The Gospel of John identifies Bartholomew as Nathanael who was from Cana in Galilee. It has been suggested Bar – Tolmai or Barthlomew, which means son of Tolmai, may have been his surname. He was the first-person Philip sought out to share the Good News about Jesus. “Nathanael, we have found the One Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote about – Jesus from Nazareth, the son of Joseph!”
And this was Nathanael’s answer, “Nazareth! Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” An ancient city properly spelled “Natzeret,” rests in a small basin west of the Sea of Galilee. The origin of this trivial, little peasant village is believed to date back to 2200BC. However, six centuries before people even settled there, the prophet Isaiah prophesied this peasant town located in the middle of nowhere, would become the birthplace of Christianity, the place where the Messiah, God’s Anointed One, would come from.
Nathanael Bartholomew asked, “What good can come from Nazareth?”
A hope for the redemption of God’s people! Jesus is the Netzer, the sprout, what springs forth, the branch, our hope, the King of Israel and Messiah Who came from the stump of Jesus. He is our hope for Israel and for the nations today.
The following was taken from the article: The Spiritual Significance of Nazareth: Plant Hope Israel by Jennifer Guetta
https://planthopeisrael.com/the-spiritual-significance-of-nazareth-plant-hope-israel
Our ministry is called Plant Hope Israel. The name comes from a dream I had in 2015 in which I saw a hand come from heaven. In the middle of the hand was a small plant – a netzer – growing upwards with seven leaves. During the dream I heard the Lord say: “Go plant hope in the hearts of men.” The word “plant” was a verb and a noun at the same time. It was the act of bringing hope and also a netzer, a branch of hope, growing out of the hands of Yeshua. Four years after the dream I was in Nazareth and the Lord asked me to research the spiritual significance of the word Nazareth and I found the relationship with planting hope and renewed revival. Notsrim – Branches of Hope
Interestingly, in the Middle East, followers of Jesus are often called Nazarenes. Even today in Hebrew the word for Christians is “NOTSRIM” which means those that come from Nazareth. Therefore, the Hebrew meaning of Christians is branches of hope. In Hebrew, words have multiple meanings. The word Netzer could also mean “to watch, guard or keep, a promise or covenant.” Notsrim could mean watchmen and safekeepers and protectors.
We are watchmen to pray for Israel! Guardians of the promise of God of His redemption through Yeshua! These three words can also be used in the context of Christianity, which is (1) called ‘natzrut’ in Hebrew. To become a Christian is (2) ‘nitzer.’ A related word (3) ‘notzri,’ is used for a Christian – as someone who follows Yeshua of Natzeret (Nazareth). Through Yeshua the Light of God went into all the nations, and He will stand as a banner for His people.
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His resting place will be glorious (Isaiah 11:10).
We must continue doing the work of an evangelist and fulfill our ministry of service to the Lord (2 Timothy 4:3-5 NSAU).
Father, consider our threats
And enable Your servants to speak Your Word
With great boldness.
Stretch out Your hand, Father, to heal
And perform miraculous signs and wonders
Through the name of Your precious and holy Servant Jesus
Acts 4:29-30