The Hebrew verb דָּפַק (root: ד־פ־ק) means “to knock,” “to beat,” or “to strike.” It conveys the idea of hitting a surface, especially a door, or of applying pressure in rhythmic or forceful motion. In the Hebrew Bible, it is used both literally (e.g., knocking or pounding) and metaphorically (e.g., forceful entry or pursuit). In Modern Hebrew, it retains its core meaning and is very commonly used for “knock” or “slam.”
Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּפַק (“to knock, beat”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | דָּפַקְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | דָּפַקְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | דָּפַקְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | דָּפַק |
| 3rd person feminine singular | דָּפְקָה |
| 1st person plural | דָּפַקְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | דְּפַקְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | דְּפַקְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | דָּפְקוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | דּוֹפֵק |
| Feminine singular | דּוֹפֶקֶת |
| Masculine plural | דּוֹפְקִים |
| Feminine plural | דּוֹפְקוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶדְפֹּק |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תִּדְפֹּק |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תִּדְפְּקִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יִדְפֹּק |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תִּדְפֹּק |
| 1st person plural | נִדְפֹּק |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תִּדְפְּקוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תִּדְפֹּקְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יִדְפְּקוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | דְּפֹק |
| 2nd person feminine singular | דִּפְקִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | דִּפְקוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | דְּפֹקְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Judges 19:22 – הֵם מֵיטִיבִים אֶת לִבָּם וְהִנֵּה אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר… דֹּפְקִים עַל הַדָּלֶת
“Behold, the men of the city… were knocking on the door.” - Song of Songs 5:2 – קוֹל דּוֹדִי דּוֹפֵק
“The voice of my beloved, he is knocking.” — a poetic and symbolic image of invitation and longing.
Summary
The verb דָּפַק vividly conveys physical contact with a surface—whether knocking on a door or striking forcefully. It appears in both narrative and poetic texts, from the literal knocking of intruders to the intimate tapping of a lover. In modern Hebrew, it continues in daily use for knocking, banging, or even metaphorical “heart pounding.”
