דָּלַק

dâlaq /daw-lak'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto flame (literally or figuratively)
KJV usageburning, chase, inflame, kindle, persecute(-or), pursue hotly.
Copy as

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word dâlaq, represented by H1814, is a primitive root meaning to flame, either literally or figuratively. It is translated in various ways, including burning, chase, inflame, kindle, persecute, and pursue hotly. It appears 9 times across 9 unique verses, highlighting its specific and intense applications in scripture.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H1814 carries a dual meaning of both literal fire and figurative, heated pursuit. It describes the aggressive, hostile action of enemies, as when the wicked persecute the poor Psalms 10:2 or when persecutors pursued the people upon the mountains Lamentations 4:19. This sense of urgent pursuit is also seen when Jacob confronts Laban for having so hotly pursued after him Genesis 31:36. In a literal sense, the word is used in the command to "heap on wood, kindle the fire" Ezekiel 24:10 and prophetically when the house of Jacob is said to kindle in the house of Esau like a fire in stubble Obadiah 1:18.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H1814 is used:

  • H7291 râdaph (to run after): This root is used for the act of persecution itself, often in parallel with H1814. It means to chase or follow with hostile intent, as seen when Israel's persecutors H7291 hotly pursued H1814 them Lamentations 4:19.
  • H7563 râshâʻ (wicked): This term identifies the moral character of those who perform the action of persecuting. In Psalms 10:2, it is the wicked H7563 who, in their pride, persecute H1814 the poor.
  • H2787 chârar (to glow, burn, dry up): This word is used alongside H1814 in the context of literal fire. In Ezekiel's prophetic act, the command is to kindle H1814 the fire and let the bones be burned H2787, showing a direct relationship between starting a fire and its consuming effect.

Theological Significance

The conceptual weight of H1814 is significant, illustrating intensity in several domains:

  • The Heat of Persecution: The word connects the hostility of an enemy with the physical properties of a consuming flame. The act of chasing is not merely following but a "hot pursuit" Genesis 31:36 and a "burning" persecution that aims to consume its target.
  • The Fire of Divine Judgment: H1814 is used to depict God's judgment enacted through his people. The house of Jacob will kindle upon and devour Esau, an act initiated because "the LORD hath spoken it" Obadiah 1:18. The command to kindle a fire in Ezekiel 24:10 is also a symbol of impending divine reckoning.
  • The Flame of Sinful Passion: The term describes the internal, destructive heat of sin. Wine is said to inflame those who pursue it Isaiah 5:11, and deceptive speech is characterized by burning lips that come from a wicked heart Proverbs 26:23.

Summary

In summary, H1814 is a powerful and vivid word that encapsulates the concept of intense, consuming heat. It is applied to both the literal act of kindling a fire and the figurative passion of hot pursuit, whether in hostile persecution, divine judgment, or sinful indulgence. Through its usage, scripture illustrates how a single concept of "flaming" can define the nature of conflict, justice, and human desire.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Participle Plural Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Perfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine 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.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
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.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
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 9 verses across 8 books. Most frequent in Psalms (2 verses).

1
Genesis
1
1 Samuel
2
Psalms
1
Proverbs
1
Isaiah
1
Lamentations
1
Ezekiel
1
Obadiah

Verse Explorer

Select a verse to begin.