from דָּקַק; something crumbling, i.e. fine (as a thin cloth); curtain.
Transliteration:dôq
Pronunciation:doke
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H1852 (דֹּק, *dôq*) is derived from the verbal root דָּקַק (dāqaq, `{{H1854}}`), which signifies "to crush," "to pulverize," "to make thin," or "to make fine." Consequently, dôq inherently carries the semantic range of something that is extremely fine, thin, delicate, or easily crumbled. Its primary definition points to a "thin cloth" or a "curtain," emphasizing a material quality characterized by its extreme fineness or flimsiness. This root connection is crucial, as it imbues the noun with the sense of a material that can be easily manipulated, spread out, or even made to appear insubstantial.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H1852 (דֹּק, *dôq*) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the book of Isaiah.
* [[Isaiah 40:22]]: "It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a dôq (curtain), and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in."
In this singular occurrence, the term is employed in a profound poetic metaphor to describe God's incomparable power and sovereignty over creation. The context of Isaiah 40 is one of divine comfort and assurance for Israel, emphasizing the Lord's absolute greatness in contrast to the weakness of humanity and the futility of idols. By likening the vast heavens to a "curtain" (dôq), the prophet underscores several key aspects:
1. **Effortless Power:** The imagery suggests that the immense expanse of the heavens is, to God, as easily manipulated and spread out as a thin piece of fabric. This highlights His omnipotence and the ease with which He controls the cosmos.
2. **Divine Architecture:** The heavens are not merely empty space but are described as a "curtain" and then immediately paralleled with a "tent" (אֹהֶל, *ʾōhel*, `{{H168}}`). This implies a purposeful, designed structure, a cosmic dwelling or covering fashioned by God Himself.
3. **Transcendence:** God is depicted as "sitting above the circle of the earth," looking down upon its inhabitants as "grasshoppers." The stretching of the heavens as a dôq further emphasizes His transcendence and His ability to manipulate the very fabric of the created order from His exalted position.
This vivid metaphor serves to magnify God's might and to provide comfort to a people who might feel insignificant or overwhelmed by their circumstances, reminding them of the incomparable power of their Creator and Redeemer.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to H1852 (דֹּק, *dôq*) is its verbal root:
* דָּקַק (dāqaq, `{{H1854}}`): To crush, pulverize, make thin, fine, or small. This root is found in various contexts describing the reduction of something to a fine powder (e.g., [[Exodus 30:36]], [[2 Kings 23:6]]) or the thinness of material. The noun dôq is a direct result of this action, referring to something made thin or fine.
Other related concepts and words, by virtue of their semantic domain or parallel usage in [[Isaiah 40:22]], include:
* יְרִיעָה (yĕrîʿāh, `{{H3407}}`): Curtain, tent curtain, often referring to the coverings of the Tabernacle, which were made of fine linen or goat hair. This word shares the "curtain" aspect with dôq, though dôq uniquely emphasizes the *fineness* derived from its root.
* אֹהֶל (ʾōhel, `{{H168}}`): Tent, dwelling. This term appears in poetic parallelism with dôq in [[Isaiah 40:22]], reinforcing the idea of the heavens as a vast, divinely pitched canopy.
* **Concepts of Divine Power and Creation:** The use of dôq contributes to the broader biblical themes of God's unmatched power in creating and sustaining the cosmos (e.g., [[Psalm 104:2]], [[Job 9:8]]), and His transcendence over all creation.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of H1852 (דֹּק, *dôq*) in [[Isaiah 40:22]] carries profound theological weight, particularly within the context of God's self-revelation to Israel.
1. **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Omnipotence:** The imagery of God stretching out the heavens like a thin curtain powerfully asserts His absolute control over the entire cosmos. The vastness of space, which appears so immense and unyielding to human perception, is depicted as pliable and easily manipulated in the hands of God. This underscores His limitless power and His position as the ultimate Creator and Sustainer.
2. **Divine Transcendence:** By portraying God as "sitting above the circle of the earth" and effortlessly arranging the heavens, the text emphasizes His transcendence. He is not merely a part of creation but is distinct from and superior to it, operating on a scale incomprehensible to humanity. The "curtain" can also subtly suggest a veil, hinting at God's hiddenness even as He reveals His power through creation.
3. **Comfort and Assurance for God's People:** In the broader context of Isaiah 40, which begins with "Comfort, comfort my people," this demonstration of God's cosmic power serves as a foundational assurance. If God can so easily stretch out the heavens, then surely He is capable of delivering His people from their trials, sustaining them, and fulfilling His promises. The problems and fears of humanity, though significant to them, are rendered small in comparison to the might of the God who commands the universe with such ease.
4. **Cosmic Design and Purpose:** The parallel with "a tent to dwell in" suggests that the heavens, though like a thin curtain, are not chaotic but are part of a divinely ordered and purposed design. This points to God's intentionality in creation, providing a structured environment for life.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H1852 (דֹּק, *dôq*) is a rare but potent term, appearing exclusively in [[Isaiah 40:22]]. Derived from the root דָּקַק (`{{H1854}}`), meaning "to be thin" or "to pulverize," dôq denotes something extremely fine, delicate, or a "thin cloth" or "curtain." In its sole biblical occurrence, it forms part of a magnificent metaphor illustrating God's unparalleled power and transcendence. By likening the heavens to a dôq that He effortlessly stretches out, Isaiah emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty over creation, His ability to command the cosmos with ease, and His position as the incomparable Creator. Theologically, this imagery serves to instill comfort and assurance in God's people, reminding them that the One who can so easily arrange the vast heavens is fully capable of delivering and sustaining them, thereby reinforcing the profound truth of divine omnipotence and faithfulness.
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