Dictionary Article

1. Son of David by Bathsheba, the third son to be born in Jerusalem (2 Sm 5:14; 1 Chr 3:5; 14:4). Nathan, Solomon’s older brother, is featured in the apocalyptic oracle of Zechariah 12:12 and Christ’s line of descent via Joseph (Lk 3:31).

Show passage in OET: SA2 5:14

OET-RV SA2 5:14

14 The names of his sons who were born in Yerushalem were Shamua, Shovav, Natan (Nathan), Shelomoh (Solomon),

OET-LV SA2 5:14

14 And_these are_the _names _of the_ones_born to_him/it in_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) Shammūˊa and_Shōⱱāⱱ and_Nātān and_Shəlomoh/(Solomon).

Show passage in OET: CH1 3:5

OET-RV CH1 3:5

5 and these were born to him there: Bat-Shua (also known as Bat-Sheva (Bathsheba), daughter of Amiyel) gave birth to four sons: Shimea, Shovav, Natan (Nathan), and Shelomoh (Solomon).

OET-LV CH1 3:5

5 And_these they _were _born to_him/it in_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) Shimˊāʼ and_Shōⱱāⱱ and_Nātān and_Shəlomoh/(Solomon) four to_Bath- shūˊa the _daughter _of ˊAmmiy^ʼēl.

Show passage in OET: CH1 14:4

OET-RV CH1 14:4

4 These are his children who were born there in Yerushalem: Shamua, Shovav, Natan (Nathan), Shelomoh (Solomon),

OET-LV CH1 14:4

4 And_these are_the _names _of the_ones_born who they _belonged to_him/it in_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) Shammūˊa and_Shōⱱāⱱ Nātān and_Shəlomoh/(Solomon).

Show passage in OET: ZEC 12:12

OET-RV ZEC 12:12

12 The land will mourn, each clan separate from other clans. The clan of David’s descendants will be separate and their wives will be separate from the men. The clan of Natan’s (Nathan) descendants will be separate and their wives will also be separate from the men.

OET-LV ZEC 12:12

12 And_ the_earth/land _it _will _mourn clans clans alone_itself the _clan _of the _house _of Dāvid alone_itself and_wives _of_their alone_themselves the _clan _of the _house _of Nātān alone_itself and_wives _of_their alone_themselves.

Show passage in OET: LUK 3:31

OET-RV LUK 3:31

31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Matatah, the son of Natan (Nathan), the son of David,

OET-LV LUK 3:31

31 the son of_Meleas/(Məlēʼāh?
), the son of_Mainan/(?
), the son of _Maththatha/(Maththattāh), the son of _Nathan/(Nātān)/(Nātān), the son of _Dawid/(Dāvid),

Jump to OET SA2 5:14 section.

Jump to OET CH1 3:5 section.

Jump to OET CH1 14:4 section.

Jump to OET ZEC 12:12 section.

Jump to OET LUK 3:31 section.

2. One of the early prophets and adviser of David. When David’s military campaigns were almost completed, he shared with Nathan his desire to erect a suitable dwelling place for God. Nathan’s immediate reaction was favorable, but on receiving direct instructions from the Lord, he countermanded his initial approval. He foretold that one of David’s sons would build God a house, and that God would establish a house (dynasty) for David through his son Solomon. The prophecy includes not only the Davidic line but also the messianic king. Nathan’s oracle, therefore, was of vital importance, since it dealt with two great institutions, the temple and the Davidic monarchy (2 Sm 7:1-7; 1 Chr 17:1-15).

Show passage in OET: SA2 7:1–7

OET-RV SA2 7:1

7 Then the king moved into his palace, and Yahweh allowed him to have a time of peace from all his enemies.

OET-RV SA2 7:2

2 One day the king said to the prophet Natan (Nathan), “Look, I’m here living in a house made of cedar, but God’s box is still there in a tent.”

OET-RV SA2 7:3

3 “Go and do whatever you consider best,” Natan replied, “because Yahweh is with you.”

OET-RV SA2 7:4

4 But that night, Yahweh spoke to Natan,

OET-RV SA2 7:5

5 “Go and tell my servant David that Yahweh says, ‘Will you build a house for me to live in?

OET-RV SA2 7:6

6 I haven’t lived in a house since I brought the Israelis out of Mitsrayim (Egypt) right up until now, but rather I was living in a tent as they moved around.

OET-RV SA2 7:7

7 In all those places, I never once queried the leaders to ask why they never built a cedar house for me.’

OET-LV SA2 7:1

7 And_he/it _was if/because the_king he _dwelt in_house _of_his and_YHWH he _had _given _rest to_him/it from_round _about from_all enemies _of_his.

OET-LV SA2 7:2

2 And_ the_king _he/it _said to Nātān the_prophet see please I am_dwelling in_house _of cedar(s) and_the _box _of the_ʼElohīm is_dwelling in _the_middle of_the _tent _curtain.

OET-LV SA2 7:3

3 And_ Nātān _he/it _said to the_king all _of that is_in_heart _of_your go do if/because YHWH is_with_you.

OET-LV SA2 7:4

4 And_he/it _was in_night (the)_that and_ the _message _of YHWH _he/it _was to Nātān to_say.

OET-LV SA2 7:5

5 Go and_you _will _say to servant _of_my to Dāvid thus YHWH he _says you will _you _build to/for_me a _house I_to_dwell _in.

OET-LV SA2 7:6

6 If/because not I _have _dwelt in_a _house (to)_from_the_day _of I_brought _up DOM the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) from_Miʦrayim/(Egypt) and_unto the_day the_this and_I _have _been going _about in_a _tent and_in_a _tabernacle.

OET-LV SA2 7:7

7 In_every where I _went _about in_all the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) a_message did _I _speak with one of _the _tribes _of of _Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) whom I _commanded to_shepherd DOM people _of_my DOM Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) to_say to/for_what not have _you(pl)_built to_me a _house _of cedar(s).

Jump to OET SA2 7:1–7 section.

During the Ammonite war, David, having fathered an illegitimate child, tried to cover his sin by involving the woman’s husband, Uriah (2 Sm 11:1-13; 23:39). When this attempt failed, he had Joab, the general of the army, engineer Uriah’s death, whereupon David took Bathsheba openly as his wife (11:14-27). Nathan confronted the king, courageously exposing the enormity of David’s crime by a parable that provoked the king’s righteous anger and turned the finger of condemnation upon David himself (12:1-9). Nathan foretold the fearful consequences for David’s family resulting from his sin and evil example (vv 10-12). This prophecy was fulfilled in rape, the deaths of three of David’s sons, and civil war (2 Sm 13–18 OET SA2 13:1–39 · OET SA2 14:1–33 · OET SA2 15:1–37 · OET SA2 16:1–23 · OET SA2 17:1–29 · OET SA2 18:1–33; 1 Kgs 1). Bathsheba’s child also would not live (2 Sm 12:14).

Show passage in OET: SA2 23:39

OET-RV SA2 23:39

• 39 and Uriyah the Hiti.
¶ There were thirty-seven of them in total.

OET-LV SA2 23:39

39 ʼŪriy^yāh the_Ḩittiy all _of were_thirty and_seven.

Show passage in OET: SA2 12:1–9

OET-RV SA2 12:1

12 So Yahweh sent Natan (Nathan) to David to tell him, “Once there was a rich man and a poor man living in the same city.

OET-RV SA2 12:2

2 The rich man had a large number of flocks and herds,

OET-RV SA2 12:3

3 but the poor man only had one little female lamb that he’d bought. It grew up with him and his sons, and would eat his left-overs and drink from his cup and lay down in his lap—it was like a daughter to him.

OET-RV SA2 12:4

4 One day the rich man had a visitor, but instead of taking one of his own animals for a meal, he killed the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the meal for his guest.”

OET-RV SA2 12:5

5 David got very angry listening to that and told Natan, “By the life of Yahweh, the man that did that definitely deserves to be put to death!

OET-RV SA2 12:6

6 He must pay back four lambs for doing that and for having no pity on that poor man.”

OET-RV SA2 12:7

7 Then Natan said to David, “You are that rich man. Yahweh, the god of Yisrael (Israel), says to you: ‘I myself anointed you as king over Yisrael, and I myself kept you safe from Sha’ul (Saul).

OET-RV SA2 12:8

8 I gave you the house that belonged to your master, as well as his wives. I made you king over both Yisrael and Yehudah (Judah). And if that wasn’t enough, I’ve given you more and more.

OET-RV SA2 12:9

9 So why have you despised my commands by doing what you knew was evil? You had Uriyah the Hiti killed with an Amoni sword and you took his wife for yourself.

OET-LV SA2 12:1

12 And_ YHWH _he _sent DOM Nātān to Dāvid and_he _came to_him/it and_he/it _said to_him/it two _of men they _were in_a _city one one was_rich and_one was_poor.

OET-LV SA2 12:2

2 To_the_rich_man flock[s] and_herd[s] many very it _belonged.

OET-LV SA2 12:3

3 And_to_man there_belonged_not anything if/because (if) a _ewe-lamb one small which he _had _acquired and_he_nourished _it and_it _grew _up with_him/it and_with children _of_his together from_his _piece _of_of _bread it _ate and_from_cup _of_his it _drank and_in_bosom _of_his it _lay _down and_it _became to_him/it like_a _daughter.

OET-LV SA2 12:4

4 And_ a _visitor _he _came to_the_man _of (the)_rich and_he _spared to_take/accept/receive one_of_his _own _sheep and_one_of_his _own _cattle for_doing for_traveller who_had_come to_him/it and_he/it _took DOM the _ewe-lamb _of the_man (the)_poor and_he_prepared _it for_man who_had_come to_him/it.

OET-LV SA2 12:5

5 And_ the _anger of _Dāvid _it _glowed/burnt on_man exceedingly and_he/it _said to Nātān by_the _life of_YHWH if/because is_a _son _of death the_man who_did this.

OET-LV SA2 12:6

6 And_DOM the_ewe-lamb he _will _restore fourfold consequence _of that he _did DOM the_thing the_this and_on that not he _showed _pity.

OET-LV SA2 12:7

7 And_ Nātān _he/it _said to Dāvid you the_man thus YHWH the _god _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) he _says I I_anointed _you to_king over Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) and_I I_delivered _you from_the _hand _of Shāʼūl/(Saul).

OET-LV SA2 12:8

8 And_I_gave to/for_yourself(m) DOM the _house _of your(pl)_master(s)_of_your and_DOM the _wives _of your(pl)_master(s)_of_your in_bosom _of_your and_I_gave to/for_yourself(m) DOM the _house _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) and_Yəhūdāh/(Yihudah) and_if little and_I _will _add to_you like_those and_like_those.

OET-LV SA2 12:9

9 Why have _you _despised DOM the _message _of YHWH for_doing the_evil in/on/at/with DOM ʼŪriy^yāh the_Ḩittiy you _struck _down with_sword and_DOM his/its_wife/woman you _took for_yourself to/for_(a)_woman and_him you _killed the _sword _of the _people _of ˊAmmōn.

Show passage in OET: SA2 12:10–12

OET-RV SA2 12:10

10 So now, because you despised me and took Uriyah’s wife as your own, war and violence will never go away from you and your descendants.

OET-RV SA2 12:11

11 I will cause a disaster to hit you from within your own household—I’ll take your wives and give them to a family member right in front of your eyes, and he will let everyone know that he’s sleeping with your wives.

OET-RV SA2 12:12

12 You did what you did in secret, but I myself will do all this in public before all Yisrael.’ ”

OET-LV SA2 12:10

10 And_now not the_sword it _will _depart from_house _of_your until perpetuity consequence if/because you_despised _me and_she/it _took DOM the _wife _of ʼŪriy^yāh the_Ḩittiy to_be to/for_yourself(m) to/for_(a)_woman.

OET-LV SA2 12:11

11 Thus YHWH he _says HERE_I am_about _to _raise _up on_you calamity from_your _own _of_house and_I _will _take DOM wives _of_your to_eyes _of_your and_I _will _give_them to_neighbour _of_your and_he _will _lie with wives _of_your to_the _eyes _of the _sun (the)_this.

OET-LV SA2 12:12

12 If/because you you _acted in_secret and_I I _will _do DOM the_thing the_this before all _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) and_before the_sun.

Show passage in OET: SA2 12:14

OET-RV SA2 12:14

14 Nevertheless, because you have utterly disrespected Yahweh in this matter, also your new son is certainly going to die.”

OET-LV SA2 12:14

14 Nevertheless if/because indeed _(declare _contemptible) you _have _declared _contemptible DOM the _enemies _of YHWH by_thing the_this also the_son (the)_born to/for_yourself(m) surely _(die) he _will _die.

Jump to OET SA2 23:39 section.

Jump to OET SA2 12:1–9 section.

Jump to OET SA2 12:10–12 section.

Jump to OET SA2 12:14 section.

When David was near death, one of his sons, Adonijah, seized power (1 Kgs 1:1, 10 OET KI1 1:1 · OET KI1 1:10). Nathan prompted Bathsheba to remind David of an earlier promise concerning Solomon’s succession, supporting her by his own timely intervention (vv 10-27). David immediately authorized Solomon’s coronation (vv 28-53).

Show passage in OET: KI1 1:1; KI1 1:10

OET-RV KI1 1:1

1 Now King David had become very old, and he couldn’t keep warm even when covered with blankets,

OET-RV KI1 1:10

10 However, he didn’t invite the prophet Natan, Benayah, the top warriors, or his brother Shelomoh (Solomon).

OET-LV KI1 1:1

1 And_the_king Dāvid he _was _old he _had _come in _the_days and_they_covered _him with_clothes and_not it _was _warm to_him/it.

OET-LV KI1 1:10

10 And_DOM Nātān the_prophet and_Bənā^yāh and_DOM the _mighty_men and_DOM Shəlomoh/(Solomon) his/its_brother not he _invited.

Jump to OET KI1 1:1 section. · OET KI1 1:10 section.

Nathan was an important chronicler (1 Chr 29:29; 2 Chr 9:29). With David he played a vital part in developing the musical aspects of temple worship (2 Chr 29:25).

Show passage in OET: CH1 29:29

OET-RV CH1 29:29

29 The records of everything King David did, from the beginning to his end, were written by the prophets Shmuel (Samuel), Natan (Nathan), and Gad.

OET-LV CH1 29:29

29 And_the _matters _of Dāvid the_king (the)_former and_(the)_latter there_they are_written on the _words/messages _of Shəmū^ʼēl/(Samuel) the_seer and_on the _words/messages _of Nātān the_prophet and_on the _words/messages _of Gād the_seer.

Show passage in OET: CH2 9:29

OET-RV CH2 9:29

29 Everything else that Shelomoh (Solomon) did, from the beginning to the end, was written down by the prophet Natan (Nathan), and in the prophecy by Ahiyah (from Shiloh), and the prophet Ido’s visions about Nevat’s son Yarov’am (Jeroboam) were also written down.

OET-LV CH2 9:29

29 And_the _rest _of the _matters _of Shəlomoh (the)_former and_(the)_latter not are_they written on the _words/messages _of Nathan the_prophet and_on the _prophecy _of ʼAḩiy^yāh the_Shilōnī and_in_the _visions _of ˊIddō the_seer on Yāroⱱˊām/(Jeroboam) the _son _of Neⱱaţ.

Show passage in OET: CH2 29:25

OET-RV CH2 29:25

25 Then he told the Levites to stand in the temple with cymbals, harps, and lyres—obeying what David and his prophets Gad and Natan (Nathan) had commanded. (Yahweh had actually given those orders through his prophets.)

OET-LV CH2 29:25

25 And_he _stationed DOM the_Lēviyyiy the _house _of YHWH with_cymbals with_lyres and_with_harps by_the _command _of Dāvid and_Gād the _seer _of the_king and_Nathan the_prophet if/because was_by_the _hand _of YHWH the_command by_the _hand _of his _prophets _of_his.

Jump to OET CH1 29:29 section.

Jump to OET CH2 9:29 section.

Jump to OET CH2 29:25 section.

3. Man of Zobah and the father of Igal, one of David’s 30 heroes (2 Sm 23:36). He was possibly the Nathan noted as the brother of Joel (1 Chr 11:38).

Show passage in OET: SA2 23:36

OET-RV SA2 23:36

• 36 Natan’s (Nathan) son Yigal from Tsovah,
• Bani the Gadi,

OET-LV SA2 23:36

36 Yigʼāl/(Igal) the _son _of Nātān from_Tsōⱱāh/(Zobah) Bānī the_Gādī.

Show passage in OET: CH1 11:38

OET-RV CH1 11:38

38 Yoel (Joel) (Natan’s (Nathan) brother), Mivhar (Hagri’s son),

OET-LV CH1 11:38

38 Yō^ʼēl/(Joel) the _brother _of Nātān Miⱱḩār the _son _of Hagrī.

Jump to OET SA2 23:36 section.

Jump to OET CH1 11:38 section.

4. Father of two important court officials (1 Kgs 4:5); probably either the prophet or David’s son.

Show passage in OET: KI1 4:5

OET-RV KI1 4:5

5 Natan’s (Nathan) son Azaryah was supervisor of the governors,
⇔ and his son Zavud was a priest and adviser to the king.

OET-LV KI1 4:5

5 And_ˊAzar^yāh the _son _of Nātān was_over the_overseers and_Zāⱱūd the _son _of Nātān was_a _priest the _friend _of the _king.

Jump to OET KI1 4:5 section.

5. Descendant of Judah, in the clan of Jerahmeel, the son of Attai and the father of Zabad (1 Chr 2:36).

Show passage in OET: CH1 2:36

OET-RV CH1 2:36

36 Atay was the father of Natan (Nathan), and Natan was the father of Zavad.

OET-LV CH1 2:36

36 And_ˊAttay he _fathered DOM Nātān and_Nātān he _fathered DOM Zāⱱād.

Jump to OET CH1 2:36 section.

6. One of a deputation sent by Ezra to secure Levitical reinforcements for the Israelites returning to Jerusalem (Ezr 8:16). Possibly Nathan was among those who covenanted to divorce their foreign wives (10:39), but the name, meaning “gift,” was a very common one.

Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary