נְטִיפָה
a pendant for the ears (especially of pearls)
Definition
The Hebrew word נְטִיפָה (nᵉṭîyphâh) refers to a specific type of jewelry, most precisely understood as a pendant or drop-shaped ornament. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes a luxurious item worn by women, likely as part of earrings or a necklace. In Judges 8:26, it is listed among the spoils taken from the defeated Midianite kings, emphasizing its value. In Isaiah 3:19, it appears in a list of extravagant adornments that the women of Jerusalem will have removed as a sign of God's judgment, highlighting its association with pride and opulence.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in lists of valuable items. In Judges 8:26, it is part of the 'pendants' or 'chains' taken as plunder, indicating its worth in ancient warfare and economy. In Isaiah 3:19, it is one of many 'finery' items mentioned in God's prophecy of stripping away Judah's arrogance. The usage consistently associates the word with precious, decorative wealth, particularly in the context of female adornment and societal status.
Etymology
The noun נְטִיפָה derives from the root verb נָטַף (nāṭap̱, H5197), which means 'to drop' or 'to drip.' This root connection suggests the object's physical form—a hanging, drop-shaped piece of jewelry, like a pearl or gemstone pendant. The imagery of dripping or dropping is apt for an earring or necklace ornament that dangles.
Semantic Range
While primarily a term for jewelry, נְטִיפָה gains theological significance in Isaiah 3:16-26. There, it is part of a catalog of luxury items that symbolize the pride, vanity, and misplaced trust of God's people. The prophecy that God will remove these ornaments serves as a powerful metaphor for divine judgment against superficiality and self-reliance, contrasting external adornment with the need for inner righteousness and dependence on God.
In the ancient Near East, jewelry like the נְטִיפָה was a key indicator of social status, wealth, and beauty. Such ornaments were not merely decorative but represented significant personal and familial assets. The specific mention in spoils of war (Judges 8:26) shows these items were a standard form of portable wealth. The Isaiah 3 list reflects a culture where elaborate female adornment was common among the elite, making its removal a profound public humiliation and sign of loss.
עֲגִיל (ʿăḡîl, H5694) — a general term for 'earring' or 'ring,' less specific in shape. נֶזֶם (nezem, H5141) — another common word for 'ring,' often for the nose or ears, denoting a circular form rather than a drop.
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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