נָתַק
to tear off
Definition
The Hebrew verb נָתַק (nâthaq) fundamentally means 'to tear off, pull away, or break off by force.' It describes a violent or forceful separation, often implying the removal of something that was previously attached or connected. In Leviticus 22:24, it is used for the physical tearing or bruising of testicles in animals, prohibiting their sacrifice. In military contexts, such as Joshua 8:6 and Judges 20:31-32, it describes the act of drawing or luring enemy forces away from a secure position. The word can also describe the snapping of cords, as seen in the story of Samson where he breaks the ropes binding him (Judges 16:9, 12).
Biblical Usage
נָתַק is used 26 times, primarily in narrative books like Joshua, Judges, and Samuel, often in contexts of warfare, deception, or physical force. A common pattern is its use in military strategy to describe drawing an enemy away from a city or stronghold (Joshua 8:6, Judges 20:31-32). It is also used for the physical breaking of bonds or cords (Judges 16:9, 12) and, in one ritual/legal instance, for the mutilation of animals (Leviticus 22:24). The action is consistently forceful and deliberate.
Etymology
נָתַק is a primitive root. Its core meaning relates to a violent separation or tearing. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Arabic (nataqa) meaning 'to burst forth' or 'to utter,' and Akkadian (natāqu) meaning 'to break off,' supporting the idea of a sudden or forced break. The Hebrew meaning developed to encompass both literal physical tearing and the metaphorical 'drawing away' of people or attention.
Semantic Range
This word highlights themes of divine deliverance and human limitation. In the Samson narratives, his supernatural ability to נָתַק (break) his bonds becomes a sign of God's empowering spirit for deliverance (Judges 16:9, 12). Conversely, its use in military deception (Joshua 8) illustrates God's strategic guidance in securing victory for Israel. In Leviticus 22:24, its use in ritual law underscores the requirement for wholeness and lack of blemish in offerings to God, connecting physical integrity to spiritual acceptability. Understanding this forceful 'tearing away' enriches readings of God's power to liberate and the seriousness of approaching Him correctly.
In an ancient Near Eastern context, the action of 'tearing away' had strong connotations. Breaking bonds, like those of Samson, was a dramatic demonstration of superior strength, often seen as divine empowerment. In warfare, successfully 'drawing away' an enemy from a fortified city was a critical and clever tactical maneuver, as direct assault on city walls was extremely difficult. The ritual prohibition in Leviticus reflects a cultural and religious view that an animal offered to God must be physically whole, with any tearing or mutilation rendering it unfit, symbolizing a perfect offering.
קָרַע (qāraʿ, H7167) — to tear, rend (often cloth or garments, more associated with mourning or emotion); שָׁבַר (šāḇar, H7665) — to break, shatter (often used for objects, bones, or covenants); נָתַץ (nāṯaṣ, H5422) — to break down, tear down (used for walls, altars, buildings).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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