The Hebrew word dâʼag, represented by H1672, is a primitive root used to convey being anxious, afraid, sorry, or to take thought. It appears 7 times in 7 unique verses, describing a range of internal states from worldly fear and practical concern to righteous sorrow over sin.
In the biblical narrative, H1672 is used to express both practical and emotional distress. It describes a king's political fear, as when Zedekiah says, "I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans" Jeremiah 38:19. The term is also used for familial concern, as when Saul worries his father will stop caring for the lost asses and take thought for his and his servant's welfare 1 Samuel 9:5. In contrast, the prophet Jeremiah describes a blessed person as a tree by water who "shall not be careful" in a year of drought Jeremiah 17:8, linking a lack of anxiety to spiritual steadfastness.
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which this anxiety or sorrow appears:
- H3372 yârêʼ (to fear; morally, to revere): This root word for fear is often used in parallel with dâʼag. In a rebuke, the Lord asks, "And of whom hast thou been afraid H1672 or feared H3372, that thou hast lied?" Isaiah 57:11.
- H2403 chaṭṭâʼâh (an offence... sin): This term is directly connected to the sorrowful aspect of dâʼag. The psalmist's repentance is shown when he says, "I will be sorry H1672 for my sin H2403" Psalms 38:18.
- H7458 râʻâb (hunger... famine): This word represents a tangible cause of the anxiety described by dâʼag. The people are warned that the famine H7458 they were afraid H1672 of will follow them into Egypt Jeremiah 42:16.
The theological weight of H1672 is seen in its application to different spiritual states.
- Fear of Man and Circumstance: dâʼag frequently points to anxiety rooted in worldly threats. This is seen in King Zedekiah's fear of his enemies Jeremiah 38:19 and the Israelites' fear of the sword and famine H7458 in Egypt Jeremiah 42:16.
- Righteous Sorrow for Sin: The word is also used in a positive, spiritual context to denote repentance. The psalmist expresses this godly grief, declaring he will declare his iniquity H5771 and "be sorry H1672 for my sin H2403" Psalms 38:18.
- Contrast with Faith: Anxiety is set in opposition to trust in God. A person who trusts in God is compared to a tree H6086 that will not be careful H1672 in a time of drought Jeremiah 17:8, while being afraid H1672 is associated with forgetting God Isaiah 57:11.
In summary, dâʼag H1672 is more than a simple term for fear. It captures a spectrum of human emotion from the anxiety caused by physical threats and daily concerns 1 Samuel 9:5 to the profound sorrow that accompanies repentance for sin H2403. Its usage in scripture often serves to contrast worldly anxiety with the security and peace found in a steadfast relationship with God.
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