נָטָה

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of applicat…

Definition

The Hebrew verb נָטָה (nâṭâh) fundamentally means 'to stretch out' or 'to extend,' often describing a physical action like stretching out a hand (Exodus 9:22) or pitching a tent (Genesis 12:8). It also carries the metaphorical sense of 'to incline' or 'to turn,' which can be neutral, as in inclining one's ear to listen (Psalm 17:6), or morally negative, describing turning aside from God's path (Deuteronomy 5:32). In some contexts, it implies bending or applying something, such as applying one's heart to understanding (Proverbs 2:2).

Biblical Usage

נָטָה is used over 200 times across most Old Testament genres. It frequently appears in narrative and poetic books. In historical books, it often describes the physical action of extending a hand or pitching a tent (Genesis 12:8, Exodus 9:22). In wisdom and prophetic literature, it commonly conveys the metaphorical sense of inclining the heart or turning away from God's commands (Proverbs 2:2, Jeremiah 7:24). The Psalms use it for both God stretching out the heavens (Psalm 104:2) and the psalmist inclining their ear to God's instruction.

Etymology

נָטָה is a primitive root. Its core meaning relates to stretching, extending, or bending. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Arabic, with similar meanings of stretching or inclining. The semantic range in Hebrew developed from the concrete physical action to include abstract, moral, and relational applications of turning or applying.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it describes both divine and human actions. God is depicted as stretching out the heavens (Isaiah 40:22) and His hand in power and salvation. For humans, it highlights the fundamental choice to incline one's heart toward God's wisdom (Proverbs 2:2) or to turn aside from His statutes (Deuteronomy 5:32), making it a key verb for understanding covenant loyalty and moral agency in the Hebrew Bible.

The action of 'stretching out' a hand or 'pitching' a tent were everyday physical realities. The metaphorical extension to moral 'bending' or 'turning' would have been intuitively understood in an agrarian and nomadic culture where straight paths and correctly pitched tents were matters of practical necessity and safety.

שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — focuses more on sending out or extending something away from oneself, while נָטָה emphasizes the act of stretching or inclining itself. פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — means to turn or face, often a change in physical direction, whereas נָטָה can imply a more deliberate bending or applying. הָטָה (hâṭâh, H5186 note: same Strong's, a byform) — essentially identical in meaning, a variant form of the same root.

Word Details

Scripture References