דָּחָה

dâchâh /daw-khaw'/ Ask about this word
Meaningor דָּחַח; (Jeremiah 23:12), a primitive root; to push down
KJV usagechase, drive away (on), overthrow, outcast, thrust, totter.
Idioms & phrasesidiom sore
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word dâchâh, represented by H1760, is a primitive root with a core meaning of forceful displacement. Its definitions include to push down, chase, drive away, overthrow, outcast, thrust, and totter. This dynamic term appears 11 times in 10 unique verses, illustrating actions of both divine judgment and human antagonism.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H1760 is used to convey a range of meanings from a state of being to a violent action. The wicked are described as being driven away in their wickedness Proverbs 14:32, and those who oppose a righteous man are compared to a tottering fence, destined for ruin Psalms 62:3. In a personal plea, the psalmist cries out against an enemy who has thrust sore at him Psalms 118:13. Conversely, the word is used to identify the "outcasts of Israel," whom the Lord promises to gather and restore (Psalms 147:2, Isaiah 11:12).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help frame the context of being pushed or overthrown:

  • H5307 nâphal (to fall): This word often describes the direct result of the action of H1760. An enemy will thrust H1760 at someone so that they might fall H5307, as seen in Psalms 118:13.
  • H3664 kânaç (to collect; gather): This term frequently appears as the divine counter-action to being an outcast. While people may be cast out, the Lord "gathereth together" H3664 the outcasts H1760 of Israel Psalms 147:2.
  • H5826 ʻâzar (to help, succour): This represents the divine intervention that prevents a successful overthrow. When the psalmist was thrust H1760 at, he declared, "...but the LORD helped me" Psalms 118:13.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1760 is seen in its dual application to both judgment and redemption.

  • Forceful Judgment: The word describes the consequence of wickedness. The wicked are not merely left alone; they are actively driven on into darkness Jeremiah 23:12 and chased by the angel of the Lord Psalms 35:5, demonstrating the active nature of divine justice.
  • Human Vulnerability: H1760 illustrates the precarious position of the righteous when attacked by enemies. Men purpose to overthrow the steps of the godly Psalms 140:4, highlighting a reliance on divine preservation.
  • Promise of Restoration: The concept of the "outcast" is a central theme of hope. God's character is revealed in His promise to assemble H622 and gather H6908 the outcasts H1760 of Israel, turning a state of rejection into one of divine restoration (Isaiah 11:12, Isaiah 56:8).

Summary

In summary, H1760 is a powerful word that captures the essence of forceful expulsion and instability. It functions as a descriptor for divine judgment against the wicked, the hostile actions of enemies against the righteous, and the vulnerable state of being an outcast. Crucially, this state of being cast out is not final, as the term is set in contrast to God's promise to gather His people, providing a foundation for the biblical theme of restoration.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 12 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms.

  • Niphal Participle Plural Masculine Construct 3×
  • Niphal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Niphal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Pual Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Absolute 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Participle Passive Singular Feminine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Perfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Pual
The passive of the intensive (Piel) stem.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 10 verses across 4 books. Most frequent in Psalms (6 verses).

6
Psalms
1
Proverbs
2
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah

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