from דָּבַק; a joint; by implication, solder; joint, solder.
Transliteration:debeq
Pronunciation:deh'-bek
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term דֶּבֶק (debeq, `{{H1694}}`) is a noun derived from the verbal root דָּבַק (dabaq, `{{H1692}}`), which fundamentally means "to cling," "to cleave," "to stick fast," or "to be joined together." Consequently, דֶּבֶבֶק (debeq) carries the primary meaning of a "joint" or a point of connection. By implication, it can also refer to "solder" or any binding agent that creates such a joint, ensuring the firm adherence and unity of disparate parts. The semantic range is therefore quite narrow, focusing on the physical means by which objects are made to cohere, emphasizing strength, permanence, and the absence of separation at the point of union.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term דֶּבֶק (debeq, `{{H1694}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in a literal, material sense:
1. **[[1 Chronicles 22:3]]**: "And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates and for the joints (דֶּבֶק), and bronze in abundance without weight."
In this context, דֶּבֶק refers to a material used in the construction of the Temple, specifically for joining components. It signifies a necessary element for the structural integrity of a sacred edifice. The precise nature of this "joint" material is not explicitly detailed, but it implies a strong, durable binding agent, perhaps a type of cement, mortar, or a metallic solder, essential for the stability of the gates and other architectural elements.
2. **[[Isaiah 41:7]]**: "So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer encouraged him who strikes the anvil, saying of the solder (דֶּבֶק), 'It is good'; and he fastened it with nails, so that it might not totter."
Here, דֶּבֶק is explicitly identified as "solder" in the context of idol making. The passage describes the meticulous effort and craftsmanship involved in constructing an idol, including the use of solder to ensure its stability and prevent it from falling over. This instance highlights the material's function as a binding agent that provides physical cohesion and strength, even when applied to an object of futility.
In both occurrences, דֶּבֶק denotes a physical substance or point of connection that ensures the stability and unity of a constructed object. The contrast in application—one for the divine Temple, the other for human-made idols—is noteworthy, though the function of the "joint" or "solder" remains consistent.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is the root verb דָּבַק (dabaq, `{{H1692}}`), from which דֶּבֶק (debeq, `{{H1694}}`) is derived. While דֶּבֶק refers to the physical *means* of joining, דָּבַק encompasses the *act* of clinging or joining, often with profound relational and spiritual implications. For instance, it describes a man cleaving to his wife ([[Genesis 2:24]]), Ruth clinging to Naomi ([[Ruth 1:14]]), or Israel being commanded to cling to the Lord their God ([[Deuteronomy 10:20]]).
Other related concepts include:
* **Unity and Cohesion**: The idea of disparate parts coming together to form a single, stable whole.
* **Integrity**: The quality of being whole and undivided, maintained by strong connections.
* **Binding Agents**: Materials or principles that bring things together, whether physically or metaphorically.
* **Stability and Permanence**: The result of effective joining, preventing decay or collapse.
### Theological Significance
Although דֶּבֶק (debeq, `{{H1694}}`) is used exclusively in a literal, material sense, its theological significance is illuminated by its close relationship to the root דָּבַק (dabaq, `{{H1692}}`). The physical "joint" or "solder" serves as a tangible illustration of principles that hold profound spiritual weight:
1. **Divine Order and Craftsmanship**: In the context of the Temple's construction ([[1 Chronicles 22:3]]), the use of דֶּבֶק speaks to the meticulous detail and quality required for sacred architecture. It reflects God's own nature as a God of order and precision, where every component is perfectly joined for a divine purpose. This points to the care and integrity with which God designs and sustains His creation and His covenant people.
2. **The Nature of True Stability**: The contrast between the Temple's construction and the idol's fabrication ([[Isaiah 41:7]]) is striking. While human effort employs דֶּבֶק to make an idol stable, the prophet implicitly mocks its ultimate futility. Despite the physical strength provided by the solder, the idol remains a lifeless, powerless object. This underscores that true stability and permanence do not come from human ingenuity or material strength, but from the living God. The physical joint in the idol highlights the desperate human attempt to create a god that "might not totter," a stability only found in YHWH.
3. **The Importance of the "Binding Agent"**: Just as physical components require a strong joint or solder to cohere, spiritual and communal bodies require a binding agent. For believers, this agent is often the Holy Spirit, God's covenant, or the shared faith that unites them. The literal דֶּבֶק reminds us of the necessity of strong, God-given bonds for the integrity and flourishing of the spiritual "building."
### Summary
The Hebrew word דֶּבֶק (debeq, `{{H1694}}`) precisely denotes a "joint" or "solder," deriving from the root דָּבַק (dabaq, `{{H1692}}`), "to cling." Its two biblical occurrences, in [[1 Chronicles 22:3]] and [[Isaiah 41:7]], both describe it as a material component essential for the structural integrity of constructed objects—the Temple and an idol, respectively. In both cases, דֶּבֶק functions as a binding agent that ensures stability and unity. While its direct usage is physical, its etymological link to the deeply theological concept of "clinging" (דָּבַק) imbues it with broader significance. It serves as a tangible metaphor for the divine principles of unity, meticulous craftsmanship, and the source of true stability, implicitly contrasting the enduring cohesion found in God's purposes with the ultimate futility of human-made constructs, even when physically bound together.
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