Biblical Hebrew

The Hebrew verb דָּמָה (root: ד־מ־ה) has multiple meanings based on context and stem: To resemble or be like — expressing similarity or comparison. To think, imagine, or suppose — used in reflective or interpretive contexts. To be silent or destroyed — in rare cases, from a homonymous root (not the same as “resemble”). The main stem for the meaning “to resemble” or “to think” is the Qal. The Piel and Hiphil forms may nuance “to cause to resemble” or Read more [...]

The Hebrew verb דָּלַק (root: ד־ל־ק) has two primary meanings based on context: To pursue or chase after — especially in military or urgent contexts. To burn or blaze — often describing fire or intense heat (in certain stems). In the Qal binyan, it most often means “to pursue,” while in the Pual or Hiphil, it can convey “to set on fire” or “to be inflamed.” These meanings are conceptually linked: pursuit as a metaphor for intensity or burning desire.   Qal Read more [...]

The Hebrew verb דָּחָה (root: ד־ח־ה) means “to reject,” “to thrust,” “to push away,” or “to drive back.” It can refer to both literal physical repulsion and metaphorical rejection—whether a person, offer, or even a prayer. This verb carries a strong emotional and theological weight, especially in poetic and prophetic contexts. It is most commonly used in the Qal stem, and sometimes in the Niphal stem (passive), expressing the idea of being rejected or pushed away.   Qal Read more [...]

The Hebrew verb דּוּן (root: ד־ו־ן) means “to judge,” “to litigate,” “to contend,” or “to argue a case.” It is used in legal and judicial contexts, and sometimes in a broader sense of striving or pleading a cause. The root appears both as a verb and as a noun (e.g., דִּין, meaning “judgment” or “justice”). In the Tanakh, this verb is typically found in the Qal binyan, though it is relatively rare as a verb form. Much more frequently, its root is expressed Read more [...]

The Hebrew verb דִּבֵּר (root: ד־ב־ר) means “to speak,” “to declare,” or “to command.” It is one of the most frequent and foundational verbs in the Hebrew Bible, used to describe speech ranging from divine revelation to human conversation. Unlike the verb אָמַר (“to say”), which can introduce dialogue or quotations, דִּבֵּר typically refers to formal, weighty, or purposeful communication—especially that of God. It appears primarily in the Piel stem, indicating Read more [...]