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 Binyan Conjugation of דָּחָה (“to reject, push away”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | דָּחִיתִי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | דָּחִיתָ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | דָּחִיתְ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | דָּחָה |
| 3rd person feminine singular | דָּחְתָה |
| 1st person plural | דָּחִינוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | דְּחִיתֶם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | דְּחִיתֶן |
| 3rd person plural | דָּחֲוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | דּוֹחֶה |
| Feminine singular | דּוֹחָה |
| Masculine plural | דּוֹחִים |
| Feminine plural | דּוֹחוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶדְחֶה |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תִּדְחֶה |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תִּדְחִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יִדְחֶה |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תִּדְחֶה |
| 1st person plural | נִדְחֶה |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תִּדְחוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תִּדְחֶינָה |
| 3rd person plural | יִדְחוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | דְּחֵה |
| 2nd person feminine singular | דִּחִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | דִּחוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | דְּחֶינָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Psalm 94:14 – כִּי לֹא יִטֹּשׁ יְהוָה עַמּוֹ וְנַחֲלָתוֹ לֹא יַעֲזֹב
“For the LORD will not cast off His people…” — similar idea expressed with other verbs of rejection. - Psalm 43:2 – כִּי־אַתָּה אֱלֹהֵי מָעוּזִי לָמָה זְנַחְתָּנִי לָמָה קֹדֵר אֵלֵךְ בְּלַחַץ אוֹיֵב
“Why have You rejected me?” — again synonymous ideas of pushing away. - Isaiah 8:6 – יַעַן מָאַס הָעָם הַזֶּה אֵת מֵי הַשִּׁלֹחַ הַהֹלְכִים לְאַט וּמְשׂוֹשׂ אֶת־רְצִין וּבֶן־רְמַלְיָהוּ
“Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah…” — example of metaphorical rejection.
Summary
The verb דָּחָה is a strong, evocative word for pushing something or someone away—physically or emotionally. Whether used to describe divine rejection, interpersonal estrangement, or military repulsion, it signals resistance and exclusion. Its forceful tone makes it common in poetic, prophetic, and liturgical Hebrew, and it remains in common usage in modern Hebrew for both literal and metaphorical rejection.
