נָתַן (na.tan)
na.tan
to give: give
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1,513 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nathan is one of the most common words in the Old Testament, appearing over fifteen hundred times. Its core meaning is simply "to give," but this basic action covers a vast range of human and divine activity. In Genesis, God gives the earth to humanity for stewardship, while in Deuteronomy, Moses describes how Israel might give gifts or pay wages. The word captures the transfer of something from one person to another, whether that is a physical object, a right, or an abstract concept.
Beyond simple giving, nathan often means "to put" or "to set." This usage appears when God sets a sign in the sky or when a leader appoints someone to a specific role. It can also mean "to make" or "to constitute," as when a covenant is established between parties. The flexibility of the term allows it to describe concrete acts like placing an item on a table, as well as legal or spiritual acts like granting permission or assigning a destiny.
A key feature of nathan is its use in passive forms to show that something has been bestowed upon someone. In the Niphal stem, a person might be "given" into the hands of an enemy or "given" as a wife. This highlights that giving is not always an active choice by the giver but can be a state of being granted or entrusted. Translators often use different English verbs like "appoint," "set," or "give" to capture these varied contexts, reflecting the word's central role in describing how relationships and responsibilities are formed in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word nathan carries a simple but profound meaning: to give. It appears over fifteen hundred times in the Old Testament, describing everything from God providing food to humanity to leaders appointing officials. This verb reminds us that life itself is a series of gifts. When we read about God giving the earth to Adam and Eve or promising land to Abraham, we see a Creator who actively shares His resources and blessings with His creation.
Understanding nathan helps us recognize the generosity woven into Scripture. It is not just about handing over objects but also about establishing relationships and responsibilities. God gives covenants, He gives signs like the rainbow, and He gives people into our care. This perspective invites gratitude for what we have received and encourages us to share freely with others, mirroring the divine pattern of giving found throughout the Bible.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1,513 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he gave85×
- to/ give66×
- he gave53×
- I will give49×
- he has given47×
- you will give42×
- and/ he put39×
- [is] about to give38×
- and/ I will give34×
- and/ you will put31×
- give29×
- and/ you will give24×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נֹתֵ֥ן41×
- נָתַ֥ן36×
- וַ/יִּתֵּ֨ן30×
- וַ/יִּתֶּן\־26×
- נָתַ֣ן25×
- נָתַ֨ן23×
- לָ/תֵ֥ת22×
- וַ/יִּתֵּ֣ן22×
- וַ/יִּתֵּ֥ן21×
- יִתֵּ֣ן20×
- נָתַ֥תִּי18×
- נָתַ֣תִּי18×
Key Verses
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Genesis 1:29
God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food.
This verse establishes the foundational act of God providing sustenance for humanity, showing nathan as an act of life-giving provision.
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Genesis 12:7
Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to Yahweh, who had appeared to him.
Here God promises land to Abraham's offspring, illustrating how nathan is used to describe the granting of inheritance and future hope.
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Genesis 9:13
I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.
God sets a rainbow in the clouds as a sign, demonstrating the use of nathan to mean 'to set' or 'place' something visible as a promise.
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Genesis 15:18
In that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I have given this land to your offspring, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates:
This passage records God making a covenant by stating He has given the land, highlighting the legal and binding nature of this divine gift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does nathan mean in the Old Testament?
How is nathan different from other words for giving?
Why does nathan sometimes mean 'to set' or 'put'?
Every Occurrence (1,513 verses across 37 books)
Genesis 131 verses
God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light to the earth,
Genesis 1:29God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree,…
Genesis 3:6When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be…
Genesis 3:12The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
Genesis 4:12From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the…
Genesis 9:2The fear of you and the dread of you will be on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the sky. Everything…
Genesis 9:3Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. As I gave you the green herb, I have given everything to you.
Genesis 9:12God said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with…
Genesis 9:13I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.
Genesis 12:7Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to Yahweh, who…
Genesis 13:15for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever.
Genesis 13:17Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its width; for I will give it to you.”
Genesis 14:20Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.
Genesis 14:21The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.”
Genesis 15:2Abram said, “Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, since I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of…
Genesis 15:3Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”
Genesis 15:7He said to Abram, “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it.”
Genesis 15:10He brought him all these, and divided them in the middle, and laid each half opposite the other; but he didn’t divide…
Genesis 15:18In that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I have given this land to your offspring, from the river of…
Genesis 16:3Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, and…
Genesis 16:5Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had…
Genesis 17:2I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”
Genesis 17:5Your name will no more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of…
Genesis 17:6I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.
Genesis 17:8I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an…
Genesis 17:16I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be a mother of…
Genesis 17:20As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him…
Genesis 18:7Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it.
Genesis 18:8He took butter, milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and…
Genesis 20:6God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld…
Genesis 20:14Abimelech took sheep and cattle, male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored Sarah, his…
Genesis 20:16To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of…
Genesis 21:14Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a container of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her…
Genesis 21:27Abraham took sheep and cattle, and gave them to Abimelech. Those two made a covenant.
Genesis 23:4“I am a stranger and a foreigner living with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my…
Genesis 23:9that he may sell me the cave of Machpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field. For the full price let him…
Genesis 23:11“No, my lord, hear me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the children of…
Genesis 23:13He spoke to Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, “But if you will, please hear me. I will give the…
Genesis 24:7Yahweh, the God of heaven—who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who…
Genesis 24:32The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his…
Genesis 24:35Yahweh has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. Yahweh has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male…
Genesis 24:36Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him.
Genesis 24:41Then you will be clear from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don’t give her to you, you shall be clear…
Genesis 24:53The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave…
Genesis 25:5Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac,
Genesis 25:6but Abraham gave gifts to the sons of Abraham’s concubines. While he still lived, he sent them away from Isaac his son,…
Genesis 25:34Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 26:3Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For I will give to you, and to your offspring, all these…
Genesis 26:4I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the sky, and will give all these lands to your offspring. In your…
Genesis 27:17She gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
Genesis 27:28God give you of the dew of the sky, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and new wine.
Genesis 27:37Isaac answered Esau, “Behold, I have made him your lord, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants. I have…
Genesis 28:4and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your offspring with you, that you may inherit the land where you…
Genesis 28:13Behold, Yahweh stood above it, and said, “I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. I will…
Genesis 28:20Jacob vowed a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to…
Genesis 28:22then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God’s house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give…
Genesis 29:19Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”
Genesis 29:24Laban gave Zilpah his servant to his daughter Leah for a servant.
Genesis 29:26Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.
Genesis 29:27Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me for…
Genesis 29:28Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.
Genesis 29:29Laban gave Bilhah, his servant, to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.
Genesis 29:33She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me…
Genesis 30:4She gave him Bilhah her servant as wife, and Jacob went in to her.
Genesis 30:6Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore she called his name…
Genesis 30:9When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife.
Genesis 30:14Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother, Leah. Then…
Genesis 30:18Leah said, “God has given me my hire, because I gave my servant to my husband.” She named him Issachar.
Genesis 30:26Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service with which I have…
Genesis 30:28He said, “Appoint me your wages, and I will give it.”
Genesis 30:31Laban said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I…
Genesis 30:35That day, he removed the male goats that were streaked and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and…
Genesis 30:40Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the streaked and all the black in Laban’s flock. He…
Genesis 31:7Your father has deceived me, and changed my wages ten times, but God didn’t allow him to hurt me.
Genesis 31:9Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock, and given them to me.
Genesis 34:8Hamor talked with them, saying, “The soul of my son, Shechem, longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.
Genesis 34:9Make marriages with us. Give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves.
Genesis 34:11Shechem said to her father and to her brothers, “Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you will tell me I will…
Genesis 34:12Ask me a great amount for a dowry, and I will give whatever you ask of me, but give me the young lady as a wife.”
Genesis 34:14and said to them, “We can’t do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised; for that is a reproach to us.
Genesis 34:16then will we give our daughters to you; and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will…
Genesis 34:21“These men are peaceful with us. Therefore let them live in the land and trade in it. For behold, the land is large…
Genesis 35:4They gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob…
Genesis 35:12The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, and to your offspring after you I will give the…
Genesis 38:9Onan knew that the offspring wouldn’t be his; and when he went in to his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the…
Genesis 38:14She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate…
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 38:17He said, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” She said, “Will you give me a pledge, until you send it?”
Genesis 38:18He said, “What pledge will I give you?” She said, “Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” He…
Genesis 38:26Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew…
Genesis 38:28When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This came…
Genesis 39:4Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he…
Genesis 39:8But he refused, and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, my master doesn’t know what is with me in the house, and he has…
Genesis 39:20Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound, and he was…
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 39:22The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there,…
Genesis 40:3He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
Genesis 40:11Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into…
Genesis 40:13Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup…
Genesis 40:21He restored the chief cup bearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand;
Genesis 41:10Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, with the chief…
Genesis 41:41Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
Genesis 41:42Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen,…
Genesis 41:43He made him ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the…
Genesis 41:45Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife.…
Genesis 41:48He gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities. He…
Genesis 42:25Then Joseph gave a command to fill their bags with grain, and to restore each man’s money into his sack, and to give…
Genesis 42:27As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey food in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the…
Genesis 42:30“The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly with us, and took us for spies of the country.
Genesis 42:34Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. So I will…
Genesis 42:37Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “Kill my two sons, if I don’t bring him to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will…
Genesis 43:14May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am…
Genesis 43:23He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks.…
Genesis 43:24The man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys…
Genesis 45:2He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.
Genesis 45:18Take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will…
Genesis 45:21The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision…
Genesis 45:22He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes…
Genesis 46:18These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob, even sixteen souls.
Genesis 46:25These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob: all the souls were…
Genesis 47:11Joseph placed his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in…
Genesis 47:16Joseph said, “Give me your livestock; and I will give you food for your livestock, if your money is gone.”
Genesis 47:17They brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, and for the flocks, and…
Genesis 47:19Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be…
Genesis 47:22Only he didn’t buy the land of the priests, for the priests had a portion from Pharaoh, and ate their portion which…
Genesis 47:24It will happen at the harvests, that you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts will be your own, for seed of…
Genesis 48:4and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples, and…
Genesis 48:9Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” He said, “Please bring them to me, and I…
Genesis 48:22Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword…
Genesis 49:20“Asher’s food will be rich. He will produce royal dainties.
Genesis 49:21“Naphtali is a doe set free, who bears beautiful fawns.