The Hebrew word dîyg, represented by H1770, is a verb meaning to fish. It is a denominative from the word for fish (דָּג) and appears only 1 time in a single verse in the entire Bible. Its sole usage is metaphorical, describing a divine action of gathering or capturing people.
The single biblical occurrence of H1770 is in Jeremiah 16:16. In this prophetic passage, God declares His intention to bring judgment upon or gather His people in a comprehensive manner. The Lord says He will send for many fishers, "and they shall fish them." This action is immediately followed by a parallel statement that He will send for hunters to hunt them from every mountain and hill. This context establishes that the act of fishing is not literal, but a figure of speech for an inescapable divine summons.
Several related words provide a fuller picture of the imagery used in this context:
- H1771 dayâg (a fisherman; fisher): This is the noun form of the person who performs the action. It is used in the same verse, where God sends for "fishers" Jeremiah 16:16, and also in Isaiah, where fishers mourn and languish Isaiah 19:8.
- H6679 tsûwd (to catch an animal (figuratively, men); chase, hunt): This verb is used in parallel with H1770 in Jeremiah 16:16, where hunters will "hunt" the people. It is frequently used for pursuing people, such as hunting a brother with a net Micah 7:2 or hunting souls Ezekiel 13:18.
- H6719 tsayâd (a huntsman; hunter): This is the noun for the one who hunts, serving as the direct parallel to "fisher" in the declaration made in Jeremiah 16:16.
- H7971 shâlach (to send away, for, or out): This verb is critical to the context, as God is the one who will "send" the fishers. This same word is used when God sends His word to heal Psalms 107:20 or sends His anointed messenger to proclaim liberty Isaiah 61:1.
The theological weight of H1770 is derived entirely from its singular, metaphorical use.
- Divine Judgment as Gathering: The act of being "fished" is presented as part of a divine plan. It portrays God's sovereign ability to gather people for His purposes, whether for judgment or restoration, using human agents He has commissioned.
- Inescapable Summons: Paired with the imagery of hunting, fishing here signifies a thorough and inescapable action. The targets will be caught from the waters and then pursued over every mountain, hill, and rock, leaving no place to hide Jeremiah 16:16.
- God as the Initiator: The action is initiated by God, who "sends" the fishers Jeremiah 16:16. The use of the verb H7971, shâlach, links this act to other moments where God sends forth His word, His prophets, or His saving power, highlighting His direct authority over the event.
In summary, while dîyg H1770 is one of the rarest verbs in the Bible, its lone appearance is rich with meaning. It functions as a powerful metaphor for God's comprehensive and inescapable work of gathering people. Placed alongside the imagery of hunting in Jeremiah 16:16, it illustrates the absolute sovereignty of God in carrying out His divine will, commissioning agents to ensure His purposes are fulfilled.
TRV