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 Binyan Conjugation of דָּלַק (“to pursue”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | דָּלַקְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | דָּלַקְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | דָּלַקְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | דָּלַק |
| 3rd person feminine singular | דָּלְקָה |
| 1st person plural | דָּלַקְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | דְּלַקְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | דְּלַקְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | דָּלְקוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | דּוֹלֵק |
| Feminine singular | דּוֹלֶקֶת |
| Masculine plural | דּוֹלְקִים |
| Feminine plural | דּוֹלְקוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶדְלֹק |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תִּדְלֹק |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תִּדְלְקִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יִדְלֹק |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תִּדְלֹק |
| 1st person plural | נִדְלֹק |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תִּדְלְקוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תִּדְלֹקְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יִדְלְקוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | דְּלֹק |
| 2nd person feminine singular | דִּלְקִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | דִּלְקוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | דְּלֹקְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Genesis 31:36 – וַיִּחַר לְיַעֲקֹב וַיָּרֶב בְּלָבָן וַיַּעַן יַעֲקֹב וַיֹּאמֶר לְלָבָן מַה־פִּשְׁעִי מַה־חַטָּאתִי כִּי דָּלַקְתָּ אַחֲרָי
“What is my transgression, what is my sin, that you have pursued me?” - Psalm 7:14 – יְהֹוָה דָּן עַמִּים שָׁפְטֵנִי יְהֹוָה כְּצִדְקִי וּכְתֻמִּי עָלָי
(While not directly using דלק, pursuit by enemies is a frequent context in Psalms where דלק appears elsewhere.) - Psalm 10:2 – בְּגַאֲוַת רָשָׁע יִדְלַק עָנִי
“In the pride of the wicked, he hotly pursues the poor.”
Summary
The verb דָּלַק has the vivid imagery of intense pursuit or burning. In warfare or danger, it describes chasing down enemies. In poetic and prophetic passages, it can express burning wrath or relentless desire. Its two main meanings—to pursue and to burn—reflect both external actions and internal passions, making it a powerful verb in biblical expression.
