from דָּלָה; something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor; door (two-leaved), gate, leaf, lid. (Psalm 141:3).
Transliteration:deleth
Pronunciation:deh'-leth
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word דֶּלֶת (deleth, `{{H1817}}`) derives from the root דָּלָה (dalah), which fundamentally conveys the idea of "drawing up" or "swinging." This etymological connection provides the core semantic range for דֶּלֶת: something that swings or moves on a pivot. Its primary meaning is "door" or "door-leaf," specifically referring to the movable panel or valve of an entrance. This often implies a two-leaved door, as suggested by the base definition, which could be massive and substantial. Beyond a simple door, its semantic range extends to "gate" (referring to the leaves of a gate), "leaf" (as in the leaf of a door or gate), and even "lid" (for a covering that swings or lifts, though this is less common). Thus, דֶּלֶת signifies a movable barrier that controls access, providing either an opening or an enclosure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term דֶּלֶת (deleth, `{{H1817}}`) appears frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, serving in both literal and figurative capacities.
Literally, it designates the physical entrance to dwellings, cities, or sacred spaces:
* **Private Dwellings:** In [[Genesis 19:6]], Lot goes out to the door (דֶּלֶת) of his house to confront the men of Sodom, highlighting its function as the primary point of entry and defense for a home. Similarly, [[Judges 3:23]] describes King Eglon's locked doors (דֶּלֶת) after Ehud's assassination.
* **City Gates:** While the broader term for a city gate is שַׁעַר (sha'ar, `{{H8179}}`), דֶּלֶת often refers to the specific leaves or panels of these gates. In [[Nehemiah 3:1-32]], the rebuilding effort frequently mentions the doors (דֶּלֶת) of the various city gates, emphasizing their structural components and their role in securing the city.
* **Sacred Structures:** The doors of the Tabernacle and later the Temple are often called דֶּלֶת. For instance, [[1 Kings 6:31-35]] meticulously describes the two-leaved doors (דֶּלֶת) of the Temple's inner sanctuary (the Debir) and the main hall (Hekal), made of olive wood and cypress, signifying sacred boundaries and access to divine presence. [[Ezekiel 41:23-24]] similarly details the double doors of the visionary Temple.
Figuratively, דֶּלֶת takes on profound symbolic meaning:
* **Control of Speech:** Perhaps one of the most striking figurative uses is in [[Psalm 141:3]], where the psalmist prays, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door (דֶּלֶת) of my lips!" Here, דֶּלֶת metaphorically represents the barrier controlling speech, emphasizing the need for divine restraint and wisdom in utterance.
* **Sloth and Diligence:** [[Proverbs 26:14]] uses the image of a door (דֶּלֶת) turning on its hinges to describe the sluggard turning on his bed, illustrating an unproductive, repetitive motion without progress.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Access:** The powerful imagery in [[Psalm 24:7, 9]], "Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors (דֶּלֶת)! That the King of glory may come in," elevates דֶּלֶת to a symbol of eternal access and the majestic entry of God. These are not mere physical doors but cosmic barriers that must yield to the Lord of Hosts.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word דֶּלֶת (deleth, `{{H1817}}`) interacts with several other Hebrew terms related to entrances, barriers, and openings, each carrying distinct nuances:
* **שַׁעַר (sha'ar, `{{H8179}}`):** This term primarily refers to a "gate," especially a city gate. While דֶּלֶת is the movable "leaf" or "door" of an entrance, שַׁעַר refers to the entire gateway structure. Often, a שַׁעַר would contain multiple דֶּלֶת panels.
* **פֶּתַח (pethach, `{{H6607}}`):** Meaning "opening" or "entrance," פֶּתַח denotes the general aperture or doorway itself, irrespective of whether it has a door. דֶּלֶת is the object that fills or covers a פֶּתַח.
* **מִסְגֶּרֶת (misgereth, `{{H4945}}`):** This word describes an "enclosure," "frame," or "border," often used for doorframes or the surrounding structure that holds the דֶּלֶת.
* **סַף (saph, `{{H5592}}`):** Refers to a "threshold" or "door sill," the bottom part of a doorway. This highlights the boundary aspect of an entrance, which דֶּלֶת helps to define and secure.
The conceptual relationship among these words underscores the multifaceted nature of entrances in ancient Israelite life: they were not just points of passage but also symbols of security, status, and control. דֶּלֶת, as the primary movable component, was key to enabling or restricting access.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of דֶּלֶת (deleth, `{{H1817}}`) extends beyond its literal function as a physical barrier.
* **Protection and Security:** On a fundamental level, דֶּלֶת signifies protection. From the door of Noah's ark ([[Genesis 7:16]]) to the doors of Lot's house ([[Genesis 19:6]]), the door serves as a divinely appointed or humanly constructed means of safety from external threats, whether flood, violence, or judgment. This reflects God's provision for His people's security.
* **Boundary and Access:** Doors mark boundaries, separating inside from outside, sacred from common, and private from public. The doors of the Tabernacle and Temple ([[1 Kings 6:31-35]]; [[Ezekiel 41:23-24]]) are particularly significant, defining the sacred space where God's presence dwells and controlling access to it. They symbolize the holiness of God and the reverence required to approach Him. Opening a door signifies access, while closing it implies exclusion or protection.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Entry:** The majestic language of [[Psalm 24:7, 9]], calling for "everlasting doors" (דֶּלֶת) to lift up for the King of Glory, powerfully portrays God's ultimate authority. These are not merely physical doors but cosmic, eternal portals that must yield to the Lord of Hosts. This passage anticipates the triumphant entry of the Messiah and underscores the universal dominion of Yahweh.
* **Moral and Spiritual Guarding:** The plea in [[Psalm 141:3]], "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door (דֶּלֶת) of my lips," elevates the door to a metaphor for self-control and spiritual discipline. It highlights the profound importance of guarding one's speech, recognizing that words have power and can either honor or dishonor God. This reflects a deep spiritual awareness of the need for divine assistance in managing one's inner life.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דֶּלֶת (deleth, `{{H1817}}`) refers primarily to a "door" or "door-leaf," stemming from a root that implies "swinging" or "movement." Its semantic range extends to the leaves of a "gate" or a "lid," consistently denoting a movable barrier that controls access. In biblical contexts, דֶּלֶת appears literally as the physical entrance to homes, cities, and sacred structures like the Tabernacle and Temple, serving to provide security, define boundaries, and regulate passage. Figuratively, it carries profound theological weight, symbolizing the need for divine protection, the sacredness of God's presence, the ultimate sovereignty of the King of Glory who enters through "everlasting doors," and the crucial spiritual discipline of guarding one's speech, likened to the "door of the lips." Thus, דֶּלֶת is far more than a mere architectural component; it is a rich biblical symbol of access, exclusion, divine majesty, and personal responsibility.
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