intensive from the same as דְּבַשׁ; a sticky mass, i.e. the hump of acamel; hunch (of a camel).
Transliteration:dabbesheth
Pronunciation:dab-beh'-sheth
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term דַּבֶּשֶׁת (dabbesheth, `{{H1707}}`) is an intensive form derived from the same root as דְּבַשׁ (devash, `{{H1706}}`), meaning "honey." This etymological connection suggests an original sense of "stickiness," "congealed matter," or a "dense, fatty mass." Within its biblical usage, however, the semantic range of dabbesheth is highly specific and narrow, referring exclusively to the "hump" or "hunch" of a camel. This anatomical feature, composed of fatty tissue, serves as a vital energy reserve for the animal, particularly in arid environments. The link to "honey" might metaphorically describe the dense, somewhat viscous nature of the hump's contents or perhaps its appearance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word דַּבֶּשֶׁת (dabbesheth, `{{H1707}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the prophetic book of Isaiah:
* **[[Isaiah 30:6]]**: "The oracle concerning the beasts of the Negeb. Through a land of trouble and anguish, from where come the lioness and the lion, the viper and the flying serpent, they carry their riches on the backs of young donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people who cannot profit them."
In this sole occurrence, dabbesheth is part of a vivid and scathing indictment against Judah for seeking an alliance with Egypt rather than trusting in Yahweh. The prophet Isaiah describes the arduous journey through a dangerous wilderness (the Negeb) as the Judean envoys transport valuable tribute to Egypt. The mention of "the humps of camels" alongside "the backs of young donkeys" emphasizes the heavy burdens being carried. The imagery highlights the immense effort, cost, and danger involved in this misguided diplomatic mission. The camel's hump, a natural provision for sustenance in the desert, here becomes a symbol of the weighty, self-imposed burden of relying on human strength and foreign powers instead of divine faithfulness. The verse culminates in the declaration that this "people who cannot profit them" underscores the futility and eventual disappointment of such misplaced trust.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root from which דַּבֶּשֶׁת (dabbesheth, `{{H1707}}`) derives:
* **דְּבַשׁ (devash, `{{H1706}}`)**: "honey." This connection underscores the concept of a "sticky" or "congealed" substance, which provides the etymological basis for the fatty hump.
Other related concepts, though not direct lexical derivations, are crucial for understanding the context of dabbesheth:
* **גָּמָל (gamal, `{{H1581}}`)**: "camel." The animal itself is central to the meaning, as the hump is its defining characteristic.
* **מַשָּׂא (massa, `{{H4853}}`)**: "burden," "load." This concept is directly linked to the function of the camel's hump as a carrier of goods and is central to the prophetic message in [[Isaiah 30:6]].
* **בֶּצַע (betsa, `{{H1215}}`)**: "gain," "profit." The prophetic declaration that the Egyptian alliance "cannot profit them" directly contrasts with the treasures carried on the camels' humps, highlighting the ultimate futility.
### Theological Significance
While a rare and descriptive term, the solitary appearance of דַּבֶּבֶּשֶׁת (dabbesheth, `{{H1707}}`) in [[Isaiah 30:6]] imbues it with profound theological significance. It serves as a potent visual detail within a larger prophetic warning against human self-reliance and the abandonment of trust in Yahweh.
The camel's hump, a natural storehouse for life-sustaining resources in the desert, is here employed as a symbol of the heavy, self-imposed burdens incurred when Judah seeks security in foreign alliances rather than in God. The "treasures" carried on these humps represent the misplaced value and effort expended on a futile endeavor. The imagery underscores the prophet's message that true sustenance and security come only from divine provision and faithfulness, not from the "sticky mass" of human political maneuvering or material wealth. The "humps of camels" thus become a vivid metaphor for the oppressive weight of ungodly choices and the ultimate emptiness of seeking salvation apart from the Lord. It highlights the divine perspective on human endeavors that lack faith, portraying them as arduous, dangerous, and ultimately unprofitable.
### Summary
דַּבֶּשֶׁת (dabbesheth, `{{H1707}}`) is a rare Hebrew noun, etymologically linked to "honey" (`{{H1706}}`) suggesting a "sticky" or "congealed mass," but semantically narrowed to denote specifically the "hump" of a camel. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Isaiah 30:6]] provides a rich contextual understanding. In this prophetic oracle, the "humps of camels" serve as a powerful image of the heavy burdens and misplaced "treasures" carried by Judah in its futile attempt to forge an alliance with Egypt. Theologically, dabbesheth contributes to the vivid imagery of the prophet's indictment, symbolizing the weighty consequences and ultimate futility of human self-reliance and the rejection of divine trust. It underscores the principle that true security and profit are found only in faithfulness to Yahweh, not in the arduous and ultimately unprofitable paths of worldly alliances.
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