Lexical Summary neta: Plant, shoot, or sapling Original Word: נֶטַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance plant From nata'; a plant; collectively, a plantation; abstractly, a planting -- plant. see HEBREW nata' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nata Definition plantation, planting, plant NASB Translation plant (3), plants (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [נֶ֫טַע] noun [masculine] plantation, planting, plant; — absolute נָ֑טַע Job 14:9; construct נְמַע Isaiah 5:7; suffix נִטְעֵךְ Isaiah 17:11; plural construct נִטְעֵי Isaiah 17:10; — 1 plantation Isaiah 5:7 (figurative of Judab, planted by ׳י); Isaiah 17:10 (figurative of idolatry), so 2 act of planting Isaiah 17:11. 3 plant Job 14:9 (in simile). Topical Lexicon OverviewThe Hebrew noun נֶטַע (netaʿ) portrays a deliberately cultivated young plant or sapling. Scripture employs it both literally and figuratively to emphasize careful planting, tender nurture, and the expectation of fruit. Biblical Usage • Job 14:9 – “At the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a sapling.” The fragile netaʿ illustrates the possibility of renewed life where death had seemed final. • Isaiah 5:7 – “The vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are His pleasant plant.” Israel is God’s cherished planting, cultivated for covenant fruitfulness. • Isaiah 17:10 – “Though you cultivate lovely plants and set out imported seed.” Isaiah 17:11 – “In the morning you make your seed to sprout, yet the harvest will vanish in the day of disease and incurable pain.” These paired verses expose the vanity of self-reliant planting apart from God. Theological and Prophetic Significance Covenant Relationship Netaʿ underscores that Israel’s existence rests on divine initiative: the LORD Himself chose, transplanted, and tended His people, expecting justice and righteousness as fruit. Warning against Syncretism Isaiah’s oracles confront Judah’s attempt to secure prosperity through foreign alliances and pagan practices. Lovely plants without covenant roots will wither under judgment. Resurrection Hope Job’s botanical image hints at God’s power to revive what is dead. The sapling prefigures broader biblical revelation culminating in bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:42–44). Messianic Echoes The word harmonizes with Isaiah 11:1, where the Messiah is “a shoot from the stump of Jesse.” The Servant-King embodies the perfect planting, guaranteeing fruit for the nations. Imagery across Scripture Old Testament Vineyard Motif From Psalm 80:8 to Isaiah 27:2–6, Israel is a vine or planting of the LORD. Netaʿ contributes to this vineyard theology, accentuating God’s ownership and expectation. New Testament Fulfillment Jesus declares, “I am the true vine” (John 15:1). Believers become living branches, entirely dependent on His life-giving sap. Paul concurs: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Eschatological Consummation Revelation 22:2 culminates the theme with the tree of life bearing eternal fruit—God’s plantings flourishing forever in the new creation. Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship Dependence on God Isaiah 17 warns against building ministries on pragmatic “imported seed.” Authentic growth springs only from God’s sovereign planting. Patient Cultivation Like the netaʿ that revives slowly “at the scent of water,” spiritual maturation often unfolds quietly. Faithful teaching, prayer, and sacramental life provide continual nourishment. Fruit as Evidence The pleasant plant in Isaiah 5:7 calls the church to bear righteousness that matches its privileged planting. Leaves without fruit invite divine pruning (John 15:2). Hope for Renewal Even stumps can sprout. Pastors, parents, and intercessors labor with confidence that God can resurrect cold hearts and dying congregations. Practical Application • Root every effort in the gospel rather than technique. Conclusion Though appearing only four times, נֶטַע gathers themes of election, nurture, warning, and restoration. It beckons the faithful to abide in the Master Gardener, whose intentional plantings will blossom into an everlasting harvest. Forms and Transliterations נְטַ֖ע נִטְעֵ֣י נִטְעֵךְ֙ נָֽטַע׃ נטע נטע׃ נטעי נטעך nā·ṭa‘ Nata nāṭa‘ nə·ṭa‘ neTa nəṭa‘ niṭ‘ê niṭ‘êḵ niṭ·‘ê niṭ·‘êḵ niteCh nitEiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 14:9 HEB: קָצִ֣יר כְּמוֹ־ נָֽטַע׃ NAS: sprigs like a plant. KJV: and bring forth boughs like a plant. INT: sprigs like A plant Isaiah 5:7 Isaiah 17:10 Isaiah 17:11 4 Occurrences |
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