Lexical Summary Netaim: Netaim Original Word: נְטָעִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance plants Plural of neta'; Netaim, a place in Palestine -- plants. see HEBREW neta' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nata Definition a place in Judah NASB Translation Netaim (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְטָעִים proper name, of a location 1 Chronicles 4:23, ᵐ5 Αζαειμ, A Αταειμ, ᵐ5L Εταειμ. Topical Lexicon Meaning within the narrativeנְטָעִים (Netaim) appears once in Scripture, in 1 Chronicles 4:23, within the genealogies of the tribe of Judah. The name is related to “plantings,” a metaphor that quietly colors the verse: “These were the potters who lived at Netaim and Gederah. They lived there with the king for his work.” (Berean Standard Bible) Geographical setting Netaim seems to have been a small settlement in the lowland region of Judah, paired with Gederah just west of Bethlehem and south of Jerusalem. The Chronicler’s placement implies proximity to royal estates, a location suitable for craftsmen who supplied the palace or, later, the temple precincts. Historical context in Judah’s genealogy 1 Chronicles 4:11–23 traces descendants of Judah after the exile. In that setting, the Chronicler highlights two classes of workers: linen workers in Beth-ashbea (verse 21) and potters in Netaim and Gederah (verse 23). This underscores Judah’s role not only in royal lineage but also in specialized service that upheld the king’s household and, by extension, covenant worship. Occupational significance: royal craftsmen Pottery was indispensable to Israel’s daily and cultic life—vessels for grain, oil, wine, incense, purification water, and sacrificial ash. By linking potters to Netaim and stating that they “lived there with the king for his work,” the text suggests: 1. Royal patronage: These artisans were on the king’s payroll, paralleling metalworkers and stone-cutters conscripted by David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 22:2; 2 Chronicles 2:7–8). Theological and ministry implications 1. Divine planting: The name “Plantings” evokes God’s promise to “plant” His people securely in the land (2 Samuel 7:10; Psalm 1:3). Even a tiny settlement of potters embodies the LORD’s husbandry—skillfully positioning each member for fruitfulness. Lessons for contemporary believers • Celebrate localized faithfulness: Communities like Netaim remind congregations that obscure places and ordinary tasks contribute to the kingdom’s advance. Forms and Transliterations נְטָעִ֖ים נטעים nə·ṭā·‘îm nəṭā‘îm netaImLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 4:23 HEB: הַיּ֣וֹצְרִ֔ים וְיֹשְׁבֵ֥י נְטָעִ֖ים וּגְדֵרָ֑ה עִם־ NAS: and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah; KJV: and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: INT: were the potters and the inhabitants of Netaim Gederah with 1 Occurrence |
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