### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word דּוֹנַג (dôwnag), transliterated as dôwnag (Strong's `{{H1749}}`), primarily denotes "wax." Its derivation is noted as uncertain, suggesting it may be an ancient, perhaps onomatopoeic or borrowed, term for this substance. The semantic range of dôwnag is quite narrow, referring specifically to the physical material known for its distinctive property of softening and melting when exposed to heat. This inherent characteristic is central to its metaphorical and figurative uses in the biblical text, where it consistently illustrates dissolution, weakness, or destruction under intense pressure or heat.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term dôwnag appears three times in the Hebrew Bible, exclusively within the book of Psalms, where it is consistently employed in powerful similes to convey states of extreme vulnerability or divine power:
* **[[Psalm 22:14]]**: "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax, it is melted within my breast."
In this deeply poignant lament, the psalmist (traditionally associated with David, and prophetically with Christ's suffering) uses "wax" to describe an overwhelming state of physical and emotional collapse. The "heart like wax, melted within my breast" vividly portrays profound despair, utter weakness, and the complete loss of internal fortitude. It speaks to a feeling of dissolution and helplessness in the face of intense suffering.
* **[[Psalm 68:2]]**: "As smoke is driven away, so you drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked perish before God."
Here, dôwnag serves as a powerful metaphor for divine judgment and the swift, inevitable destruction of the wicked. Just as wax has no resistance against fire, so too do the enemies of God utterly dissolve and vanish in His presence. The imagery emphasizes the overwhelming and irresistible power of God to bring about justice and eliminate opposition.
* **[[Psalm 97:5]]**: "The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth."
This verse employs dôwnag to illustrate the awe-inspiring majesty and absolute sovereignty of God. Even the most stable and formidable elements of creation, the mountains, are depicted as melting like wax in the presence of the Lord. This signifies God's supreme power, before which all earthly might and permanence are rendered insignificant. It evokes a sense of theophany, where the very natural order responds to the divine presence.
In all occurrences, the core property of wax—its susceptibility to melting—is leveraged to create vivid and impactful imagery, whether describing human frailty or divine might.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "wax" (dôwnag) is inherently linked to ideas of dissolution, change, and the effects of heat or divine presence. Related Hebrew words and concepts include:
* **Melting/Dissolving**: Verbs such as מָסַס (mâsas, `{{H4549}}`, "to melt, dissolve") and נָמַק (nâmaq, `{{H5140}}`, "to melt away, decay") describe the process that dôwnag undergoes. These words often appear in contexts of fear, despair, or divine judgment, paralleling the uses of dôwnag.
* **Fire/Heat**: The agent causing wax to melt, represented by terms like אֵשׁ (esh, `{{H784}}`, "fire") or concepts of intense heat, is implicitly or explicitly present in the imagery associated with dôwnag's melting.
* **Perishing/Destruction**: The outcome of wax melting often symbolizes the complete demise or eradication of something, drawing parallels with verbs like אָבַד (abad, `{{H6}}`, "to perish, destroy") or כָּרַת (karath, `{{H3772}}`, "to cut off, destroy").
* **Divine Presence/Theophany**: The presence of God is the ultimate "fire" or "heat" that causes the "wax" (wicked, mountains) to melt, connecting to concepts of God's glory, holiness, and power.
* **Human Weakness/Frailty**: In the context of [[Psalm 22:14]], dôwnag relates to the fragility and vulnerability of the human condition, particularly in suffering, contrasting with divine strength.
The figurative use of dôwnag relies heavily on simile, comparing the melting of wax to the dissolution of the wicked or the overwhelming nature of God's presence.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of dôwnag primarily revolves around two profound themes:
1. **The Overwhelming Power and Judgment of God**: The most prominent theological use of dôwnag is as a powerful metaphor for God's irresistible might and the certainty of His judgment. In [[Psalm 68:2]] and [[Psalm 97:5]], the melting of wax before fire vividly illustrates that nothing—neither human wickedness nor the most formidable natural elements—can stand before the Lord. This underscores God's absolute sovereignty, His unchallengeable authority, and the inevitable triumph of His justice. It serves as a stark warning to the wicked and a comforting assurance to the righteous that God is in ultimate control.
2. **Human Frailty and Despair in Suffering**: In [[Psalm 22:14]], dôwnag highlights the extreme vulnerability and despondency of the human condition, especially in the throes of deep suffering. The "heart like wax" conveys a profound sense of physical and emotional dissolution, a complete loss of strength, courage, and hope. Theologically, this verse speaks to the depths of human anguish that can be experienced, and in its prophetic fulfillment, points to the unparalleled suffering of Christ on the cross, whose human nature truly experienced such profound weakness and despair.
In essence, dôwnag serves as a dramatic literary device to contrast the ephemeral, dissolvable nature of creation and human opposition with the eternal, unchangeable, and all-consuming power of the Holy God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דּוֹנַג (dôwnag, `{{H1749}}`) refers literally to "wax," a substance known for its property of melting under heat. Though appearing only three times in the Psalms, its usage is highly impactful and consistently metaphorical. It powerfully illustrates two key theological concepts: the overwhelming and irresistible power of God, particularly in judgment, where the wicked or even mountains dissolve before His presence ([[Psalm 68:2]], [[Psalm 97:5]]); and the profound depths of human weakness, despair, and physical dissolution experienced in suffering ([[Psalm 22:14]]). The imagery of melting wax vividly conveys the transient and fragile nature of all that opposes or stands before the eternal, all-powerful Lord.
TRV