What does נָטַף (nataf) mean in the Bible?
נָטַף (nataf): Liquid dispensed drop-by-drop; moves figuratively to inspired utterance dripping from prophet's mouth.
Hebrew · H5197
נָטַף
To ooze , i.e. distil gradually ; by implication, to fall in drops ; figuratively, to speak by inspiration
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
נָטַףH5197
Pronunciationnataf
What does נָטַף (nataf) mean in the Bible?
נָטַף (nataf): Liquid dispensed drop-by-drop; moves figuratively to inspired utterance dripping from prophet's mouth.
Full entry for נָטַף (H5197) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H5197?
The BSB source-word alignment has 18 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include preach (4), drip (2), will drip (2), and preach (1), dripped (1).
Where does נָטַף (nataf) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Judges 5:4. Its strongest book concentrations include Micah (5), Song Of Solomon (3), Amos (2), Ezekiel (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itpreach4×Ezekiel 20:46, Amos 7:16, Micah 2:6
drip2×Proverbs 5:3, Song Of Solomon 4:11
will drip2×Joel 3:18, Amos 9:13
and preach1×Ezekiel 21:2
dripped1×Song Of Solomon 5:5
dripping1×Song Of Solomon 5:13
I will preach1×Micah 2:11
just the preacher1×Micah 2:11
poured [out rain]1×Judges 5:4
poured down1×Judges 5:4
poured down [rain]1×Psalms 68:8
settled1×Job 29:22
they preach1×Micah 2:6
Show sample aligned rows
Judges 5:4נָטָ֑פוּtopoured [out rain]Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralJudges 5:4נָ֥טְפוּtopoured downVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralJob 29:22תִּטֹּ֥ףtosettledVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularPsalms 68:8נָטְפוּ֮topoured down [rain]Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralProverbs 5:3תִּ֭טֹּפְנָהtodripVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine pluralSong Of Solomon 4:11תִּטֹּ֥פְנָהtodripVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine pluralSong Of Solomon 5:5נָֽטְפוּ־todrippedVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralSong Of Solomon 5:13נֹטְפ֖וֹתtodrippingVerb - Qal - Participle - feminine pluralEzekiel 20:46וְהַטֵּ֖ףtopreachConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singularEzekiel 21:2וְהַטֵּ֖ףtoand preachConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowJudges 5:4
Aligned rows18
Books represented9
Judges2Job1Psalms1Proverbs1Song Of Solomon3Ezekiel2Joel1Amos2Micah5
Source forms
וְהַטֵּ֖ף2xwə·haṭ·ṭêp̄Ezekiel 20:46, Ezekiel 21:2
אַטִּ֣ף1x’aṭ·ṭip̄Micah 2:11
וְהִטִּ֤יפוּ1xwə·hiṭ·ṭî·p̄ūAmos 9:13
יַטִּיפ֑וּן1xyaṭ·ṭî·p̄ūnMicah 2:6
יִטְּפ֧וּ1xyiṭ·ṭə·p̄ūJoel 3:18
יַטִּ֣פוּ1xyaṭ·ṭi·p̄ūMicah 2:6
מַטִּ֖יף1xmaṭ·ṭîp̄Micah 2:11
נָ֥טְפוּ1xnā·ṭə·p̄ūJudges 5:4
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural4xJudges 5:4, Psalms 68:8, Song Of Solomon 5:5
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular2xEzekiel 20:46, Ezekiel 21:2
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural2xProverbs 5:3, Song Of Solomon 4:11
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural1xAmos 9:13
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular1xMicah 2:11
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural1xMicah 2:6
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular1xAmos 7:16
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural1xMicah 2:6
Evidence Summary
Revelation
Hebrew word. Liquid dispensed drop-by-drop; moves figuratively to inspired utterance dripping from prophet's mouth.
Strong'sH5197
Lexical occurrences18 versesWord forms2 forms14 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkMicah 2:6-11Source Gloss
to ooze , i.e. distil gradually ; by implication, to fall in drops ; figuratively, to speak by inspiration
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Liquid dispensed drop-by-drop; moves figuratively to inspired utterance dripping from prophet's mouth.
to ooze, i.e. distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration BDB: drop Usage: drop(-ping), prophesy(-et).
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms14
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense9×
PerfectJudg 5:4 · Ps 68:9 · Song 5:54×
ImperfectProv 5:3 · Song 4:11 · Job 29:22 · Joel 4:184×
Participle activeSong 5:131×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action5×
ImperfectAmos 7:16 · Mic 2:6 · Mic 2:113×
JussiveMic 2:61×
Participle activeMic 2:111×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
To drip or pour forth words, used metaphorically for prophetic speech.
Showing 1 selected witness from 18 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
נָטַף is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
It highlights the steady flow of divine revelation that the people seek to silence.Micah 2:6-11
Canonical Themes
Revelation