נְטִישָׁה (ne.ti.shah)
ne.ti.shah
tendril
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun netishah refers to the delicate, spreading shoots of a vine, often translated as "tendril" or "twig." It describes the slender, flexible parts that reach out to grasp support, capturing a sense of gentle extension rather than rigid strength. The word appears only three times in the Old Testament, primarily in the prophetic books of Jeremiah and Isaiah.
In these contexts, netishah is used metaphorically to describe Israel’s spiritual condition. When the prophets speak of the nation being like a vine with its tendrils cut off or failing to bear fruit, they are highlighting vulnerability and dependence. The imagery suggests that without proper support or care, these delicate extensions cannot survive or produce anything meaningful, illustrating the consequences of turning away from divine guidance.
The term’s rarity makes its usage significant. By focusing on such a specific botanical detail, the text emphasizes fragility and the need for connection. Translators often choose "tendril" to preserve this image of reaching, fragile growth that relies entirely on its environment to hold fast and thrive.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The image of a vine’s tendril reminds us that spiritual growth is often quiet and reaching. These slender shoots do not force their way forward; they extend gently, seeking connection and support. In our own lives, we may feel fragile or uncertain, much like these delicate parts of the plant. Yet this fragility is not a weakness to hide but a reminder of our need for something greater than ourselves.
When Scripture speaks of cutting off branches or failing tendrils, it highlights the pain of separation from divine care. But it also points to the beauty of being held and sustained. We are invited to rest in that support, knowing that even our smallest steps of faith matter deeply. This word encourages us to trust that we are never growing in isolation.
May you find peace in knowing that your spiritual journey is supported by grace. Even when growth feels slow or unseen, there is purpose in every reaching moment. You are held, and your life bears fruit in ways that may not be immediately visible but are deeply valued.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- vine tendrils/ its1×
- the/ tendrils1×
- tendrils/ your1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְטִֽישֹׁתַ֙יִ/ךְ֙1×
- נְטִ֣ישׁוֹתֶ֔י/הָ1×
- הַ/נְּטִישׁ֖וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 18:5
For before the harvest, when the blossom is over, and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and he will cut down and take away the spreading branches.
This verse uses the imagery of cutting sprigs to show how divine judgment removes fragile growth when it is no longer connected to its source.
-
Jeremiah 5:10
“Go up on her walls, and destroy, but don’t make a full end. Take away her branches, for they are not Yahweh’s.
Here, the command to take away branches reflects a breaking of relationship, emphasizing that without Yahweh, these delicate extensions have no true life.
-
Jeremiah 48:32
With more than the weeping of Jazer I will weep for you, vine of Sibmah. Your branches passed over the sea. They reached even to the sea of Jazer. The destroyer has fallen on your summer fruits and on your vintage.
The mention of branches reaching even to the sea illustrates how far spiritual reach can extend, making the subsequent loss all the more poignant and tragic.