting is not always final destruction but can be a purging that allows for future growth and a renewed covenant relationship, as seen in the promise of return to the land after exile.
* **The Fragility of Human Establishment:** The repeated use of נָתַשׁ (nâthash) reminds humanity of the impermanence of all human endeavors and establishments apart from God's sustaining hand. Kingdoms, cities, and even national identities can be "torn away" by divine decree, underscoring the need for humility and reliance on the Creator rather than on human strength or institutions.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb נָתַשׁ (nâthash, `{{H5428}}`) fundamentally signifies "to tear away" or "to uproot." Its semantic range extends to encompass concepts of destruction, expulsion, and complete removal, often implying a forceful and decisive action. In biblical contexts, it is predominantly used to describe God's sovereign acts of judgment, particularly the "uprooting" of nations or Israel from their land as a consequence of sin and covenant unfaithfulness. Prophets like Jeremiah employ this term to convey both the severity of impending destruction and, by contrast, the potential for future divine rebuilding and replanting. The word underscores God's absolute authority over the rise and fall of kingdoms, the dire consequences of disobedience, and the ultimate fragility of human establishments. While primarily denoting judgment, its pairing with verbs of planting and building in prophetic literature also subtly points to a divine purpose that extends beyond mere destruction, hinting at the possibility of restoration following a necessary purging.
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