a primitive root; to flame (literally or figuratively); burning, chase, inflame, kindle, persecute(-or), pursue hotly.
Transliteration:dâlaq
Pronunciation:daw-lak'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H1814}}` (dâlaq) is a primitive root carrying a dual, yet interconnected, semantic range. Its primary and most literal meaning is "to flame," "to burn," or "to kindle." This denotes an intense heat, light, or destructive force, often associated with fire. From this literal sense, it extends figuratively to "inflame," describing the kindling of strong emotions such as anger, passion, or desire.
The second significant semantic branch, directly derived from the intensity implied by "burning," is "to pursue hotly," "to chase," or "to persecute." This usage conveys a fervent, relentless, and often hostile pursuit, as if the pursuer is "burning" with zeal or anger in their chase. The underlying concept unifying both ranges is one of intense, fervent, or ardent action, whether it is the physical manifestation of fire or the zealous application of will in pursuit.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb `{{H1814}}` appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, illustrating its diverse applications:
1. **Literal/Figurative Burning or Inflaming:**
* In [[Lamentations 4:11]], the word describes the intensity of God's wrath: "The Lord has accomplished His wrath; He has poured out His fierce anger; He has kindled a fire in Zion, and it has consumed its foundations." Here, `{{H1814}}` vividly portrays divine judgment as a consuming fire.
* [[Isaiah 5:11]] uses `{{H1814}}` to depict those who "rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink; who tarry late in the evening till wine inflames them!" The word here signifies the burning passion or effect of alcohol, which consumes and controls.
2. **Hot Pursuit or Persecution:**
* [[Genesis 31:36]] illustrates a literal, intense chase: "Then Jacob became angry and contended with Laban; and Jacob said to Laban, 'What is my transgression? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?'" This describes Laban's fervent and accusatory pursuit of Jacob.
* In military contexts, `{{H1814}}` signifies a vigorous chase of a fleeing enemy. [[1 Samuel 17:53]] records: "And the sons of Israel returned from hotly pursuing the Philistines, and they plundered their camps." The pursuit is not merely following, but an aggressive, relentless chase.
* The term also describes the oppressive actions of the wicked against the vulnerable. [[Psalm 10:2]] laments: "In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised." Here, `{{H1814}}` underscores the malicious and persistent nature of the oppressor's actions.
* [[Psalm 7:13]] (verse 12 in some translations) uses a participle form to describe God's arrows as "burning" or "flaming," ready for judgment against the wicked, connecting the idea of intense heat with divine retribution.
Across these occurrences, the common thread is an action performed with great intensity, whether it is the consuming nature of fire or the fervent drive behind a chase or persecution.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H1814}}` intersects with several other Hebrew terms:
* **Fire and Burning:**
* `{{H784}}` (אֵשׁ, 'esh): The common noun for "fire," often the agent of the action described by `{{H1814}}`.
* `{{H3344}}` (יָקַד, yaqad): "To kindle," "to burn," "to be kindled." While `{{H3344}}` describes the act of igniting, `{{H1814}}` often emphasizes the *intensity* or *result* of the burning.
* `{{H2787}}` (חָרָה, charah): "To be hot," "to burn," often used of anger. This word shares the emotional "burning" aspect with `{{H1814}}`, particularly in the context of divine or human wrath.
* **Pursuit and Persecution:**
* `{{H7291}}` (רָדַף, radaph): "To pursue," "to chase," "to persecute." This is the most direct parallel to the "hotly pursue" sense of `{{H1814}}`. While `{{H7291}}` can denote any pursuit, `{{H1814}}` often adds the nuance of fervent, intense, or even relentless pursuit, imbued with a "burning" zeal or hostility. `{{H1814}}` emphasizes the *ardor* of the chase, whereas `{{H7291}}` focuses on the act of following.
* `{{H6525}}` (פָּרַס, paras): "To break forth," "to spread out," sometimes implying a rapid advance or pursuit.
The unique contribution of `{{H1814}}` lies in its ability to bridge the concepts of literal combustion and fervent, often hostile, human or divine action, always conveying a sense of intensity and ardor.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1814}}` is profound, contributing to our understanding of both divine and human nature, as well as the dynamics of salvation and judgment.
1. **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** When applied to God, `{{H1814}}` underscores the consuming and inescapable nature of His righteous judgment. God's wrath is not a fleeting emotion but a fervent, burning intensity that accomplishes its purpose, as seen in [[Lamentations 4:11]]. This imagery reinforces His holiness and justice, emphasizing that sin will not go unpunished.
2. **Human Sin and Passion:** The use of `{{H1814}}` to describe being "inflamed" by wine ([[Isaiah 5:11]]) highlights the destructive power of unchecked human desires and passions. It illustrates how sin can consume and control individuals, leading them away from God's path. The "hot pursuit" of the poor by the wicked ([[Psalm 10:2]]) reveals the depth of human depravity and the active, aggressive nature of oppression. This speaks to the biblical concern for justice and the plight of the vulnerable.
3. **Conflict and Deliverance:** In contexts of warfare and pursuit, `{{H1814}}` depicts the intensity of conflict and the relentless nature of both enemies and deliverers. While enemies may "hotly pursue" God's people, God Himself, or His agents, can also "hotly pursue" the wicked or deliver His people from their pursuers. This contributes to the theological narrative of struggle, divine intervention, and ultimate victory. The fervent pursuit of the oppressor is a stark reminder of the need for divine rescue.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H1814}}` (dâlaq) is a dynamic term whose core meaning revolves around intense, fervent action. It encompasses both the literal and figurative sense of "flaming" or "burning," denoting heat, light, and destructive power, and the metaphorical sense of "hotly pursuing" or "persecuting." This dual semantic range is unified by the underlying concept of ardent intensity.
Biblical occurrences demonstrate its application to divine wrath as a consuming fire ([[Lamentations 4:11]]), the destructive power of human passions ([[Isaiah 5:11]]), and the relentless nature of pursuit, whether by human adversaries ([[Genesis 31:36]], [[Psalm 10:2]]) or in military contexts ([[1 Samuel 17:53]]). Related terms like `{{H784}}` (fire) and `{{H7291}}` (to pursue) highlight its unique emphasis on the *fervor* of the action. Theologically, `{{H1814}}` illuminates the intensity of divine judgment, the consuming nature of human sin, and the vigorous dynamics of conflict and deliverance within the biblical narrative.
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