נָטַף
na.taph (H5197)
to drip/prophesy
AI Word Study
The Hebrew word נָטַף (na.taph) has a short definition of "to drip" or "to prophesy." This suggests a connection between the two meanings, as dripping water may resemble pouring forth or speaking prophecies. The word is used in the context of speech and communication, with 18 occurrences in the Hebrew Bible, which indicates its frequency and importance in conveying messages. Given its range of usage, it is likely used to convey messages that are significant, urgent, or overwhelming. The significance of the word lies in its unique blending of physical and spiritual concepts. The image of dripping water may evoke a sense of gentle yet persistent flow, which is mirrored in the way prophecies can drip into a person's consciousness, often unexpectedly or against their will. This blend of physical and spiritual meanings highlights the ways in which language can be both concrete and abstract, reflecting the interconnectedness of human experience.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
“Yahweh, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. Yes, the clouds dropped water.
After my words they didn’t speak again. My speech fell on them.
The earth trembled. The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai— at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,
Your lips, my bride, drip like the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.
His cheeks are like a bed of spices with towers of perfumes. His lips are like lilies, dropping liquid myrrh.
“Son of man, set your face toward the south, and preach toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South.
“Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, and preach toward the sanctuaries, and prophesy against the land of Israel.
It will happen in that day, that the mountains will drop down sweet wine, the hills will flow with milk, all the brooks of Judah will flow with waters, and a fountain will flow out from Yahweh’s house, and will water the valley of Shittim.
Now therefore listen to Yahweh’s word: ‘You say, Don’t prophesy against Israel, and don’t preach against the house of Isaac.’
“Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the one treading grapes him who sows seed; and sweet wine will drip from the mountains, and flow from the hills.
“Don’t prophesy!” They prophesy. “Don’t prophesy about these things. Disgrace won’t overtake us.”
If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood lies: “I will prophesy to you of wine and of strong drink;” he would be the prophet of this people.