נָטָה (na.tah)
na.tah
to stretch
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 176 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nātâh describes the physical act of stretching or extending something, such as a hand, a tent, or a measuring line. It appears frequently in the Old Testament to depict God reaching out in judgment or deliverance, as when He stretches out His hand over the sea in Exodus 14:16, or when a king extends his spear toward an enemy in Joshua 8:18. This concrete imagery grounds the word’s broader range of meanings.
Beyond physical extension, nātâh carries the nuance of bending or inclining, often with moral implications. It can describe turning aside from a straight path, as seen when a heart is inclined toward evil, or perverting justice. The sources highlight this dual nature: the same root that stretches out a tent in Genesis 12:8 also describes bowing down in reverence or turning away in rebellion, linking physical posture to spiritual orientation.
Its etymological roots suggest an action of pulling or drawing out, which explains its use for spreading a net or pitching a tent. Translators render it variously as "stretch," "extend," "pitch," or "incline" depending on context, reflecting how the Hebrew mind connected physical movement with moral direction. The word’s versatility allows it to bridge the tangible world of tents and hands with the invisible realm of intent and loyalty.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word nātâh describes the physical act of stretching or extending something, such as a hand, a tent, or a measuring line. It appears frequently in the Old Testament to depict God reaching out in judgment or deliverance, as when He stretches out His hand over the sea in Exodus 14:16, or when a king extends his spear toward an enemy in Joshua 8:18. This concrete imagery grounds the word’s broader range of meanings.
Beyond physical extension, nātâh carries the nuance of bending or inclining, often with moral implications. It can describe turning aside from a straight path, as seen when a heart is inclined toward evil, or perverting justice. The sources highlight this dual nature: the same root that stretches out a tent in Genesis 12:8 also describes bowing down in reverence or turning away in rebellion, linking physical posture to spiritual orientation.
Its etymological roots suggest an action of pulling or drawing out, which explains its use for spreading a net or pitching a tent. Translators render it variously as "stretch," "extend," "pitch," or "incline" depending on context, reflecting how the Hebrew mind connected physical movement with moral direction. The word’s versatility allows it to bridge the tangible world of tents and hands with the invisible realm of intent and loyalty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 176 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- incline12×
- outstretched8×
- and/ he stretched out7×
- <the>/ outstretched7×
- they inclined6×
- to/ turn aside5×
- stretch out5×
- and/ he pitched5×
- he had pitched4×
- and/ it turned aside4×
- you turn aside3×
- turn aside3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יֵּ֣ט5×
- נָטָ֣ה4×
- נְטוּיָ֔ה4×
- וַ/יֵּ֨ט4×
- וַ/יֵּ֥ט4×
- הַט\־4×
- הַ/נְּטוּיָ֑ה4×
- הִטּ֣וּ4×
- נֹטֶ֣ה3×
- נָטָ֥ה3×
- נָטָ֖ה3×
- נָֽטָה\־3×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 14:21
Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Yahweh caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
This verse captures the decisive moment of deliverance where Moses stretches out his hand, demonstrating God's power to divide the sea and create a path for His people.
-
Genesis 12:8
He left from there to go to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to Yahweh and called on Yahweh’s name.
Here the word describes Abraham pitching his tent, showing how the act of extending a dwelling place was tied to building an altar and calling on God's name.
-
Exodus 7:5
The Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh when I stretch out my hand on Egypt, and bring the children of Israel out from among them.”
God declares He will stretch out His hand on Egypt so that the Egyptians will know He is Yahweh, linking the physical act to divine revelation and authority.
-
Genesis 35:21
Israel traveled, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder.
Israel spreads his tent beyond the tower of Eder, illustrating the word's use for establishing a temporary home in a specific geographic location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word nātâh mean?
How is nātâh different from other words for 'extend'?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Why is this word important for understanding biblical imagery?
Every Occurrence (176 verses across 25 books)
Genesis 9 verses
He left from there to go to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai…
Genesis 24:14Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says,…
Genesis 26:25He built an altar there, and called on Yahweh’s name, and pitched his tent there. There Isaac’s servants dug a well.
Genesis 33:19He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father,…
Genesis 35:21Israel traveled, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder.
Genesis 38:1At that time, Judah went down from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.
Genesis 38:16He turned to her by the way, and said, “Please come, let me come in to you,” for he didn’t know that she was his…
Genesis 39:21But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Genesis 49:15He saw a resting place, that it was good, the land, that it was pleasant. He bows his shoulder to the burden, and…