Original Word: נָתַץ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: nathats
Pronunciation: naw-thats'
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-thats')
KJV: beat down, break down (out), cast down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, throw down
NASB: broke down, tear down, tore down, torn down, broken down, pulled down, break
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to tear down

beat down, break down out, cast down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, throw down

A primitive root; to tear down -- beat down, break down (out), cast down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, throw down.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to pull down, break down
NASB Translation
break (1), broke down (15), broken (1), broken down (2), demolish (1), destroy (1), pull down (1), pulled down (2), razed (1), smashed (1), tear down (6), tore down (6), torn down (4).

נָתַץ verb pull down, break down (Late Hebrew Hoph`al, and derivatives; compare perhaps Ethiopic (with transposition and weakening of sibilant), destruere, demoliri, excidere Di⁶³⁴); —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳נ Judges 6:30 +, 3 plural נָָֽתְצוּ 2 Kings 25:10; Jeremiah 52:14, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יִתֹּץ Ezekiel 26:9 + Ezekiel 26:12 (Co, for ᵑ0 יִתְּצוּ); וַיִּתֹּץ Judges 9:45; 2 Kings 23:7; suffix יִתְּצֵנִי Job 19:10, יִתָּצְךָ Psalm 52:7; 1singular אֶתֹּץ Judges 8:9; 3masculine plural וַיִּתְּצוּ 2 Kings 10:27 (twice in verse); 2masculine plural תִּתֹּ֑צוּ Deuteronomy 7:5, תִּתֹּצ֑וּן Exodus 34:13; Judges 2:2; וַתִּתְֿצוּ Isaiah 22:2, etc.; Imperative נְתֹץ Psalm 58:7; Infinitive construct לִנְתֿוֺץ Jeremiah 1:10; Jeremiah 18:7, לִנְתֹֿץ Jeremiah 31:28 (on תֿ see Ges^{§ 45g}); Passive participle plural הַנְּתֻצִים Jeremiah 33:4; —

1 literally pull down a structure (accusative): altar Judges 2:2; Judges 6:30,31,32; Exodus 34:13 (J), Deuteronomy 7:5; 2 Kings 23:12; high place (במה) 2 Kings 23:8, בָּמָה + מִזְבֵּחַ 2 Kings 23:15; מַצֵּבָה 2 Kings 10:27; בֵּית הַבַּעַל 2 Kings 10:27; 2 Kings 11:18 2Chronicles 23:17, compare 2 Kings 23:7; a tower Judges 8:9,17, compare Ezekiel 26:9 (בְּחַרְבוֺתָיו); (any) house Isaiah 22:10; Ezekiel 26:12; Leviticus 14:45, so הַנְּחֻצִים Jeremiah 33:4 (strangely + אֶל, compare Gf Gie); city-wall Jeremiah 39:8; 2 Kings 25:10 = Jeremiah 52:14; city Judges 9:45. 2 figurative:

a. pull down a nation, break its power, וּלְהַאֲבִיד ׳וְלִנְתוֺשׁ וְלִנ (וְלַהֲרוֺס) (object not expressed) Jeremiah 1:10 (so Ecclus 49:7b), = Jeremiah 18:7, compare Jeremiah 31:18.

b. an individual, subject God, יִתְּצֵנִי סָבִיב Job 19:10, יִתָּצְךָ Psalm 52:7.

c. jaw-teeth of lions (metaphor) Psalm 58:7 (break down, break off, so only here, but see נָתַע).

Niph`al be pulled, broken, down: Perfect3plural ׳נִתְּצוּ מִמְּנֵי י Jeremiah 4:26 (of cities), so מִמֶּנּוּ ׳נ Nahum 1:6 (of rocks).

Pi`el Perfect3masculine singular נִתַּץ2Chronicles 33:3; 3 plural וְנִתְּצוּ Ezekiel 16:39 (consecutive); 2 masculine plural וְנִתַּצְתֶּם Deuteronomy 12:3; Imperfect3masculine singular וַיְנַתֵּץ2Chronicles 34:7; 3 masculine plural וַיְנַתְּצוּ2Chronicles 31:1 2t.; — tear down (chiefly late): with accusative altars Deuteronomy 12:3, + בָּמוֺת2Chronicles 31:1, + הַחַמָּנִים, etc., 2 Chronicles 34:4, + אֲשֵׁרִים 2 Chronicles 34:7; בָּמוֺת alone 2 Chronicles 33:3, רָמֹתַיִךְ Ezekiel 16:39; city wall 2Chronicles 36:19.

Pu`al be torn down: Perfect3masculine singular נֻתַּץ Judges 6:28 (of altar + אֲשֵׁרָה).

Hoph`al (or

Qal passive Ges^{§ 53u}) be broken down, broken, only Imperfect3masculine singular ייֻתָּ֑ץ Leviticus 11:35 (of תַּנּוּר, see Dr-Wh^Hpt, and כִּירַיִם, see above).

Hebrew Root and Scope of Usage

נָתַץ (Strong 5422) expresses the forceful dismantling of structures, whether physical, social, or spiritual. Across roughly forty-two Old Testament occurrences, it describes smashing altars (Judges 6:30), razing city walls (2 Kings 25:10), and toppling whole kingdoms (Jeremiah 1:10). The term frequently stands opposite בָּנָה “to build,” portraying the LORD as both demolisher and builder.

Cultic Reforms and Idolatry

The verb is prominent in narratives where covenant faithfulness demanded the destruction of false worship:
• Gideon “tore down the altar of Baal” (Judges 6:28–30).
• Asa “tore down the foreign altars and high places” (2 Chronicles 14:3).
• Jehoiada led the people who “tore down the house of Baal” (2 Chronicles 23:17).
• Hezekiah “broke into pieces the bronze serpent” and “tore down the high places” (2 Kings 18:4).
• Josiah “pulled down the altars” on the palace roof and “smashed them to powder” (2 Kings 23:12, 15).

In each case נָתַץ serves the positive goal of purifying worship and reaffirming exclusive devotion to the LORD.

Prophetic Commission and Judgment Oracles

Jeremiah’s call sets the theological tone: “See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down…to build and plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). Subsequent oracles apply the verb to:
• Urban devastation (Jeremiah 4:26; Lamentations 2:2).
• National discipline (Jeremiah 31:28; 45:4).
• Unmasking false security—walls “whitewashed with plaster” are “torn down” (Ezekiel 13:14).

The pairing of נָתַץ with verbs for planting or building underscores that judgment clears the ground for renewal, never nullifying God’s covenant promises.

Military and Political Upheaval

נָתַץ marks decisive moments of warfare:
• In Moab, Israel “tore down the cities” (2 Kings 3:25).
• Babylon “tore down the walls around Jerusalem” (2 Kings 25:10) and later “broke down all the fortified cities of Judah” (2 Chronicles 36:19).
• Against Tyre, Nebuchadnezzar “will tear down your towers” (Ezekiel 26:9).

The verb highlights that human fortifications are powerless before divine judgment executed through military means.

Promise of Restoration

Where נָתַץ announces devastation, a corresponding promise of rebuilding follows. Jeremiah hears God pledge, “So I will watch over them to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 31:28). The ruined city of Lamentations becomes the restored Jerusalem envisioned in later prophecies (cf. Ezekiel 36:36). Destruction, therefore, is a prelude to grace.

Theological and Ministry Implications

1. Holiness: God’s jealousy for pure worship demands that idolatrous structures—ancient or modern—be demolished.
2. Discipline and Hope: Tearing down serves a redemptive end; divine judgment intends ultimate restoration.
3. Preaching and Pastoral Care: Like Jeremiah, contemporary ministers must sometimes “tear down” error before they can “build” truth (compare 2 Corinthians 10:4–5).
4. Personal Sanctification: Believers cooperate with the Spirit in dismantling mental and moral strongholds that rival Christ’s lordship.

Related Vocabulary and Septuagint Links

נָתַץ often parallels הָרַס “break down” and שָׁבַר “shatter.” In the Septuagint it is usually rendered by καθαιρέω or κατεδαφίζω, providing a bridge to New Testament concepts of “casting down” arguments and every lofty thing raised against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Key References for Personal Study

Judges 6:28–30; 2 Kings 3:25; 18:4; 23:12–15; 25:10

2 Chronicles 14:3; 23:17; 31:1; 34:4–7; 36:19

Ezra 5:12

Nehemiah 2:13; 4:3

Job 19:10

Psalm 52:7

Isaiah 22:25

Jeremiah 1:10; 4:26; 31:28; 45:4

Lamentations 2:2

Ezekiel 13:14; 26:9, 12; 36:36

אֶתֹּ֖ץ אתץ הַנְּתֻצִ֕ים הנתצים וְלִנְת֖וֹץ וְלִנְת֛וֹץ וְנִתְּצ֣וּ וְנִתַּצְתֶּ֣ם וְנָתַ֞ץ וְנָתַ֣ץ וַֽיְנַתְּצ֔וּ וַֽיִּתְּצ֔וּ וַֽיִּתְּצֻ֔הוּ וַֽיִּתְּצֻ֗הוּ וַֽיִּתְּצוּ֙ וַיְנַתְּצ֣וּ וַיְנַתֵּ֣ץ וַיִּתֹּץ֙ וַתִּתְֿצוּ֙ וינתץ וינתצו ויתץ ויתצהו ויתצו ולנתוץ ונתץ ונתצו ונתצתם ותתצו יִתְּצֵ֣נִי יִתָּצְךָ֪ יִתֹּ֑צוּ יִתֹּ֖ץ יֻתָּ֖ץ יתץ יתצו יתצך יתצני נְתֹ֣ץ ׀ נִתְּצ֥וּ נִתְּצוּ֙ נִתַּ֖ץ נָֽתְצוּ֙ נָתַ֖ץ נָתַ֣ץ נָתַץ֙ נָתָ֑ץ נָתָֽצוּ׃ נֻתַּץ֙ נתץ נתצו נתצו׃ תִּתֹּ֔צוּ תִּתֹּצ֑וּן תִּתֹּצ֔וּן תתצו תתצון ’et·tōṣ ’ettōṣ etTotz han·nə·ṯu·ṣîm hannəṯuṣîm hannetuTzim nā·ṯā·ṣū nā·ṯaṣ nā·ṯāṣ nā·ṯə·ṣū nāṯaṣ nāṯāṣ nāṯāṣū naTatz naTatzu nāṯəṣū nateTzu nə·ṯōṣ nəṯōṣ neTotz nit·taṣ nit·tə·ṣū nittaṣ nitTatz nittəṣū nitteTzu nut·taṣ nuttaṣ nutTatz tit·tō·ṣū tit·tō·ṣūn tittōṣū tittōṣūn titTotzu tittoTzun vaiyitteTzu vaiyitteTzuhu vaiyitTotz vattitTzev vaynatTetz vaynatteTzu velinTotz venaTatz venittatzTem venitteTzu wat·tiṯṣəw wattiṯṣəw way·nat·tə·ṣū way·nat·têṣ way·yit·tə·ṣū way·yit·tə·ṣu·hū way·yit·tōṣ waynattêṣ waynattəṣū wayyittəṣū wayyittəṣuhū wayyittōṣ wə·lin·ṯō·wṣ wə·nā·ṯaṣ wə·nit·taṣ·tem wə·nit·tə·ṣū wəlinṯōwṣ wənāṯaṣ wənittaṣtem wənittəṣū yit·tā·ṣə·ḵā yit·tə·ṣê·nî yit·tō·ṣū yit·tōṣ yittāṣəḵā yittatzeCha yittəṣênî yitteTzeni yittōṣ yittōṣū yitTotz yitTotzu yut·tāṣ yuttāṣ yutTatzInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts