Daniel 1:2 — Semitic Language Study

ויתן is from the root נתן natan — to give and is another example of the waw consecutive, which uses the form of the imperfect (typically non-past) in the sense of a “past tense” when applied to a narrative story. This is also the same root whence we get the names “Nathan”, “Nathaniel”, and “Netanyahu”. Also from this root is the word מתן matan — gift which is the nominalized form of נתן. This word is the basis of the name “Matthew”. The overall sense of this name is not tied down strictly to “giving” but also carries the connotation of placing something in a location (Gen. 1:17) or establishing a covenant (Gen. 17:2). In Genesis 4:12, it is used to describe the yielding of crops from agricultural labor. The idea of “growth” or “rising as a crop would” is expressed in Arabic root نتأ nataa — it swelled/ grew up. <a href="https://medium.com/@webproductions28/daniel-1-2-semitic-language-study-1737b2f36303">Visit Now</a>