a primitive root; to drip; by implication, to weep; drop through, melt, pour out.
Transliteration:dâlaph
Pronunciation:daw-laf'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root דָּלַף (dâlaph, `{{H1811}}`) is a primitive root carrying the core meaning of "to drip" or "to drop." This primary sense evokes the image of a slow, continuous, and often unwelcome flow of liquid. From this literal meaning, the semantic range extends to several related concepts. By implication, it can signify "to weep," where tears are seen as a continuous "dripping" from the eyes, often indicative of deep sorrow. Further extensions include "to drop through," suggesting penetration or leakage, and "to melt" or "to pour out," which can describe a dissolving or liquefying process, especially in an emotional or metaphorical sense. The essence of dâlaph thus lies in the idea of a persistent, often irritating, or deeply affecting leakage or dissolution.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root דָּלַף (dâlaph, `{{H1811}}`) appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, but its few occurrences provide rich contextual insight into its various nuances:
* **Proverbs 19:13**: "A foolish son is the ruin of his father, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping." Here, the noun form מִדְלַף (midlaph), derived from dâlaph, is used metaphorically. It likens the incessant quarrels of a contentious wife to a relentless, irritating, and destructive drip. The image conveys an inescapable and wearing annoyance that gradually erodes peace and well-being, much like water slowly damages a structure.
* **Proverbs 27:15**: "A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike." This proverb reiterates and strengthens the imagery from Proverbs 19:13. The noun דֶּלֶף (delef) is used, directly referencing the physical phenomenon of a leak. The comparison underscores the inescapable, persistent, and deeply irritating nature of a contentious spouse, emphasizing the lack of respite from such an affliction.
* **Ecclesiastes 10:18**: "Through slothfulness the roof sinks in, and through idleness the house leaks." In this instance, the verb יִדְלֹף (yidloph), a Qal imperfect form of dâlaph, is used literally to describe a physical leak in a building. The verse attributes this decay to negligence and idleness, highlighting the tangible consequences of a lack of diligence and foresight. The "dripping" here signifies a process of gradual deterioration and ruin.
* **Psalm 119:28**: "My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!" Here, the Qal perfect form דָּלְפָה (dalphah) is employed with profound emotional depth. The psalmist describes their soul as "dripping away" or "melting" due to intense sorrow. This is the primary instance where the "weep" or "melt" implication of the root is fully realized, conveying a sense of utter emotional dissolution and vulnerability. It is a cry for divine strength and sustenance in the face of overwhelming grief.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of dâlaph (`{{H1811}}`) connects it to several other Hebrew words and concepts. Its literal sense of "dripping" or "leaking" relates to words like נָטַף (nāṭap, `{{H5064}}`), "to drop" or "to distill," often used for dew or honey, and נָזַל (nāzal, `{{H5140}}`), "to flow" or "to stream." The association with water and rain also links it to מַיִם (mayim, `{{H4325}}`, "water") and גֶּשֶׁם (geshem, `{{H1653}}`, "rain").
In its metaphorical application to sorrow and weeping, dâlaph stands alongside numerous terms for tears and emotional distress, such as בָּכָה (bāḵâ, `{{H1058}}`, "to weep"), דְּמַע (demaʿ, `{{H1831}}`, "tear"), and דִּמְעָה (dimʿâ, `{{H1826}}`, "tears"). The idea of gradual decay or ruin, as seen in Ecclesiastes, connects to concepts of destruction like שָׁחַת (shaḥath, `{{H7843}}`, "to corrupt, destroy") or פָּרַץ (pārats, `{{H6544}}`, "to break out, break through"). The common thread is a process that, though perhaps slow, leads to significant and often negative outcomes.
### Theological Significance
The word דָּלַף (dâlaph, `{{H1811}}`), though infrequent, carries significant theological weight by illustrating profound truths about human experience and divine principles.
In the Proverbs, the "continual dripping" serves as a powerful metaphor for the destructive nature of domestic strife and contentious relationships. It highlights how persistent disharmony, even if not overtly violent, can slowly but surely erode the foundation of a home and the peace of its inhabitants. This underscores the biblical emphasis on wisdom, self-control, and the cultivation of harmonious relationships as essential for well-being. Such "dripping" is presented as a consequence of folly, a stark contrast to the blessings of a wise and peaceful household.
In Ecclesiastes, the literal "leaking" roof due to idleness speaks to the consequences of neglect and slothfulness. It serves as an object lesson for the broader principle that lack of diligence in any area of life, whether physical or spiritual, leads to decay and ruin. This aligns with the biblical call to stewardship and responsibility, reminding humanity that creation and order require active maintenance.
Finally, in Psalm 119, the "melting" or "dripping" of the soul in sorrow offers a poignant portrayal of profound human suffering and vulnerability. It is a raw expression of emotional distress so intense that the very essence of the self feels like it is dissolving. Yet, within this cry of anguish, there is a profound theological response: the psalmist immediately turns to God's word for strength and sustenance. This illustrates the biblical understanding that true comfort and resilience in the face of overwhelming sorrow are found in divine faithfulness and the life-giving power of God's revelation. dâlaph here becomes a vehicle for expressing deep spiritual dependency and trust.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דָּלַף (dâlaph, `{{H1811}}`) fundamentally describes a slow, continuous "dripping" or "leaking." Its rare but potent appearances in the biblical text illustrate both literal and metaphorical applications. Literally, it depicts a physical leak in a structure, signifying the decay brought about by neglect, as seen in Ecclesiastes. Metaphorically, particularly in Proverbs, it powerfully conveys the persistent, erosive annoyance of contentious relationships, likening them to an inescapable, destructive drip. Most profoundly, in Psalm 119, dâlaph describes the soul "melting away" from sorrow, a vivid expression of deep emotional dissolution and the profound human need for divine strengthening. Across its uses, dâlaph underscores themes of gradual decay due to idleness, the corrosive nature of strife, and the depth of human emotional vulnerability, ultimately pointing to the biblical call for wisdom, diligence, and reliance on God's sustaining word in the face of life's challenges.
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