to give: give
na.tan denotes giving or granting something, placing it with another, or handing someone over into another’s power.
The supplied verses most often show an agent giving or granting possessions, land, people, or benefits to another. The term also occurs in clauses about handing persons or groups into someone’s hand, assigning or placing people and matters, and making offerings or commitments.
Senses in use
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Granting or transferring what is given · dominant
In 1 Chronicles 16:18, the first-person imperfect occurs in the promise that the land of Canaan will be given as an inheritance. In 1 Kings 3:12 and 1 Kings 3:13, first-person perfect forms occur where a wise heart, riches, and honor are bestowed; 1 Chronicles 21:23 shows Ornan giving oxen, wood, wheat, and the whole provision to David.
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Handing over into another’s hand or control · common
In 1 Chronicles 14:10, the second-person sequential perfect is asked and answered in the clause about the Philistines being given into David’s hand. In 1 Chronicles 5:20 and 1 Kings 20:13, forms in clauses concerning enemies or a great multitude being given into a hand describe the outcome of conflict; 1 Kings 14:16 similarly speaks of Israel being given over.
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Assigning, placing, or appointing · occasional
In 1 Chronicles 16:4 and 1 Chronicles 16:7, sequential imperfect and perfect forms occur in clauses where Levites and Asaph with his brothers are appointed for service and thanksgiving. The perfect form in 1 Chronicles 19:11 occurs where troops are placed under Abishai’s command, while 1 Chronicles 14:17 has the LORD placing dread upon the nations.
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Giving as an offering or commitment · occasional
In 1 Chronicles 29:3 and 1 Chronicles 29:7, perfect and sequential imperfect forms occur in the giving of gold, silver, and other materials for the house of God. In 1 Chronicles 22:19, the plural imperative calls for giving heart and soul to seek the LORD, expressing commitment rather than transfer of a physical object.
In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB commonly uses “give” or “gave,” while also rendering related clauses with “granted,” “placed,” “appointed,” “restore,” and “given over.” These English choices present the verse-level action to the Hebrew form.