Lexical Summary natal: laid, lifted, lifts Original Word: נָטַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bear, offer, take up A prim root; to lift; by implication, to impose -- bear, offer, take up. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to lift, bear NASB Translation laid (1), lifted (1), lifts (1), offering (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נָטַל verb lift, bear (rare synonym of נָשָׂא Biblical Aramaic ᵑ7 נְטַל lift; hence specifically, Syriac  sustulit (aquam), further, be heavy; also borrowed and denominative forms in Arabic and Late Hebrew, compare Frä65f.); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳נ Lamentations 3:28; Imperfect3masculine singular יִטּוֺל Isaiah 40:15; Participle active נוֺטֵל 2 Samuel 24:12; — lift, with accusative Isaiah 40:15 (figurative subject ׳י); lift over thee (על) i.e. offer 2 Samuel 24:12, but read נוֺטֶה (as "" 1 Chronicles 21:10) We Bu HPS; lift (and lay) upon (עַל) Lamentations 3:28. Pi`el Imperfect suffix וַיְנַטְּלֵם Isaiah 63:9 and he bare them, figurative of ׳י bearing his people ("" וַיְגַשֵּׁאֵם). [נְטַל] verb lift (ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew (rare)); — Pe`al Perfect1singular עַיְנִי לִשְׁמַיָּא נִטְלֵת Daniel 4:31 (Assyrian na‰âlu = look). Pe`il (WCG 224) be lifted: Perfect3feminine singular נְמִילַת מִןאַֿרְעָא Daniel 7:4. Topical Lexicon Semantics and Nuances נָטַל expresses decisive action involving the removal, elevation, or imposition of something. The verb may describe (1) the gracious act of carrying or bearing on behalf of another, or (2) the weighty act of laying a consequence upon someone. In every occurrence, the subject possesses authority to do what is lifted, borne, or imposed, whether that subject is the Lord or a delegated messenger. Canonical Distribution The word appears only four times, yet its settings span narrative history (2 Samuel), prophetic proclamation (Isaiah), and poetic lament (Lamentations). This limited but strategic dispersion allows the reader to trace a consistent testimony: the Lord who can “lift” nations like dust (Isaiah 40:15) is the same Lord who can “carry” His covenant people in steadfast love (Isaiah 63:9) and also “lay upon” them corrective discipline (Lamentations 3:28). References God’s Sovereign Options: 2 Samuel 24:12 After David’s census, God offers three judgments with the assurance, “Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you”. The verb underscores that the plague, famine, or pursuit will not be a random catastrophe but an act the Lord Himself “carries out.” The king’s choice and the Lord’s execution reveal divine prerogative married to human accountability. Majesty over the Nations: Isaiah 40:15 “Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; … He lifts the islands like fine dust”. Here נָטַל showcases Yahweh’s effortless supremacy. The imagery of islands being raised like specks strips the nations of any pretense of permanence or power, inviting faith in the God who alone bears cosmic weight. Covenantal Compassion: Isaiah 63:9 “In all their distress He too was afflicted, … He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old”. The verb moves from judgment to tender salvation. The same Lord who can impose a plague also stoops to bear His people. Salvation history—from the Exodus to the return from exile—rests on this divine willingness to shoulder what His people cannot. Corrective Burden: Lamentations 3:28 “Let him sit alone in silence, for God has laid it upon him”. Jeremiah counsels quiet submission under divine discipline. The burden is not accidental; it is something God has deliberately “laid” upon the sufferer for redemptive purposes. נָטַל thus legitimizes chastening as purposeful and ultimately hopeful (Lamentations 3:31–33). Theological Themes 1. Sovereign Agency: Whether lifting nations or disciplining saints, the Lord alone determines what is borne or imposed. Historical Background • 2 Samuel’s use arises during David’s monarchy, illustrating the covenant king’s vulnerability to divine evaluation. Ministry Application Pastors and teachers can employ נָטַל to show believers that the God who disciplines is also the God who delivers; the One who imposes trials also bears His people through them (1 Corinthians 10:13). Counseling settings can draw upon Lamentations 3:28 to encourage silent, trusting surrender under providential hardship. Mission-minded Christians may use Isaiah 40:15 to remind themselves that geopolitical upheavals are dust before the Lord, emboldening prayer and witness. Finally, intercessors can look to Isaiah 63:9 as a pattern for carrying others in prayer, reflecting the Lord’s own lifting ministry. Devotional Reflection Contemplate the paradox: the Almighty who “lifts the islands like fine dust” (Isaiah 40:15) stoops to “carry them all the days of old” (Isaiah 63:9). In every burden He lays upon you, seek the greater burden He has already borne for you in Christ. Forms and Transliterations וַֽיְנַטְּלֵ֥ם וינטלם יִטּֽוֹל׃ יטול׃ נָטַ֖ל נוֹטֵ֣ל נוטל נטל nā·ṭal naTal nāṭal nō·w·ṭêl noTel nōwṭêl vaynatteLem way·naṭ·ṭə·lêm waynaṭṭəlêm yiṭ·ṭō·wl yitTol yiṭṭōwlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 24:12 HEB: שָׁלֹ֕שׁ אָנֹכִ֖י נוֹטֵ֣ל עָלֶ֑יךָ בְּחַר־ NAS: says, I am offering you three things; KJV: the LORD, I offer thee three INT: three I am offering and choose Isaiah 40:15 Isaiah 63:9 Lamentations 3:28 4 Occurrences |
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