a primitive root; to be sick (as if in menstruation); infirmity.
Transliteration:dâvâh
Pronunciation:daw-vaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H1738 (דָּוָה, dâvâh) is a primitive root primarily conveying the sense of "to be sick," "to be faint," or "to be unwell." The base definition specifically notes "as if in menstruation," which introduces a crucial nuance of ritual impurity and debilitating weakness. This suggests a state that is not merely physically ill but also potentially ritually defiling or deeply debilitating to the point of incapacitation. The semantic range thus extends from a literal physical ailment to a more profound state of weakness, desolation, or an object of extreme abhorrence due to its defiled nature. It captures a deep-seated infirmity, whether physical, emotional, or ritually conceptualized.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Occurrences of H1738 and its derived forms are relatively few but carry significant weight in their respective contexts:
* **Isaiah 30:22**: "Then you will defile your graven images overlaid with silver and your molten images plated with gold; you will scatter them as a polluted thing; you will say to them, 'Begone!'" [[Isaiah 30:22]] Here, the derived noun דָּוֶה (daveh), from the same root, is used to describe idolatrous images. The King James Version translates it as "menstruous cloth," highlighting the extreme revulsion and defilement associated with menstruation in the Old Testament cultic law. The idols are not merely false gods but objects of utter impurity and abomination that must be cast away, emphasizing their worthlessness and the necessity of complete separation from them. This usage underscores the root's connection to ritual uncleanness and abhorrence.
* **Lamentations 1:13**: "From on high He sent fire into my bones, and it prevailed over them; He spread a net for my feet; He turned me back; He made me desolate, faint all the day." [[Lamentations 1:13]] In this poignant lament, the verb דָּוָה (dâvâh) is used to describe the state of Jerusalem/Judah. The phrase "made me desolate, faint" (וַיְדָוֶה) depicts a profound physical and emotional debilitation, a deep weariness and sickness of heart and body brought about by divine judgment. It speaks to an internal decay and pervasive weakness that leaves the nation prostrate and without strength.
* **Lamentations 5:17**: "For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim." [[Lamentations 5:17]] Again, the verb דָּוָה (dâvâh) describes the internal state of the people. The heart is "faint" or "sick," indicating overwhelming sorrow, despair, and a loss of vitality due to the devastation they have experienced. This usage reinforces the idea of a deep, debilitating internal suffering that saps all strength and hope.
Across these contexts, dâvâh consistently points to a state of profound weakness, sickness, or defilement, whether literal or metaphorical, often as a consequence of sin or divine judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of H1738 resonates with several other Hebrew words and concepts:
* **Sickness and Weakness:**
* `{{H2470}}` (châlâh): "to be sick, weak, or diseased." This is a broader term for illness.
* `{{H4245}}` (machalâh): "sickness, disease."
* `{{H7503}}` (râphâh): "to sink, relax, be slack, grow weak." This often describes a loss of strength or resolve.
dâvâh often implies a more profound and debilitating sickness than a general "sickness," sometimes linked to the very core of one's being (e.g., "heart is faint").
* **Impurity and Defilement:**
* `{{H2930}}` (ṭâmê’): "to be unclean, defiled." This is the general term for ritual impurity.
* `{{H5079}}` (niddâh): "impurity, menstruation, separation." This word is especially close in semantic range to the "as if in menstruation" aspect of dâvâh, as it specifically refers to the state of menstrual impurity and that which is cast away as unclean. The use of dâvâh in [[Isaiah 30:22]] as a "polluted thing" directly aligns with the concept of niddâh, emphasizing the utter abhorrence and defiling nature of idolatry in God's eyes.
The unique contribution of dâvâh lies in its ability to bridge the physical/emotional debilitation with the concept of ritual impurity, especially through its derived noun form, thereby conveying a sense of utter loathsomeness and debilitating weakness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H1738 (dâvâh) is profound, touching upon themes of divine judgment, human vulnerability, and God's holiness:
* **Consequence of Sin and Judgment:** In Lamentations, dâvâh vividly portrays the physical and spiritual desolation that results from divine judgment upon sin. The "faintness" of heart and body is not merely a natural consequence of suffering but a direct, debilitating effect of God's hand. It underscores that rebellion against God leads to a profound internal sickness and loss of vitality, a state of being utterly undone.
* **God's Abhorrence of Idolatry:** The use of the derived form in Isaiah to describe idols as a "polluted thing" (like a menstruous cloth) powerfully conveys God's absolute revulsion towards idolatry. It elevates idolatry beyond mere error to an active defilement that renders a nation unclean and deserving of judgment. This imagery emphasizes the radical separation God demands from anything that competes with His unique holiness and purity. Idols are not just powerless; they are actively defiling and must be cast away as an abomination.
* **Human Frailty and Dependence:** The word highlights the inherent vulnerability of humanity, particularly when confronted with divine wrath or overwhelming sorrow. It speaks to the deep, pervasive nature of suffering that can affect one's very core, leading to a state of debilitating weakness and despair. This underscores the human need for God's sustaining grace and power.
* **Holiness and Purity:** dâvâh contributes to the broader biblical narrative of God's holiness and His demand for purity from His people. The connection to menstruation, a state of ritual impurity, reinforces the idea that certain actions (like idolatry) render one utterly defiled and unacceptable in God's presence, requiring complete rejection and cleansing.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H1738 (דָּוָה, dâvâh) signifies a deep state of sickness, faintness, or debilitating weakness, often carrying the additional nuance of ritual impurity akin to menstruation. In its verbal form, as seen in Lamentations, it describes the profound physical and emotional desolation experienced as a consequence of divine judgment upon sin, leading to a "faintness" of heart and body. In its nominal form, as in Isaiah, it powerfully portrays idolatrous objects as utterly "polluted things" to be cast away with extreme revulsion, emphasizing God's absolute abhorrence of anything that defiles His holiness. Thus, dâvâh serves as a potent term to convey the debilitating effects of sin and judgment, the utter defilement of idolatry, and the pervasive nature of human suffering in the face of divine wrath, all underscoring God's demand for purity and His righteous character.
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