The Hebrew Verb דָּרַס: To Trample, Tread Down, or Crush

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 7:6וְעוֹרָה לְאֵלַי מִשְׁפָּט צִוִּיתָ
    (While not using the verb directly here, Psalms often express imagery of trampling in battle or judgment.)
  • Isaiah 63:3פּוּרָה 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.

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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