a primitive root,; to brood over eggs or young; gather, sit.
Transliteration:dâgar
Pronunciation:daw-gar'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb דָּגַר (dâgar, `{{H1716}}`) is a primitive root whose core meaning is "to brood over eggs or young." This action inherently implies a posture of sitting, hence the extended meaning "to sit," but specifically in the context of incubation and nurturing. It also encompasses the sense of "to gather," as a bird gathers its young under its wings for warmth and protection. The semantic range thus centers on the intimate, protective, and life-sustaining act of a bird tending to its offspring. It evokes imagery of warmth, security, and the process of bringing forth life from an egg.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb דָּגַר (dâgar, `{{H1716}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance offering a distinct and significant contextual usage:
1. **[[Isaiah 34:15]]**: "There the owl nests and lays eggs, and hatches them and gathers her young under her shadow; there also the falcons are gathered, each one with its mate."
In this prophetic passage concerning the desolation of Edom, the imagery is one of utter ruin and abandonment, where wild, unclean animals will take permanent residence. The verb דָּגַר (dâgar) is used literally to describe the owl's action of "brooding" or "sitting" on its eggs and young. The phrase "under her shadow" (בְצִלָּהּ) emphasizes the protective and nurturing aspect of this brooding. The presence of such creatures, nesting and raising their young, signifies the complete and irreversible transformation of a once inhabited land into a desolate wilderness, a dwelling place for the wild.
2. **[[Jeremiah 17:11]]**: "Like a partridge that broods on eggs it did not lay, so is the one who gains wealth unjustly; in the midst of his days he will leave it, and at his end he will be a fool."
Here, דָּגַר (dâgar) is employed metaphorically in a proverb that condemns ill-gotten gain. The partridge (קֹרֵא) was believed to sometimes steal eggs from other birds or, if disturbed, abandon its own nest, leading to the perception that it "broods on eggs it did not lay." This action is presented as futile and ultimately unproductive. The analogy is drawn to the person who acquires wealth through unrighteous means: just as the partridge's efforts are in vain, so too will the ill-gotten riches not remain with the unjust accumulator. They will lose it, and their end will be marked by folly, highlighting the transient and unstable nature of wealth not blessed by God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of brooding and protection by birds is a recurring motif in biblical literature, often used metaphorically to describe divine care. While דָּגַר (dâgar, `{{H1716}}`) specifically denotes the physical act of brooding, it resonates with broader themes:
* **Nesting and Incubation:** The act of דָּגַר (dâgar) is inextricably linked to the process of nesting (קֵן, `{{H7064}}`) and hatching.
* **Parental Care/Protection:** The image of a bird protecting its young under its wings is a powerful metaphor for God's care for His people (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 32:11]], [[Psalm 91:4]], [[Matthew 23:37]] where Jesus laments over Jerusalem, desiring to gather them "as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings"). This imagery often employs words like כָּנָף (kanaph, `{{H3671}}`, "wing") and חָסָה (chasah, `{{H2620}}`, "to take refuge").
* **Sitting:** While the general verb for "to sit" is יָשַׁב (yashab, `{{H3498}}`), דָּגַר (dâgar) specifies a particular, purposeful kind of sitting related to incubation.
* **Futility and Injustice:** In Jeremiah, the metaphorical use of דָּגַר (dâgar) connects it to the concepts of injustice, vanity, and the fleeting nature of unrighteous gain.
### Theological Significance
The rare but potent occurrences of דָּגַר (dâgar, `{{H1716}}`) offer significant theological insights:
1. **Divine Judgment and Desolation:** In [[Isaiah 34:15]], the literal use of דָּגַר (dâgar) contributes to the vivid picture of divine judgment. The land, once inhabited by humans, becomes so utterly desolate that only wild, often ritually unclean, creatures can establish permanent homes there, brooding and raising their young. This signifies a complete and irreversible abandonment by God, a land given over to chaos and the natural order of the wild.
2. **Moral Justice and the Futility of Injustice:** The metaphorical use in [[Jeremiah 17:11]] is a profound statement on divine justice. It illustrates that wealth acquired through unrighteous means, though seemingly prosperous for a time, is inherently unstable and ultimately unproductive. Just as the partridge's brooding on stolen eggs will not lead to its own offspring, so too will ill-gotten gains not bring lasting blessing or security. This passage underscores the principle that true prosperity and stability come from righteous living and trust in the Lord, not from human cunning or exploitation. It serves as a warning against covetousness and a testament to God's moral order.
3. **Echoes of Divine Care (Implied):** While דָּגַג (dâgar) is not directly applied to God, the very act it describes—brooding, nurturing, protecting—is a powerful image of parental care. This imagery is frequently used in the Bible to describe God's tender and protective relationship with His people, drawing parallels between the bird's care for its young and God's unwavering providence. The word, therefore, subtly contributes to the broader biblical tapestry of God as a caring, sheltering presence, even as it highlights human folly when that care is rejected or ignored.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb דָּגַר (dâgar, `{{H1716}}`) primarily denotes the act of "brooding over eggs or young," implying nurturing, protection, and incubation. Though appearing only twice in the Bible, its usage is highly significant. In [[Isaiah 34:15]], it literally describes an owl brooding in a desolate Edom, underscoring the completeness of divine judgment and abandonment. More profoundly, in [[Jeremiah 17:11]], it is used metaphorically to liken the acquisition of unjust wealth to a partridge brooding on eggs it did not lay—a futile and ultimately unproductive endeavor. This highlights a core theological principle: that which is gained unrighteously will not endure, contrasting sharply with the stability and fruitfulness of God's blessings. While not directly applied to God, the core action of dâgar resonates with the broader biblical imagery of divine, protective care, making its rare occurrences powerful illustrations of both judgment and moral truth.
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