נָאָה
Na'ah
Pasture, dwelling place, beautiful habitation
Na'ah (נָאָה) is a Hebrew word meaning “pasture, dwelling place, beautiful habitation,” pronounced “na-AH.” Derived from the root נ-א-ה, na'ah appears 12 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H4999).
| Hebrew | נָאָה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Na'ah |
| Pronunciation | na-AH |
| Meaning | Pasture, dwelling place, beautiful habitation |
| Root Letters | נ-א-ה |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 12× |
| Key Verse | Psalm 23:2 |
| Strong's Number | H4999 |
| Category | Agriculture & Provision |
The image of 'green pastures' in Psalm 23:2 is one of the most comforting pictures in all of Scripture, and the Hebrew makes it even richer. The phrase 'ne'ot deshe' (נְאוֹת דֶּשֶׁא) combines na'ah — a beautiful, pleasant dwelling or pasture — with deshe — fresh, tender green grass. In the semi-arid landscape of Israel, finding green pasture required a shepherd who knew the land intimately, who knew where hidden springs fed patches of grass in an otherwise brown wilderness. The 'green pastures' of Psalm 23 are not an English meadow — they are rare, precious oases that only a skilled and loving shepherd could find. When David says God 'makes me lie down' in these pastures, the Hebrew implies rest in a place of abundance that God Himself has found and prepared. Na'ah teaches that God's provision is not generic — it is personally scouted, carefully prepared, and lovingly offered to each member of His flock.
Key Bible Verse: Psalm 23:2
“He makes me lie down in green pastures (ne'ot deshe). He leads me beside still waters.”
What Is the Root of Na'ah in Hebrew?
Na'ah comes from a root meaning 'to be fitting, beautiful, lovely.' A na'ah is a habitation that is both beautiful and appropriate — the right place for rest. When combined with deshe (fresh grass), it describes a place of both beauty and sustenance.
What Does Na'ah Mean in the Bible?
Na'ah (and its construct form ne'ot) appears 12 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes green pastures (Psalm 23:2), beautiful dwelling places (Psalm 83:12, Jeremiah 25:37), and places of rest and sustenance. The related word 'naveh' means a shepherds' camp or dwelling.
How Is Na'ah Used in Modern Hebrew?
In modern Israel, the greening of the Negev desert through irrigation and innovation echoes the biblical promise of turning wilderness into pasture. The spring rains that turn brown hillsides green are still celebrated as a sign of God's faithfulness.
How to Use Na'ah in Prayer & Worship
Let God lead you to His green pastures — places of rest, nourishment, and beauty that He has prepared specifically for you. If you are running on empty, stop and let the Shepherd make you lie down. He knows where the green grass grows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Na'ah
How do you say “Pasture” in Hebrew?
“Pasture” in Hebrew is Na'ah (נָאָה), pronounced “na-AH.” Na'ah comes from a root meaning 'to be fitting, beautiful, lovely.' A na'ah is a habitation that is both beautiful and appropriate — the right place for rest. When combined with deshe (fresh grass), it describes a place of both beauty and sustenance.
What does Na'ah mean in the Bible?
Na'ah (נָאָה) means “Pasture, dwelling place, beautiful habitation” in Biblical Hebrew. Na'ah (and its construct form ne'ot) appears 12 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes green pastures (Psalm 23:2), beautiful dwelling places (Psalm 83:12, Jeremiah 25:37), and places of rest and sustenance. The related word 'naveh' means a shepherds' camp or dwelling.
How do you pronounce Na'ah?
Na'ah is pronounced “na-AH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root נ-א-ה.
What do 'green pastures' mean in Psalm 23?
In the semi-arid landscape of Israel, green pasture was rare and precious — not the lush meadows we imagine. Finding ne'ot deshe required intimate knowledge of the land. When David says God leads him to green pastures, he means God knows exactly where the nourishment is and personally guides him there. It's provision that only a skilled, loving shepherd can find.
Why does God 'make' David lie down in pastures?
The Hebrew 'yarbitzeini' (He makes me lie down) implies gentle persuasion. Sheep only lie down when they are free from fear, free from friction with other sheep, free from flies, and free from hunger. For God to make David lie down means He has addressed every source of anxiety — creating conditions for true rest. It's not forced but facilitated.
How does the Bible use pasture as a spiritual metaphor?
Pasture represents God's provision, rest, and abundant life. Ezekiel 34:14: 'I will feed them with good pasture.' John 10:9: Jesus says, 'I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved and will find pasture.' The metaphor connects physical nourishment (grass for sheep) to spiritual nourishment (God's Word and presence for believers).
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H4999: Na'ah
- Bible Gateway — Psalm 23:2 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for נ-א-ה
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