Word Study for H1695 (דָּבֵק)

dâbêq /daw-bake'/ Ask about this word

Meaningadhering

KJV usagecleave, joining, stick closer.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of dâbêq — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word dâbêq, represented by H1695, signifies a powerful sense of closeness and attachment. Its base definition is adhering; cleave, joining, stick closer. Though used sparingly, appearing only 3 times in 3 unique verses, its applications convey a profound level of connection, from physical proximity to unwavering loyalty.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical occurrences, H1695 is used to describe three distinct types of bonds. It illustrates a deep personal loyalty, as in the case of a friend who sticketh closer than a brother Proverbs 18:24. It is also used in a physical, architectural sense to describe how the wings of the cherubim were joining to one another in the house of the LORD 2 Chronicles 3:12. Most significantly, it defines the ideal spiritual relationship with God, describing the people of Israel who did cleave unto the LORD their God Deuteronomy 4:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context of adhesion and loyalty associated with H1695:

H157 ʼâhab (to have affection for... love): This word for a loving friend is used in the same verse where a friend "sticketh closer" H1695, highlighting a bond of choice over kinship Proverbs 18:24.
H3068 Yᵉhôvâh ((the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, the Lord): This is the divine being to whom believers are called to cleave. The command to cleave H1695 to the LORD is directly linked to life Deuteronomy 4:4.
H430 ʼĕlôhîym (God): Used alongside Yᵉhôvâh, this term reinforces the divine nature of the one to whom Israel must cleave Deuteronomy 4:4.
H7453 rêaʻ (an associate... friend, neighbour): This word for "friends" appears in the context of one who "sticketh closer" H1695, framing the concept of deep loyalty within the sphere of companionship Proverbs 18:24.

Theological Significance

The conceptual weight of H1695 is significant despite its infrequent use. It defines the nature of true connection in multiple spheres.

Covenantal Faithfulness: The primary theological use of H1695 is to describe the unwavering adherence required of Israel towards God. To cleave unto the LORD is presented as a life-preserving act of loyalty and faith Deuteronomy 4:4.
Relational Depth: It elevates the concept of friendship to a level that can surpass even familial bonds. The friend that sticketh closer H1695 embodies a powerful, chosen loyalty Proverbs 18:24.
Physical and Spiritual Union: The word's application to both the physical joining of cherub wings 2 Chronicles 3:12 and the spiritual act of cleaving to God demonstrates its scope, encompassing tangible connection and profound, abstract devotion.

Summary

In summary, H1695 is a term that captures the essence of deep attachment. While it can denote a simple physical joining, its greater significance lies in describing relational and spiritual bonds. It illustrates a loyalty that can be stronger than family ties and a covenantal adherence to God that is fundamental to life, making it a concise but powerful word for understanding biblical concepts of faithfulness and union.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as an adjective across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

דְּבֵקִים
דְּבֵקָה
דָּבֵק

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Deuteronomy, 2 Chronicles, and Proverbs (1 verse each); never once in the other 36.

Deuteronomy

2 Chronicles

Proverbs

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.