The Hebrew Verb דָּאַג: To Worry, Be Anxious, or Concerned

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 22:9וְשָׁם דּוֹאֵג הָאֲדֹמִי
    “And Doeg the Edomite was there…” — his name literally means “one who worries” or “is anxious.”
  • Jeremiah 38:19הַדּוֹאֵג אֲנִי
    “I am afraid (worried)…” — expressing concern over betrayal.
  • Genesis 43:23שָׁלוֹם 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.

About Biblical Hebrew

Learn Biblical Hebrew Online. Studying Biblical Hebrew online opens a direct window into the sacred texts of the Hebrew Bible, allowing readers to engage with Scripture in its original linguistic and cultural context. By learning the language in which much of the Tanakh was written, students can move beyond translations and discover the nuanced meanings, poetic structures, and theological depth embedded in the Hebrew text. Online learning provides flexible and accessible avenues to build these skills, whether through self-paced modules, guided instruction, or interactive resources. As one grows in proficiency, the richness of biblical narratives, laws, prayers, and prophetic visions comes to life with renewed clarity, making the study of Biblical Hebrew not only an intellectual pursuit but a deeply rewarding spiritual and cultural journey.
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