The Hebrew verb דָּרַס (root: ד־ר־ס) means “to trample,” “to tread down,” or “to crush underfoot.” It conveys the sense of forceful stepping, often violent in nature. In the Tanakh, it is used in both literal and figurative contexts, particularly in poetry and prophecy where trampling symbolizes conquest, judgment, or desecration.
This verb appears in the Qal stem (active), with strong connotations of domination and destruction.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּרַס (“to trample, tread down”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | דָּרַסְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | דָּרַסְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | דָּרַסְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | דָּרַס |
| 3rd person feminine singular | דָּרְסָה |
| 1st person plural | דָּרַסְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | דְּרַסְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | דְּרַסְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | דָּרְסוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | דּוֹרֵס |
| Feminine singular | דּוֹרֶסֶת |
| Masculine plural | דּוֹרְסִים |
| Feminine plural | דּוֹרְסוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶדְרֹס |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תִּדְרֹס |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תִּדְרְסִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יִדְרֹס |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תִּדְרֹס |
| 1st person plural | נִדְרֹס |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תִּדְרְסוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תִּדְרֹסְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יִדְרְסוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | דְּרֹס |
| 2nd person feminine singular | דִּרְסִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | דִּרְסוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | דְּרֹסְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Psalm 7:6 – וְעוֹרָה לְאֵלַי מִשְׁפָּט צִוִּיתָ
(While not using the verb directly here, Psalms often express imagery of trampling in battle or judgment.) - Isaiah 63:3 – פּוּרָה דָרַכְתִּי לְבַדִּי
“I have trodden the winepress alone” — similar trampling imagery, though using דרך. - Micah 5:4 (Eng. 5:5) – וְאָכַל בְּחֶרֶב אֶת־אַרְצוֹ וְאֶת־פַּלְשָׁיו בְּשִׁטִּים
(Trampling is implied within conquest imagery.)
Summary
The verb דָּרַס conveys violent, forceful stepping—whether in battle, judgment, or desecration. It is a strong word for conquest and is most often used in poetic or prophetic passages to show domination or destruction. In modern Hebrew, it also refers to running someone over or forcefully stepping on something.
