from an unused root (meaning to move rapidly); freedom; hence, spontaneity of outflow, and so clear; liberty, pure.
Transliteration:dᵉrôwr
Pronunciation:der-ore'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term דְּרוֹר (dᵉrôwr, `{{H1865}}`) derives from an unused root signifying rapid movement or unhindered flow. This foundational sense underpins its primary meaning of "freedom" or "liberty." The concept suggests an unimpeded state, whether physical, social, or economic. While the base definition also extends to "spontaneity of outflow" and thus "clear" or "pure" (perhaps in reference to liquids or sounds), its biblical usage overwhelmingly emphasizes the aspect of liberation. It denotes a state of being released from constraint, bondage, or obligation, implying a return to an original or rightful condition of autonomy.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of דְּרוֹר (dᵉrôwr, `{{H1865}}`) are pivotal in understanding its theological weight:
* **[[Leviticus 25:10]]**: This is the quintessential usage, found within the statutes concerning the Year of Jubilee. The command, "And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants," establishes דְּרוֹר as a divinely mandated, comprehensive release. It encompasses the return of ancestral land to its original families, the release of indentured servants, and the cancellation of debts. Here, דְּרוֹר is not merely a suggestion but a sacred proclamation, central to the socio-economic and theological fabric of Israel.
* **[[Jeremiah 34:8]], [[Jeremiah 34:15]], [[Jeremiah 34:17]]**: In these verses, דְּרוֹר refers to King Zedekiah's covenant with the people to "proclaim liberty" to their Hebrew slaves, allowing them to go free. This act, initially performed but then treacherously revoked, highlights the moral imperative and the divine expectation associated with granting such freedom. The breaking of this covenant is met with severe divine judgment, underscoring the sanctity of a proclaimed דְּרוֹר. The repetition of the phrase "proclaim liberty" (קָרָא דְּרוֹר *qara' dᵉrôwr*) echoes the language of the Jubilee in Leviticus, emphasizing its foundational significance.
* **[[Ezekiel 46:17]]**: This passage, dealing with the prince's regulations in the visionary temple, states that if the prince gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be theirs until the "year of liberty" (שְׁנַת הַדְּרוֹר *shᵉnath haddᵉrôwr*), after which it returns to the prince. This likely refers to the Jubilee year, reinforcing דְּרוֹר as a fixed, divinely ordained period for the reversal of property transfers and the restoration of original rights.
Across these contexts, דְּרוֹר consistently signifies a formal, public, and often divinely sanctioned act of release, restoration, and freedom from various forms of bondage or obligation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of דְּרוֹר (dᵉrôwr, `{{H1865}}`) is deeply interwoven with several other significant biblical terms and themes:
* **Year of Jubilee (יוֹבֵל *yobel*, `{{H3104}}`)**: דְּרוֹר is almost synonymous with the Jubilee, as it is the central act proclaimed during this fiftieth year. The Jubilee itself is a profound institution of restoration and social equity.
* **Freedom and Release**: Other Hebrew words conveying aspects of freedom include:
* חָפְשָׁה (*chophshah*, `{{H2668}}`), referring to freedom, especially from slavery.
* נָצַל (*natsal*, `{{H5327}}`), meaning to deliver or rescue.
* פְּדוּת (*peduth*, `{{H6299}}`), denoting redemption or deliverance, often through payment.
* פָּקַח (*paqach*, `{{H6587}}`), meaning to open, particularly in the context of releasing captives, as seen in the phrase "opening of the prison" (פְּקַח־קוֹחַ *peqach-qoach*) in [[Isaiah 61:1]], a passage conceptually linked to the proclamation of liberty.
* **Justice (מִשְׁפָּט *mishpat*, `{{H4941}}`) and Righteousness (צְדָקָה *tsedakah*, `{{H6666}}`)**: The institution of דְּרוֹר in the Jubilee is a powerful expression of divine justice, ensuring that economic disparities do not become permanent and that all members of the community retain access to their God-given inheritance.
* **Restoration**: The underlying principle of דְּרוֹר is a return to an original, divinely intended state, whether for land, property, or individuals.
### Theological Significance
The theological import of דְּרוֹר (dᵉrôwr, `{{H1865}}`) is multifaceted and profound:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Grace**: The proclamation of דְּרוֹר is not a human invention but a divine command, revealing God as the ultimate Liberator. It underscores His prerogative to establish justice and restore order in His creation. The Jubilee, centered on דְּרוֹר, is an act of divine grace, preventing the perpetual enslavement or impoverishment of His people.
* **Social Justice and Equity**: דְּרוֹר embodies the Old Testament's deep concern for the marginalized, the poor, and the oppressed. By mandating a periodic reset of socio-economic conditions, it prevents the accumulation of wealth and power in the hands of a few and ensures that the vulnerable are not permanently dispossessed. It reflects God's desire for a society characterized by fairness and compassion.
* **Redemption and Hope**: The concept of דְּרוֹר offers a powerful message of redemption. Just as Israel was liberated from Egyptian bondage, so too are individuals and families to be released from the burdens of debt and servitude. It provides a cycle of hope, ensuring that no one is irrevocably lost to economic or personal hardship.
* **Messianic Foreshadowing**: The proclamation of liberty in the Jubilee, particularly its echo in prophetic texts like [[Isaiah 61:1]] (even if a different Hebrew word is used there, the concept is identical), points forward to the ultimate spiritual liberation brought by the Messiah. Jesus's inaugural sermon in [[Luke 4:18-19]], where He quotes [[Isaiah 61:1]] to declare His mission "to proclaim liberty to the captives," reveals the ultimate fulfillment of דְּרוֹר. This messianic liberty transcends physical and economic release, offering freedom from sin, spiritual bondage, and the dominion of death. The spiritual דְּרוֹר offered by Christ is complete and eternal.
### Summary
דְּרוֹר (dᵉrôwr, `{{H1865}}`) is a potent Hebrew term signifying "freedom" or "liberty," rooted in the idea of unhindered movement. Its primary biblical manifestation is in the context of the Year of Jubilee ([[Leviticus 25:10]]), where it denotes a comprehensive release of land, debts, and persons from servitude. This concept extends to the release of slaves in [[Jeremiah 34]] and features in the regulations of the temple in [[Ezekiel 46]]. Theologically, דְּרוֹר underscores God's character as the supreme Liberator, His unwavering commitment to social justice and equity, and His redemptive purpose to restore all things to their rightful order. It serves as a profound Old Testament precursor to the ultimate spiritual liberty proclaimed and enacted by the Messiah, offering freedom from sin and spiritual bondage to all who believe.
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