The Hebrew verb דָּאַג (root: ד־א־ג) means “to worry,” “to be anxious,” or “to be concerned.” It is used to describe emotional unease, often tied to fear, responsibility, or care for others. In the Tanakh, this verb usually expresses internal distress or care for someone’s well-being.
The verb is primarily found in the Qal binyan (basic stem), typically describing a state of mind rather than physical action. It is one of the core verbs in biblical and modern Hebrew that expresses psychological or emotional conditions.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּאַג (“to worry, to be anxious”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | דָּאַגְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | דָּאַגְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | דָּאַגְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | דָּאַג |
| 3rd person feminine singular | דָּאָגָה |
| 1st person plural | דָּאַגְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | דְּאַגְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | דְּאַגְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | דָּאֲגוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | דּוֹאֵג |
| Feminine singular | דּוֹאֶגֶת |
| Masculine plural | דּוֹאֲגִים |
| Feminine plural | דּוֹאֲגוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶדְאַג |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תִּדְאַג |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תִּדְאַגִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יִדְאַג |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תִּדְאַג |
| 1st person plural | נִדְאַג |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תִּדְאַגוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תִּדְאַגְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יִדְאַגוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | דְּאָג |
| 2nd person feminine singular | דְּאַגִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | דְּאָגוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | דְּאָגְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
- 1 Samuel 22:9 – וְשָׁם דּוֹאֵג הָאֲדֹמִי
“And Doeg the Edomite was there…” — his name literally means “one who worries” or “is anxious.” - Jeremiah 38:19 – הַדּוֹאֵג אֲנִי
“I am afraid (worried)…” — expressing concern over betrayal. - Genesis 43:23 – שָׁלוֹם לָכֶם אַל תִּירָאוּ
(Related idea: while not using דאג directly, the idea of removing anxiety appears often in reassurance passages.)
Summary
The verb דָּאַג expresses emotional concern, fear, or anxiety. In the Tanakh, it appears both literally—describing distress—and figuratively—in the names and character descriptions of individuals. It remains in common usage in modern Hebrew, conveying the human experience of care, fear, and emotional responsibility for others.
