from דּוּד; a boiler or basket; also the mandrake (as an aphrodisiac); basket, mandrake.
Transliteration:dûwday
Pronunciation:doo-dah'-ee
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term דּוּדַי (dûwday, `{{H1736}}`) presents a fascinating semantic duality, derived from the root דּוּד (dûwd, `{{H1731}}`), which primarily signifies a "pot," "jar," or "basket." This etymological connection directly informs one of its primary meanings: a container, specifically a "basket" or "boiler." This usage points to an object of common utility in daily life, used for carrying or cooking.
However, the word also carries a distinct and widely recognized meaning: "mandrake" (Mandragora officinarum). This application is rooted in the plant's historical association with fertility and aphrodisiac properties, a belief prevalent in the ancient Near East. The inclusion of this botanical meaning alongside the utilitarian "basket" highlights the capacity of Hebrew words to encompass disparate concepts, often tied to cultural beliefs or observed characteristics. Thus, דּוּדַי encompasses both the mundane and the mystically significant, a common vessel and a plant imbued with special powers.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of דּוּדַי (dûwday, `{{H1736}}`) in the Hebrew Bible are few but significant, clearly illustrating its dual semantic range.
1. **As "Baskets" or "Boilers":**
* In [[2 Kings 10:7]], the term appears in the context of the seventy sons of Ahab being brought to Jehu in "baskets" (דּוּדַי). Here, it denotes a container for transport, emphasizing the gruesome nature of the act.
* [[Jeremiah 24:2]] describes two "baskets" (דּוּדַי) of figs, one good and one bad, used in a prophetic vision to symbolize the exiles and those left in Jerusalem. This usage again refers to a common container, serving as a visual aid for a divine message.
* [[Psalm 81:6]] (or [[Psalm 81:7]] in some translations) uses the related form, "His hands were freed from the basket" (מִדּוּד), likely referring to a burden-basket, symbolizing liberation from slavery or oppressive labor. While not precisely דּוּדַי, it underscores the root's connection to containers of burden.
2. **As "Mandrake":**
* The most prominent and theologically rich occurrences are found in [[Genesis 30:14-16]]. Here, Reuben, Leah's son, finds דּוּדַי (mandrake plants) in the field. Rachel, barren at this point, desperately desires them from Leah, offering Jacob's time in exchange. This narrative is pivotal:
* Rachel's intense desire for the mandrakes reflects the ancient belief in their efficacy as fertility aids. Her desperation highlights the immense cultural pressure on women to bear children, particularly sons, in the patriarchal society.
* Leah, despite having children, agrees to the exchange, perhaps also hoping for continued fertility or a stronger bond with Jacob.
* Crucially, despite the human machinations involving the mandrakes, it is God who ultimately "remembered Rachel" ([[Genesis 30:22]]) and opened her womb, not the plant itself. This subtly underscores divine sovereignty over human efforts and superstitions.
The contextual analysis reveals that while the "basket" meaning is utilitarian, the "mandrake" meaning is deeply embedded in the narrative of Israel's patriarchs, touching upon themes of barrenness, divine intervention, and human reliance on perceived remedies.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of דּוּדַי (dûwday, `{{H1736}}`) naturally connects to several semantic fields and related terms:
* **Root Word:** The direct etymological root is דּוּד (dûwd, `{{H1731}}`), meaning "pot," "jar," or "basket." This connection solidifies the "container" aspect of דּוּדַי. Other words for containers include כְּלִי (keli, `{{H3627}}`), a general term for a vessel or implement, and סַל (sal, `{{H5536}}`), specifically a "basket" (as seen in [[Genesis 40:16]]).
* **Plants and Flora:** The "mandrake" meaning places דּוּדַי within the broader category of biblical flora. Other significant plants include the lily (שׁוֹשַׁן, shoshan, `{{H7799}}`), myrrh (מוֹר, mor, `{{H4753}}`), and various trees. The mandrake's distinctiveness lies in its perceived medicinal/aphrodisiac properties, setting it apart from plants primarily noted for beauty or sustenance.
* **Fertility and Barrenness:** The narrative in [[Genesis 30]] links דּוּדַי directly to the concepts of fertility (פָּרָה, parah, `{{H6509}}`, "to be fruitful") and barrenness (עָקָר, aqar, `{{H6135}}`, "barren"). Other instances of divine intervention in barrenness include Sarah ([[Genesis 21:1-2]]) and Hannah ([[1 Samuel 1:5-20]]), emphasizing God's ultimate control over life. The mention of "love-apples" (as mandrakes were sometimes called due to their supposed properties) connects to biblical concepts of love and desire (אַהֲבָה, ahava, `{{H160}}`).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of דּוּדַי (dûwday, `{{H1736}}`) is most profoundly expressed through its meaning as "mandrake" in the Genesis account. The narrative of Rachel and Leah's struggle for children, involving the mandrakes, serves as a powerful theological statement about divine sovereignty versus human effort and superstition.
Rachel's desperate pursuit of the mandrakes reflects a common ancient Near Eastern belief in their power to induce fertility. Her actions underscore the immense cultural and personal pressure to bear children, particularly sons, as a sign of blessing and status. However, the biblical text deliberately subverts this reliance on folk remedies. Despite the exchange and Rachel's acquisition of the mandrakes, it is not until God "remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb" ([[Genesis 30:22]]) that she conceives Joseph.
This sequence highlights a crucial theological principle: God alone is the giver of life and the one who opens and closes the womb. Human attempts to manipulate or force divine blessing through external means (like mandrakes) are ultimately futile without God's sovereign will. The story subtly critiques reliance on superstition and redirects faith towards the Creator. It emphasizes that true fruitfulness comes from divine favor, not from magical plants.
In its "basket" meaning, while less direct in theological import, דּוּדַי can represent the containers of daily life, sometimes carrying burdens ([[Psalm 81:6]]) or serving as instruments in divine judgment or prophetic symbolism ([[Jeremiah 24:2]]). These uses reinforce the biblical portrayal of God's involvement in the mundane and the extraordinary aspects of human existence.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דּוּדַי (dûwday, `{{H1736}}`) is a term with a compelling dual semantic range, referring both to a utilitarian "basket" or "boiler" and to the "mandrake" plant. While its "basket" usage is straightforward, appearing in contexts related to carrying or storage, its "mandrake" meaning carries significant theological weight. Primarily found in [[Genesis 30:14-16]], the mandrake narrative illustrates the ancient belief in the plant's fertility-enhancing properties. However, the biblical account masterfully employs this cultural detail to underscore a profound theological truth: ultimate control over life and fruitfulness rests with God alone, not with human efforts or superstitious remedies. The narrative serves as a testament to divine sovereignty, reminding the reader that God's plan unfolds independently of, and often in contrast to, human machinations.
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