נָתָן
Natan / Nathan
“He gave”
Nathan (נָתָן, Natan) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “he gave,” pronounced “na-TAN.” From the Hebrew verb נָתַן (natan) meaning 'to give.' It is one of the simplest and most elegant Hebrew names, directly expressing the act of divine giving. The name also forms part of compound names like Nathaniel ('God has given') and Jonathan ('YHWH has given').
| Hebrew | נָתָן |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Natan |
| English Name | Nathan |
| Meaning | He gave |
| Pronunciation | na-TAN |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Natan, Nathaniel, Natanael, Nate |
| Key Scripture | 2 Samuel 12:7 |
Nathan's name means simply 'He gave' — and what Nathan gave was truth to power. When King David, the most powerful man in Israel, committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the murder of her husband Uriah, it was Nathan who walked into the throne room and told the king a parable about a rich man stealing a poor man's lamb. When David's anger burned against the unjust rich man, Nathan pointed his finger at the king and declared the most dramatic four words in biblical history: 'You are the man!' (2 Samuel 12:7). Nathan embodied the prophetic calling at its purest — giving God's truth regardless of personal cost.
Key Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:7
“Then Nathan said to David, 'You are the man!'”
What Does Nathan Mean in Hebrew?
From the root נ-ת-ן (nun-tav-nun) meaning 'to give, to grant, to set.' The perfect form 'natan' means 'he gave' — understood as 'God gave' (the divine subject being implied). This root is one of the most common in Hebrew, appearing in hundreds of biblical verses.
Nathan in the Bible
Nathan was a court prophet during the reigns of David and Solomon. He delivered God's promise of an eternal dynasty to David (2 Samuel 7), confronted David about the Bathsheba affair (2 Samuel 12), and helped ensure Solomon's succession to the throne. He was also one of the chroniclers of the kings' histories.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
Nathan Sharansky, the famous Soviet dissident and Israeli politician, is one of the most prominent modern bearers of this name. The name's association with courage and truth-telling — from the biblical prophet — gives it a distinctive moral weight that transcends its simple meaning.
Nathan is a widely popular name, consistently ranking in the top 50-100 boys' names in the US, UK, and France. Its clean, strong sound and positive meaning make it appealing across cultures. In Israel, Natan is used both as a standalone name and as a component of longer names.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nathan
What does Nathan mean in Hebrew?
Nathan (נָתָן, Natan) means “He gave” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew verb נָתַן (natan) meaning 'to give.' It is one of the simplest and most elegant Hebrew names, directly expressing the act of divine giving. The name also forms part of compound names like Nathaniel ('God has given') and Jonathan ('YHWH has given').
How do you pronounce Nathan in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Nathan is “na-TAN.” The name is written נָתָן in Hebrew script.
What does Nathan mean in Hebrew?
Nathan (נָתָן, Natan) means 'He gave' in Hebrew, from the verb 'natan' (to give). It is a short, powerful name implying that God is the giver. The same root appears in compound names like Nathaniel ('God has given'), Jonathan ('YHWH has given'), and Netaniah ('given by YHWH').
Who was Nathan in the Bible?
Nathan was a prophet in the court of King David and Solomon. He is famous for confronting David about his sin with Bathsheba using the parable of the poor man's lamb (2 Samuel 12). He also delivered God's covenant promise to David of an eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7) and helped secure Solomon's succession to the throne.
Is Nathan the same as Nathaniel?
No — Nathan and Nathaniel are related but distinct names. Nathan (נָתָן) means 'He gave,' while Nathaniel (נְתַנְאֵל) means 'God has given' or 'gift of God,' adding the divine element 'El' (God). Nathan is the name of the prophet, while Nathaniel/Bartholomew was one of Jesus' apostles.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
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