a primitive root; to urge, i.e. hasten; (be) haste(-ned), pressed on.
Transliteration:dâchaph
Pronunciation:daw-khaf'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H1765}}` (דָּחַף, *dâchaph*) is a primitive verb conveying the core meaning of "to urge," "to hasten," or "to press on." Its semantic range extends to encompass the idea of being compelled or driven to act with speed and urgency. It implies a force, whether internal or external, that necessitates rapid movement or immediate action. Unlike a simple act of moving quickly, *dâchaph* often suggests a lack of choice in the speed of the action, indicating that one is "pressed" or "hastened" by circumstances or command.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H1765}}` appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, yet its occurrences are highly significant, consistently denoting a compelled or urgent acceleration of action:
* **[[2 Chronicles 26:20]]**: "And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous on his forehead! And they drove him out from there; indeed, he himself *hurried* to get out because the Lord had struck him." Here, King Uzziah's departure from the temple is not merely swift but *compelled* and *urgent* due to the sudden manifestation of leprosy, a direct divine judgment. The verb highlights the immediate and unavoidable consequence of his sin, forcing a hasty exit.
* **[[Esther 3:15]]**: "The couriers went out, *hastened* by the king's command. And the decree was issued in Susa the capital. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was perplexed." In this context, the couriers are not simply quick; they are *pressed* or *driven* by the urgency of King Ahasuerus's decree to annihilate the Jews. The word underscores the critical, time-sensitive nature of Haman's evil plot.
* **[[Esther 8:14]]**: "So the couriers, riding on royal steeds, went out, *hastened* and pressed by the king's command. And the decree was issued in Susa the capital." This occurrence mirrors [[Esther 3:15]], but in the context of Mordecai's counter-decree. The repetition emphasizes the identical urgency and compulsion applied to the messengers, highlighting the critical race against time to save the Jewish people. The swiftness here is vital for the deliverance of God's people.
Across these contexts, `{{H1765}}` consistently portrays a situation where speed is not optional but imposed, whether by divine judgment or royal imperative.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "haste" or "urgency" is expressed through various Hebrew terms, each with nuanced shades of meaning. While `{{H1765}}` emphasizes being *compelled* or *driven* to hasten, other related words include:
* `{{H4116}}` (מְהֵרָה, *meherah*): Often used as an adverb for "quickly" or "speedily," indicating rapid action without necessarily implying compulsion.
* `{{H926}}` (בָּחַל, *bachál*): Can mean to be impatient or hasty, sometimes with a negative connotation of rashness or being vexed.
* `{{H2648}}` (חָפַז, *chapaz*): To be in a hurry, to flee in haste, often out of fear or alarm (e.g., [[1 Samuel 23:26]]).
* `{{H5086}}` (נָדַח, *nadach*): To drive away or thrust out, which shares the element of forceful expulsion seen in Uzziah's case.
The distinctiveness of `{{H1765}}` lies in its emphasis on the external or internal pressure that *causes* the haste, rather than merely describing the speed itself.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of `{{H1765}}` carry significant theological weight, particularly in their demonstration of divine sovereignty and the unfolding of God's purposes:
* **Consequences of Sin:** In the account of Uzziah, the immediate and *hastened* expulsion from the temple (`{{H1765}}`) serves as a stark illustration of the swift and unavoidable consequences of defying the Lord. Divine judgment is not delayed; it compels immediate separation from the sacred.
* **Divine Providence and Deliverance:** The repeated use of `{{H1765}}` in Esther underscores the critical, time-sensitive nature of God's providential work in preserving His people. The urgency of the decrees, both for destruction and for deliverance, highlights the precision and immediacy with which God works through human agents and events to accomplish His redemptive plan. The "hastened" actions of the couriers are instrumental in the unfolding of God's salvation for Israel.
* **The Nature of Urgency in God's Economy:** While human haste can sometimes be rash or ill-advised, the "hastening" described by `{{H1765}}` in these biblical contexts is purposeful. It reveals that certain moments in salvation history demand immediate and decisive action, often driven by a force beyond human will, whether it be the weight of divine judgment or the critical nature of a divine decree.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H1765}}` (דָּחַף, *dâchaph*) is a potent verb signifying a compelled or urgent hastening. Its rare but impactful occurrences in the biblical text consistently depict individuals or actions being "pressed on" or "driven" with speed, not merely by choice but by necessity or command. Theologically, `{{H1765}}` powerfully illustrates the immediacy of divine judgment (as seen in Uzziah's expulsion) and the critical, time-sensitive nature of God's providential work in history, particularly evident in the urgent decrees of the book of Esther. It speaks to moments when God's purposes or consequences demand swift and unavoidable action.
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