apparently from the same as דּוֹד; the breast (as the seat of love, or from its shape); breast, teat.
Transliteration:dad
Pronunciation:dad
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma H1717 (דַּד), transliterated as *dad*, refers fundamentally to the "breast" or "teat." Its etymological connection to H1730 (דּוֹד) (*dod*), meaning "beloved" or "love," is significant, suggesting that the term carries connotations beyond mere anatomy. The breast, in this context, is not just a physical organ but also a symbol associated with affection, intimacy, and nurture. While its core semantic range is narrow, denoting the anatomical feature, the underlying etymology imbues it with deeper resonance, allowing it to symbolize sources of delight, sustenance, or, conversely, defilement depending on the context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H1717 (דַּד) appears in a limited number of biblical passages, primarily within poetic and prophetic literature, where its imagery is employed with potent effect.
* **Proverbs 5:19**: "Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love." Here, H1717 (דַּד) (plural, *daddim*) is used in a positive light, within the context of marital fidelity and intimacy. The phrase "let her breasts satisfy thee at all times" speaks to the deep physical and emotional contentment found within a committed marriage, emphasizing the beauty and joy of conjugal love as ordained by God. This usage highlights the breast as a source of legitimate pleasure and fulfillment within the covenant of marriage.
* **Ezekiel 23:3, 8, 21**: In the book of Ezekiel, H1717 (דַּד) (plural, *daddim*) is employed within a stark and graphic allegory of Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem), personified as two sisters who engaged in spiritual harlotry.
* [[Ezekiel 23:3]]: "They committed harlotry in Egypt; they committed harlotry in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity."
* [[Ezekiel 23:8]]: "Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their whoredom upon her."
* [[Ezekiel 23:21]]: "Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, in bruising thy teats by the Egyptians for the breasts of thy youth."
In these verses, the "breasts of their virginity" symbolize the nations' early purity and their subsequent defilement through idolatrous practices and illicit alliances, particularly with Egypt. The "bruising" of the breasts signifies the violent violation of their covenantal purity and the spiritual degradation resulting from their unfaithfulness to Yahweh. This imagery powerfully conveys the severity of their apostasy, likening it to a profound act of spiritual prostitution.
The contrasting uses in Proverbs and Ezekiel demonstrate the word's capacity to represent both legitimate, God-ordained intimacy and profound spiritual defilement, underscoring the importance of context in interpreting biblical imagery.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct lexical connection for H1717 (דַּד) is its proposed derivation from H1730 (דּוֹד) (*dod*), which encompasses meanings such as "beloved," "lover," and "uncle." This etymological link suggests an inherent association of H1717 (דַּד) with concepts of affection, desire, and the object of love.
Beyond direct cognates, H1717 (דַּד) is conceptually related to:
* **Nurture and Sustenance**: While not explicitly denoting milk or nursing, the breast is universally associated with providing sustenance. This connects conceptually to themes of provision and care.
* **Intimacy and Marital Fidelity**: As seen in Proverbs, the word relates to the physical and emotional dimensions of conjugal love, linking to broader biblical themes of the sanctity of marriage and the blessings of fidelity.
* **Purity and Defilement**: In Ezekiel, the use of H1717 (דַּד) vividly illustrates the concept of spiritual purity being violated through idolatry and unfaithfulness, drawing a parallel to physical defilement. This connects to the theological framework of covenant and holiness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H1717 (דַּד) is profound, reflecting God's design for human relationships and His expectations for covenant faithfulness.
In [[Proverbs 5:19]], the positive portrayal of the breast within marriage affirms God's benevolent design for human sexuality. It underscores that physical intimacy, when experienced within the covenantal bond of marriage, is a source of joy, satisfaction, and divine blessing. This usage implicitly highlights the sacredness of marital love as a reflection of divine order and a safeguard against illicit desires. It speaks to the goodness of creation and the provision for human flourishing within established boundaries.
Conversely, the use of H1717 (דַּד) in Ezekiel carries immense theological weight as a symbol of spiritual harlotry. The "bruising of the breasts of their virginity" serves as a powerful and disturbing metaphor for Israel's profound apostasy. It signifies not merely a deviation from the law but a deep, intimate betrayal of their covenant with Yahweh. Just as physical harlotry violates trust and defiles the body, so too did Israel's idolatry and alliances with foreign nations defile their unique status as God's chosen people. This graphic imagery emphasizes God's righteous indignation against spiritual unfaithfulness and highlights the purity and exclusivity demanded by the divine-human covenant. It communicates the devastating consequences of forsaking the true God for idols, portraying it as an act of profound spiritual violation.
Thus, H1717 (דַּד) functions as a dual symbol: a representation of blessed intimacy and fulfillment when lived according to God's design, and a potent emblem of profound defilement and covenantal betrayal when purity is desecrated. It speaks to the sacredness of both physical and spiritual purity and the severe consequences of their violation.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H1717 (דַּד) (*dad*) denotes the "breast" or "teat," with an apparent etymological link to H1730 (דּוֹד) ("love" or "beloved"). Its biblical occurrences present a striking duality in its symbolic meaning. In [[Proverbs 5:19]], H1717 (דַּד) positively signifies the source of satisfaction and delight within the sanctity of marriage, affirming the goodness of God-ordained conjugal intimacy. In stark contrast, the prophet Ezekiel employs H1717 (דַּד) repeatedly in [[Ezekiel 23:3, 8, 21]] within a graphic allegory, where the "breasts of their virginity" symbolize the spiritual purity of Israel and Judah, subsequently "bruised" through their idolatrous practices and illicit alliances. This allegorical usage powerfully conveys the depth of their spiritual harlotry and covenantal betrayal. The theological significance of H1717 (דַּד) thus encompasses both the blessedness of legitimate intimacy and the severe consequences of spiritual defilement and breach of covenant with God.
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