a primitive root; properly, to gyrate (or move in a circle), i.e. to remain; dwell.
Transliteration:dûwr
Pronunciation:dure
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H1752}}` (דּוּר, *dûwr*) is a primitive root whose most fundamental meaning is "to gyrate" or "to move in a circle." This literal sense of circular motion extends semantically to the idea of "remaining" or "abiding" in a fixed place or state, leading to its common translation as "to dwell." The nuance implied by its original meaning suggests a continuous, persistent presence, perhaps even a cyclical or enduring quality, rather than merely a temporary stay. It signifies a settled or established habitation, reflecting an ongoing presence within a specific sphere or location.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As a verb, `{{H1752}}` appears in relatively few contexts, yet each instance illuminates its specific nuance:
* In [[Psalm 84:10]], the psalmist declares, "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than *dwell* (אֲדוּרָה, *ʾădûrâ*) in the tents of wickedness." Here, *dûwr* emphasizes a settled, persistent habitation. The psalmist expresses a profound desire for continuous, enduring presence in God's holy dwelling, contrasting it with a prolonged stay in unrighteous environments. The choice is not merely to visit, but to *abide* or *remain* in God's presence.
* [[Isaiah 29:10]] presents a more metaphorical usage: "For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep; He has closed your eyes, the prophets, and covered your heads, the seers." (KJV: "For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.") The verb here (וַיְדַוֵּר, *waydəwēr*, often translated "covered" or "closed") is sometimes interpreted as "to dwell" in a state of stupor or blindness, implying a persistent, inescapable condition. This usage aligns with the root's sense of remaining fixed in a state.
* In [[Isaiah 44:13]], concerning the making of an idol, it states: "He carves it with tools and works it with a compass; he shapes it with a plane and marks it with a compass. He makes it like the figure of a man, like the beauty of a man, to *dwell* (לָדוּר, *lādûr*) in a house." Here, *dûwr* describes the idol's intended purpose: to permanently reside within a human dwelling. The irony is poignant; a lifeless object is fashioned to "dwell" in a static, inert manner, in stark contrast to the living God who actively dwells among His people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is the noun `{{H1753}}` (דּוֹר, *dôr*), meaning "generation" or "age." This noun is directly derived from the same root `{{H1752}}` and powerfully illustrates the semantic progression. A "generation" is understood as a cycle of human life, a group of people who "dwell" together through a period of time, or a complete "round" of human existence. This connection underscores the idea of enduring through time, whether a physical dwelling or a temporal one.
Other common Hebrew verbs for "dwelling" include:
* `{{H3427}}` (יָשַׁב, *yāšaḇ*): Often means "to sit," "to settle," "to inhabit." It emphasizes the act of settling down and residing.
* `{{H7931}}` (שָׁכַן, *šāḵan*): Implies "to tabernacle," "to settle down," or "to dwell," often used in contexts of divine presence, suggesting a temporary or portable dwelling (like the tabernacle) that nonetheless signifies a real presence.
While *yāšaḇ* and *šāḵan* are more frequently used for general or divine dwelling, *dûwr* (H1752) carries the particular nuance of a persistent, fixed, or enduring presence, stemming from its root meaning of circular motion leading to stability.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1752}}` is primarily tied to the concept of enduring presence and the nature of habitation, both for humanity and in relation to the divine.
1. **Persistent Presence:** The desire to "dwell" in the courts of the Lord ([[Psalm 84:10]]) speaks to a profound longing for sustained communion with God. It moves beyond fleeting encounters to a deep, abiding relationship, a continuous presence in the sphere of God's holiness. This reflects a commitment to a life lived in God's presence, rather than merely visiting.
2. **Human Condition and Choice:** The contrasting "dwelling in the tents of wickedness" ([[Psalm 84:10]]) highlights the moral choice inherent in human habitation. Where one chooses to "dwell" signifies allegiance and character. Similarly, the "dwelling" in a state of spiritual stupor ([[Isaiah 29:10]]) illustrates the enduring consequences of spiritual blindness and disobedience, where a people can become fixed in a state of unresponsiveness to God.
3. **Idolatry's Futility:** The idol's "dwelling" in a house ([[Isaiah 44:13]]) serves as a stark theological contrast. While humans create idols to "dwell" in fixed places, making them seem permanent and powerful, they are ultimately lifeless and inert. This underscores the futility of worshipping anything other than the living God, who is not confined to a static dwelling but actively present and dynamic.
4. **Generational Continuity (via `{{H1753}}`):** Though `{{H1752}}` is the verb, its strong connection to `{{H1753}}` ("generation") implies God's faithfulness and interaction with humanity across successive cycles of time. God's covenant promises endure from "generation to generation," signifying His continuous engagement with His people through history.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H1752}}` (דּוּר, *dûwr*) originates from the concept of "gyrating" or "moving in a circle," which semantically extends to "remaining" or "dwelling." Its usage in biblical texts emphasizes a persistent, fixed, or enduring presence, whether in a physical location (as in an idol dwelling in a house, [[Isaiah 44:13]]) or in a spiritual state (as in dwelling in God's courts or in spiritual stupor, [[Psalm 84:10]], [[Isaiah 29:10]]). Unlike other words for dwelling, *dûwr* carries a nuance of continuous, perhaps even cyclical, abiding. Its close relationship with the noun `{{H1753}}` ("generation") further highlights the idea of enduring through time and successive cycles of human existence, underscoring both human choices in their enduring consequences and the steadfast nature of divine interaction throughout history.
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