נָתַץ (na.tats)
na.tats
to tear
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 35 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nathats describes the forceful act of tearing down or breaking apart a structure. It appears thirty-five times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Judges, Kings, and Jeremiah. The word conveys physical destruction, often referring to the demolition of altars, idols, houses, or city walls. In Judges 6:28, for instance, it describes how Gideon’s neighbors tore down his father’s altar to Baal, marking a decisive break from previous religious practices.
While its primary sense is literal demolition, the term also carries metaphorical weight. Psalm 52:7 uses it to describe God overthrowing those who trust in their own wealth, and Job 19:10 applies it to the destruction of one’s home by divine judgment. This dual usage highlights a theological theme: physical structures can represent spiritual alliances or personal security, both of which are subject to being dismantled. The verb’s strength lies in its finality; it is not merely repairing but completely removing what was built.
Translators render nathats as "break down," "destroy," or "pull down" depending on the context. In 2 Kings 23:15, King Josiah uses it to describe the destruction of an altar at Bethel, fulfilling earlier prophecy. The consistent thread across these varied occurrences is the idea of undoing established order through decisive action. Whether applied to stone and timber or to human pride, the word emphasizes total removal rather than simple damage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nathats describes a forceful tearing down or breaking apart of structures. In the Old Testament, it often refers to the demolition of altars, idols, houses, or city walls. This action is not merely about repair but complete removal. It signifies a decisive break from previous practices or alliances that were contrary to God’s will.
For your faith, this word reminds us that some things must be dismantled for true worship to flourish. Just as Gideon’s neighbors tore down the altar of Baal (Judges 6:28), we may need to remove habits, relationships, or mindsets that hinder our closeness with God. This is not an act of anger, but of obedience and renewal.
God uses this imagery to show His power to overthrow pride and false security. Psalm 52:7 speaks of God overthrowing those who trust in their own wealth. When we feel overwhelmed by the structures of our own making, we can find hope in knowing that God is able to break down what no longer serves His purpose, clearing the way for a fresh start.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 35 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ they pulled down4×
- they broke down3×
- and/ to/ pull down3×
- you will pull down/ !2×
- he tore down2×
- he has torn down2×
- and/ they pulled down/ it2×
- and/ he pulled down2×
- and/ he broke down2×
- you will break down1×
- which/ have been pulled down1×
- they had been pulled down1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נָתָ֑ץ2×
- נָתַ֖ץ2×
- נָֽתְצוּ֙2×
- וַ/יִּתֹּץ֙2×
- וַ/יְנַתְּצ֣וּ2×
- וְ/לִ/נְת֖וֹץ2×
- תִּתֹּצ֔וּ/ן1×
- תִּתֹּצ֑וּ/ן1×
- תִּתֹּ֔צוּ1×
- נֻתַּץ֙1×
- נָתָֽצוּ\׃1×
- נָתַץ֙1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 6:28
When the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah was cut down that was by it, and the second bull was offered on the altar that was built.
This verse marks Gideon’s decisive break from idolatry as his neighbors tear down the altar of Baal, demonstrating that true repentance often requires removing public symbols of false worship.
-
II Kings 23:15
Moreover the altar that was at Bethel and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, even that altar and the high place he broke down; and he burned the high place and beat it to dust, and burned the Asherah.
King Josiah fulfills prophecy by breaking down the altar at Bethel, showing how God’s word remains effective across centuries to correct even long-standing religious errors.
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Leviticus 14:45
He shall break down the house, its stones, and its timber, and all the house’s mortar. He shall carry them out of the city into an unclean place.
This law requires breaking down a house infected with mildew, illustrating that sometimes contamination must be completely removed from one’s living space to restore purity and safety.