נָטָף
𐤍𐤈𐤐
nâṭâph
H5198 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A kind of aromatic resin or gum, produced as a drop from certain trees, with emphasis on its use in perfumery, incense, and ritual contexts. The primary meaning is 'resin drop' or 'aromatic drop', specifically identified with a component of sacred incense (Exod 30:34).
Semantic Range
aromatic resin drop, ingredient in incense, aromatic gum, exuded plant resin, stacte, any drop-like fragrant substance exuded from plants
Root / Etymology
From the root נָטַף (nâṭaph), meaning 'to drip' or 'to drop.' The noun נָטָף denotes that which is dripped, specifically referring to a substance or exudate that emerges dropwise, usually from a plant or tree. Its association with aromatic gum or resin arises from the manner in which such substances are collected.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, נָטָף appears chiefly in the context of describing ingredients for sacred incense, notably in Exod 30:34, where it is listed alongside other fragrant substances. The precise identification has been debated since antiquity; traditional translations (like 'stacte') derive from Greek and Latin attempts to identify the resin, but the original reference might be to myrrh resin or another aromatic gum that forms droplets. The term always retains the nuance of a 'drip' or 'drop,' connecting the substance visually to the verb meaning 'to drip.' English translations may sometimes overly specify the type of resin (such as 'stacte') based on later tradition. The word does not occur in personal names or other semantic domains, marking its specialized use in ritual-perfumery contexts without clear evidence for broader commercial usage. In post-biblical Hebrew, the identification of נָטָף is further complicated by shifting botanical knowledge and changes in incense composition.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָטַף; a drop; specifically, an aromatic gum (probably stacte); drop, stacte.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נטף (n-ṭ-p̄) — to drip, to drop, to distill
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2955 | טָפַת | Taphath |
| H5188 | נְטִיפָה | the drop-pendants |
| H5197 | נָטַף | I will cause to drip |
| H5199 | נְטֹפָה | Netophah, Drip-town |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5198-02 |
נִטְפֵי | nitefey | HNcmpc |
the drops | aromatic resin-drops of | 1 |
H5198-01 |
נָטָ֤ף | nataf | HNcmsa |
stacte | aromatic resin drop | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5198-01 |
Exodus 30:34 | נָטָ֤ף | nataf | HNcmsa |
stacte | aromatic resin drop |
H5198-02 |
Job 36:27 | נִטְפֵי | nitefey | HNcmpc |
the drops | aromatic resin-drops of |