a primitive root; to be soft or pleasant; figuratively and reflexively, to live voluptuously; delight self.
Transliteration:ʻâdan
Pronunciation:aw-dan'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew primitive root H5727 (ʻâdan) fundamentally conveys the idea of being "soft" or "pleasant." This basic physical or sensory meaning extends metaphorically and reflexively to describe a state of living "voluptuously" or "delighting oneself." The semantic range thus encompasses both a gentle, agreeable quality and, more significantly in its biblical usage, a sense of luxurious ease, self-gratification, and often excessive indulgence. It implies a pursuit of comfort and pleasure for one's own sake, sometimes to the exclusion of other considerations or duties.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root H5727 appears in the Hebrew Bible primarily in contexts that highlight the negative consequences of self-indulgence.
In [[Isaiah 47:8]], the prophet addresses Babylon, personified as a woman, stating, "Now therefore hear this, you who are given to pleasures, who dwell securely, who say in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow nor know the loss of children.'" Here, H5727 is used to describe Babylon's characteristic lifestyle of excessive pleasure and self-indulgence. This "delighting oneself" is directly linked to a false sense of security, arrogance, and a denial of vulnerability, which ultimately precipitates divine judgment. The word underscores Babylon's spiritual blindness stemming from its luxurious existence.
Another significant occurrence is found in [[Jeremiah 51:34]], where the noun form derived from this root is used: "Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon has devoured me and crushed me; he has made me an empty vessel; he has swallowed me like a monster; he has filled his stomach with my delicacies; he has driven me out." While the translation "delicacies" or "pleasures" refers to what Nebuchadnezzar found delightful in devouring Judah, the underlying root H5727 still points to a form of self-gratification and enjoyment derived from conquest and consumption. It vividly portrays the oppressor's "delight" in the destruction of others, reinforcing the negative connotation associated with the root's application to human behavior.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word to H5727 is `{{H5731}}` (ʻêden), which is the Hebrew word for "Eden," as in the Garden of Eden. The name "Eden" itself means "delight" or "pleasure," directly linking to the core meaning of H5727. This connection is profound, as it points to an original state of perfect delight and pleasure in God's presence, from which humanity fell due to a misplaced desire for self-gratification (knowledge of good and evil).
Other related Hebrew words that convey concepts of pleasure, delight, or pleasantness include:
* `{{H8588}}` (ta'anug): "delight," "luxury," often used in contexts of human pleasure.
* `{{H5273}}` (na'im): "pleasant," "agreeable," "lovely."
* `{{H8173}}` (sha'ashu'im): "delight," "pleasure," often used in a positive sense of delight in God's law or wisdom.
While H5727 shares semantic space with these words, its specific nuance in biblical usage often gravitates towards excessive, self-serving pleasure that leads to spiritual decline or judgment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5727 lies primarily in its portrayal of the dangers of self-indulgent pleasure and worldly security. In the prophetic literature, particularly in Isaiah, it serves as a stark warning against national pride and hedonism that blinds a people to their impending judgment. The "delighting oneself" described by H5727 is not the pure delight found in God or His commandments, but rather a carnal, self-absorbed satisfaction that leads to spiritual complacency and arrogance.
This word implicitly contrasts with the biblical call to delight in the Lord ([[Psalm 37:4]]) or in His law ([[Psalm 1:2]]). While God provides legitimate pleasures and delights, the pursuit of ʻâdan often represents a turning away from divine sources of joy towards fleeting, earthly gratifications. It highlights a common human tendency to find security and happiness in material comfort and personal indulgence, rather than in humble reliance on God. The ultimate consequence of such a lifestyle, as seen in the prophecies against Babylon, is destruction and desolation, underscoring God's judgment on those who prioritize self-pleasure over righteousness and justice.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H5727 (ʻâdan) signifies being "soft" or "pleasant," but its primary biblical application refers to living "voluptuously" or "delighting oneself" in a self-indulgent manner. This word appears in prophetic warnings, notably against Babylon in [[Isaiah 47:8]] and [[Jeremiah 51:34]], where it describes a lifestyle of excessive pleasure and false security that leads to divine judgment. The word's strong connection to `{{H5731}}` (Eden, "delight") subtly reminds us of humanity's original state of delight and the subsequent corruption of pleasure through self-centered pursuits. Theologically, H5727 serves as a potent caution against the dangers of worldly hedonism and reliance on earthly comforts, contrasting sharply with the true and lasting delight found only in God.
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