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The Hebrew Verb דָּרַשׁ: To Seek, Inquire, Investigate, or Preach

The Hebrew verb דָּרַשׁ (root: ד־ר־שׁ) has a wide and rich semantic range. It fundamentally means “to seek” or “to inquire,” but its usage expands into contexts of: Seeking or inquiring after someone or something (including God). Studying or investigating deeply, especially Scripture or law. Preaching, interpreting, or expounding—as seen in Rabbinic Hebrew. This verb is central to the development of midrash (מִדְרָשׁ), meaning “interpretation” or “exposition.” It appears frequently in the Bible, especially in Deuteronomy, Psalms, and prophetic literature.   Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּרַשׁ (“to seek, inquire, interpret”) Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular דָּרַשְׁתִּי 2nd person masculine singular דָּרַשְׁתָּ 2nd person feminine singular דָּרַשְׁתְּ 3rd person masculine singular דָּרַשׁ 3rd person feminine singular דָּרְשָׁה 1st person plural דָּרַשְׁנוּ 2nd person masculine plural דְּרַשְׁתֶּם 2nd person feminine plural דְּרַשְׁתֶּן 3rd person plural דָּרְשׁוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular דּוֹרֵשׁ Feminine singular דּוֹרֶשֶׁת Masculine plural דּוֹרְשִׁים Feminine plural דּוֹרְשׁוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אֶדְרֹשׁ 2nd person masculine singular תִּדְרֹשׁ 2nd person feminine singular תִּדְרְשִׁי 3rd person masculine singular יִדְרֹשׁ 3rd person feminine singular תִּדְרֹשׁ 1st person plural נִדְרֹשׁ 2nd person masculine plural תִּדְרְשׁוּ 2nd person feminine plural תִּדְרֹשְׁנָה 3rd person plural יִדְרְשׁוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular דְּרֹשׁ 2nd person feminine singular דִּרְשִׁי 2nd person masculine plural דִּרְשׁוּ 2nd person feminine plural דְּרֹשְׁנָה   Usage in Scripture Deuteronomy 4:29 – וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּם מִשָּׁם אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וּמָצָאתָ כִּי תִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ “You will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him, if you search after Him…” Amos 5:4 – דִּרְשׁוּנִי וִחְיוּ “Seek Me and live.”… Learn Hebrew
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