נְטִיפָה
𐤍𐤈𐤉𐤐𐤄
nᵉṭîyphâh
H5188 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An ornament, specifically a decorative pendant or drop-shaped adornment, often worn suspended from the ears (such as an earring), or as part of a chain or necklace. The term evokes the imagery of something that drips, hangs, or dangles, likely due to its shape resembling a drop or bead. In biblical usage, it primarily refers to an article of jewelry designed to be worn as an earring or pendant.
Semantic Range
pendant, drop-shaped adornment, earring, chain decoration, jewelry ornament
Root / Etymology
From the root נָטַף (to drip, drop, ooze), נְטִיפָה is a feminine noun meaning 'a drop' or 'something that drips.' In the specific lexical context, it describes an item shaped like a drop, transferred to refer to drop-shaped jewelry. The sense of 'drip, drop' at the root is metaphorically extended to an ornamental item that hangs or dangles, such as a pendant or earring.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, נְטִיפָה occurs in contexts describing women's jewelry, specifically as a decorative item for ears, consistent with the meaning of drop-shaped pendants or earrings (Isaiah 3:19). The imagery derives from the object's shape (a drop) and its function (dangling or hanging as adornment). This term is one of several used to describe ornaments in ancient Israelite culture, alongside others like עָגִיל ('earring,' a more general term). Later translations (including the Septuagint and Vulgate) sometimes render it simply as 'pendant' or 'drop,' reflecting the ambiguity of jewelry terminology across ancient cultures. Modern English translations differ, variously using 'drop,' 'pendant,' 'earring,' or 'jewel.' The underlying notion of 'drip' from the root highlights the aesthetic of fluidity or movement in the piece. It does not carry the anachronistic religious or cultural weight of later jewelry customs, and its usage is limited to descriptions of luxury or finery in the Hebrew Bible.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָטַף; a pendant for the ears (especially of pearls); chain, collar.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נטף (n-ṭ-p) — to drip, to drop, to ooze
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2955 | טָפַת | Taphath |
| H5197 | נָטַף | I will cause to drip |
| H5198 | נָטָף | aromatic resin drop |
| H5199 | נְטֹפָה | Netophah, Drip-town |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5188-02 |
וְ/הַ/נְּטִפ֜וֹת | vehanetifot | HC/Td/Ncfpa |
and the pendants | and the drop-pendants | 1 |
H5188-01 |
הַ/נְּטִיפ֥וֹת | hanetifot | HTd/Ncfpa |
the pendants | the drop-pendants | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5188-02 |
Judges 8:26 | וְ/הַ/נְּטִפ֜וֹת | vehanetifot | HC/Td/Ncfpa |
and the pendants | and the drop-pendants |
H5188-01 |
Isaiah 3:19 | הַ/נְּטִיפ֥וֹת | hanetifot | HTd/Ncfpa |
the pendants | the drop-pendants |