נָטַל (na.tal)
na.tal
to lift
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb natals describes the physical act of lifting or bearing something, whether it is a person, an object, or a burden. In its basic Qal stem, it conveys simple movement upward or across, such as lifting an item onto another surface. The Piel stem intensifies this meaning to suggest sustained support or carrying, emphasizing the weight being held rather than just the initial motion.
This word appears in only four verses, primarily within Isaiah and Lamentations, where it often carries significant theological weight. For instance, in Isaiah 46:4, God uses natals to describe His enduring care, promising that He will bear up and sustain His people even into old age. The contrast between the static idols of Babylon and the active, lifting God highlights a key distinction in how divine power is portrayed in these texts.
Its rarity in Scripture makes each occurrence stand out. When used for human actions, it might describe lifting a stone or a weapon; when applied to God, it becomes a metaphor for faithful preservation. The sources note its Aramaic equivalent, netal, which shares this root sense of lifting, showing consistency across related Semitic languages.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word natals captures the simple yet profound act of lifting or bearing weight. While it can describe moving a physical object, its most striking use appears when applied to God Himself. In Isaiah 40:15, we see this power on a cosmic scale, where He lifts up islands as if they were mere specks of dust. This imagery reminds us that the same strength which holds the world together is available for our personal burdens.
When life feels heavy, this word offers a quiet comfort. It suggests that God does not just observe our struggles from a distance but actively carries them. As seen in Isaiah 63:9, He bears His people through affliction and pity. This is not a distant deity but one who intimately sustains us, offering stability when we feel overwhelmed by the weight of our circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he lifts1×
- he has laid [it]1×
- and/ he lifted up/ them1×
- [am] laying1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נוֹטֵ֣ל1×
- נָטַ֖ל1×
- יִטּֽוֹל\׃1×
- וַֽ/יְנַטְּלֵ֥/ם1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 40:15
Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance. Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing.
This verse highlights God's immense power by showing Him lifting islands with ease, contrasting His strength with human limitation.
-
Isaiah 63:9
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and in his pity he redeemed them. He bore them, and carried them all the days of old.
Here the word describes God's personal, sustained care as He bears and carries His people through their affliction.
-
Lamentations 3:28
Let him sit alone and keep silence, because he has laid it on him.
The verb indicates that the speaker has accepted a burden placed upon him, reflecting a posture of humility and silence before God.