from דָּאַג; anxiety; care(-fulness), fear, heaviness, sorrow.
Transliteration:dᵉʼâgâh
Pronunciation:deh-aw-gaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun דְּאָגָה (dᵉʼâgâh, `{{H1674}}`) is derived from the verbal root דָּאַג (daʼag, `{{H1672}}`), which signifies to be anxious, to worry, or to fear. As a noun, dᵉʼâgâh encapsulates the state or feeling of anxiety, worry, or profound concern. Its semantic range extends to include concepts such as care, carefulness (in the sense of being burdened by cares), fear, heaviness of heart, and sorrow. It describes an internal, often burdensome, mental or emotional state characterized by apprehension concerning future events or present difficulties. This "heaviness" suggests a weight upon the spirit, hindering peace and well-being.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While not among the most frequently occurring Hebrew nouns, דְּאָגָה (dᵉʼâgâh, `{{H1674}}`) appears in significant contexts that illuminate its meaning.
One of its most prominent occurrences is in [[Proverbs 12:25]]: "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad." Here, dᵉʼâgâh is explicitly linked to a debilitating effect on the human spirit, described as a "weighing down" or "bowing down" (יָשִׂיחֶנָּה, yasiḥennah, from שׁוּחַ, shuaḥ, to sink down). This verse powerfully contrasts the oppressive nature of anxiety with the uplifting power of an encouraging word, highlighting the internal struggle that dᵉʼâgâh represents.
Another notable instance is found in [[Jeremiah 49:23]], where dᵉʼâgâh is used in a prophetic oracle concerning Damascus: "Damascus is disheartened, for she has heard bad news; she is distressed with care (וּדְאָגָה), like a woman in labor." In this context, dᵉʼâgâh denotes the profound distress and anguish experienced by a city facing imminent destruction, likening it to the intense, unavoidable pain of childbirth. This usage underscores the overwhelming and inescapable nature of this anxiety when faced with dire circumstances.
These occurrences consistently portray dᵉʼאָגָה as a negative, burdensome, and often debilitating emotional state, whether experienced individually or collectively. It is a feeling that saps strength and peace, often arising from fear of the unknown, bad news, or overwhelming circumstances.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root דָּאַג (daʼag, `{{H1672}}`), from which dᵉʼâgâh is derived. This verb frequently appears in contexts describing the act of worrying or being anxious (e.g., [[1 Samuel 9:5]], [[Psalm 38:18]]).
Other words that share semantic overlap or present contrasting concepts include:
* יִרְאָה (yirʾah, `{{H3374}}`): Fear, awe, reverence. While dᵉʼâgâh is typically negative, yirʾah can denote a healthy, reverential fear of God.
* פַּחַד (pachad, `{{H6343}}`): Dread, terror, trembling. This often describes a more intense, sudden fear.
* עָצָב (ʿatsav, `{{H6093}}`): Pain, sorrow, toil. This can refer to the physical or emotional distress that might accompany or result from dᵉʼâgâh.
* יָגוֹן (yagon, `{{H3015}}`): Grief, sorrow, distress. This term often emphasizes the emotional pain of loss or deep sadness.
* Concepts of trust (בָּטַח, bataḥ, `{{H0982}}`) and peace (שָׁלוֹם, shalom, `{{H7965}}`) stand in direct opposition to dᵉʼâgâh, representing the desired state of heart for the believer. Wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, often contrasts the folly of yielding to anxiety with the wisdom of trusting in the Lord.
### Theological Significance
From a theological perspective, דְּאָגָה (dᵉʼâgâh, `{{H1674}}`) represents a significant challenge to faith and trust in God. The biblical portrayal of anxiety as a "weight" or "heaviness" in the heart suggests it is a condition that can hinder spiritual vitality and peace.
The wisdom tradition, as seen in Proverbs, implicitly encourages reliance on divine providence and wise counsel as antidotes to dᵉʼâgâh. When the heart is burdened by anxiety, it suggests a potential lack of surrender to God's sovereignty or an undue focus on worldly concerns. While anxiety is acknowledged as a natural human response to difficult circumstances, the biblical narrative often points towards God as the ultimate source of relief and stability.
The contrast between anxiety and "a good word" in [[Proverbs 12:25]] can be extended to the divine word, which provides comfort, hope, and direction, thereby alleviating the soul's burden. The presence of dᵉʼâgâh highlights the human need for divine intervention, reassurance, and the cultivation of a heart that trusts in the Lord's care, even amidst uncertainty. It underscores the call to cast one's cares upon God, recognizing His ability and willingness to sustain His people.
### Summary
דְּאָגָה (dᵉʼâgâh, `{{H1674}}`) denotes anxiety, worry, fear, or a burdensome heaviness of heart. Derived from the verb דָּאַג (daʼag, `{{H1672}}`), it describes an internal state of apprehension and distress that can profoundly weigh down an individual's spirit, as vividly portrayed in [[Proverbs 12:25]]. Its occurrences in the Old Testament consistently depict it as a negative and debilitating condition, whether arising from personal struggles or collective calamities. Theologically, dᵉʼâgâh highlights the human vulnerability to fear and uncertainty, serving as a foil to the biblical call for trust in God's sovereign care and the peace that accompanies such faith. It points to the need for divine comfort and the wisdom found in relying on God rather than succumbing to the oppressive weight of worldly anxieties.
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