to plant
na.ta denotes setting vineyards, trees, gardens, and land in place for growth, and figuratively establishing people or other things.
The word most often describes cultivating vineyards, trees, gardens, or land so that they yield food or fruit. It also depicts people being established in a place, and a smaller group of passages applies the action to tents, nails, the heavens, and nations or kingdoms.
Senses in use
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Cultivating vineyards, trees, gardens, and land · dominant
The Qal forms occur with tangible cultivated growth: in Genesis 2:8 the APB renders the clause "the LORD God planted a garden in Eden," while Genesis 9:20 has Noah begin "to plant a vineyard." Vineyards and their fruit remain in view in Amos 9:14, and Jeremiah 29:5 joins planting gardens with eating their produce.
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Establishing people in a place · common
Several first-person Qal forms describe placing a people in land or a secure dwelling-place rather than cultivating a crop. In 2 Samuel 7:10 the APB renders "I will plant them" after appointing a place for Israel; Jeremiah 24:6 pairs this action with building them up and not uprooting them. Amos 9:15 likewise places them on their land in contrast to being uprooted.
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Placing or establishing other objects and realms · occasional
The action is extended beyond crops and people in several clauses. Daniel 11:45 says that he will "plant the tents of his palace," Ecclesiastes 12:11 compares wise words to "nails planted," and Isaiah 51:16 speaks of "to plant the heavens" alongside founding the earth. Jeremiah 1:10 and Jeremiah 18:9 place the infinitive alongside building in speech about nations and kingdoms.
In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the agricultural clauses, the APB commonly uses "plant" for vineyards, gardens, trees, and land; it also uses the same wording for people placed in their land. In a few extended clauses it renders "nails planted," "plant the tents," and "to plant the heavens"; these renderings reflect whole clauses.