English · KJV
H1765

דָּחַף

dâchaph /daw-khaf'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto urge, i.e. hasten
KJV usage(be) haste(-ned), pressed on.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of dâchaph — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word dâchaph, represented by H1765, is a primitive root meaning to urge, i.e. hasten; (be) haste(-ned), pressed on. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, consistently describing a state of being compelled to move with speed and urgency due to an external force or internal pressure.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H1765 is predominantly used in the book of Esther to convey the speed of royal decrees. When Haman's wicked plan is enacted, the messengers are "being hastened by the king's commandment" Esther 3:15. Later, this same urgency is applied to the counter-decree that saves the Jewish people, where the posts are "pressed on" by the king's word Esther 8:14. The term also describes personal haste driven by consequence, as when Haman hasted to his house in mourning and shame Esther 6:12, or when King Azariah hasted to leave the temple after being smitten with leprosy by the LORD 2 Chronicles 26:20.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the context of this urgent movement:

  • H926 bâhal (to ... hasten anxiously): This word is used directly alongside H1765 to describe the couriers being "hastened H926 and pressed on H1765" Esther 8:14, suggesting an anxious or sudden haste. It is also used when the priests "thrust him out H926" as King Azariah himself "hasted H1765" to leave 2 Chronicles 26:20.
  • H7323 rûwts (to run ... post): This word identifies the very messengers, or "posts H7323," who are the subjects being "hastened H1765" in Esther's narrative (Esther 3:15, Esther 8:14). It defines the action these hastened individuals perform.
  • H3318 yâtsâʼ (to go ... out): This term for going out is often the result of being hastened. The posts "went out H3318, being hastened H1765" Esther 3:15, and King Azariah "hasted H1765 also to go out H3318" 2 Chronicles 26:20, linking the impetus to the resulting departure.

Theological Significance

The thematic weight of H1765 centers on the inescapable nature of powerful commands and consequences.

  • Authority and Urgency: The word is twice linked directly to a "king's commandment" (Esther 3:15, Esther 8:14). This demonstrates that the decrees of a monarch carry an inherent urgency that compels immediate action.
  • Divine Judgment: In 2 Chronicles, the haste is a direct result of God's intervention. King Azariah's need to flee is not a choice but a compulsion because "the LORD had smitten him" 2 Chronicles 26:20, showing that divine judgment also forces an urgent response.
  • Personal Shame: Haman's haste is not driven by a royal or divine command, but by the internal pressure of humiliation. He is compelled to rush home in disgrace after being forced to honor Mordecai Esther 6:12.

Summary

In summary, H1765 is a specific and potent term for being urgently impelled. Though used sparingly, its appearances are significant, highlighting moments where royal authority, divine retribution, or profound shame forces individuals to act with non-negotiable speed. It illustrates how external and internal pressures can override normal pace, compelling an immediate and hurried response.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • נִדְחַף
  • דְחוּפִים

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H926 בָּהַל a primitive root; to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agi H7323 רוּץ a primitive root; to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush); break down, divide speedily, footman, guard, bring h H3318 יָצָא a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Esther (3 verses); never once in the other 37.

1
2 Chronicles
3
Esther

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.