English · KJV
H1752

דּוּר

dûwr /dure/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningproperly, to gyrate (or move in a circle), i.e. to remain
KJV usagedwell.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of dûwr — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word dûwr, represented by H1752, is a primitive root. Its definition is properly, to gyrate (or move in a circle), i.e. to remain; dwell. This term is extremely rare, appearing only 1 times across 1 unique verses in the entirety of the Bible, making its single appearance highly significant.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole use of H1752 is found in Psalms 84:10. In this verse, the psalmist expresses a profound choice of allegiance, declaring it is better to "be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." The word here conveys the idea of residing or remaining in a state of wickedness, which is presented as the undesirable alternative to being in God's presence. The context establishes a clear contrast between a humble position within God's courts and a more settled existence apart from Him.

Related Words & Concepts

Several words from its context in Psalms 84:10 illuminate its meaning:

  • H168 ʼôhel (tent): This word for a tent or dwelling is used to describe the location of wickedness where the psalmist refuses to dwell. It is defined as "a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent."
  • H1004 bayith (house): This is the preferred location, the "house of my God," where the psalmist would rather be a doorkeeper. Its definition is "a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)."
  • H7562 reshaʻ (wickedness): This term defines the character of the tents the psalmist rejects. It means "a wrong (especially moral); iniquity, wicked(-ness)," highlighting that the choice is a moral and spiritual one.
  • H977 bâchar (choose): The psalmist declares "I had rather," which comes from this root. It means to "properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select," underscoring the deliberate decision being made.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1752 is concentrated in its single, powerful use.

  • A Statement of Ultimate Value: The word is central to a declaration about what is truly better H2896. The psalmist asserts that even one day H3117 in God's courts surpasses a thousand H505 elsewhere. To dwell H1752 in wickedness is rejected in favor of the lowest place in God's house H1004.
  • The Choice of Allegiance: The use of dûwr frames a critical decision. It is not merely about a physical place, but about where one chooses to remain and establish their life—either in proximity to God H430 or in the domain of wickedness H7562.
  • Dwelling vs. Serving: The contrast is between dwelling or residing in a place of iniquity and serving in a place of holiness. The preference to "be a doorkeeper" H5605 over dwelling in wickedness emphasizes that service to God is superior to comfort among the wicked.

Summary

In summary, while H1752 is one of the rarest words in the biblical text, its singular appearance in Psalms 84:10 is unforgettable. It encapsulates a profound theological choice: the decision to reject a life that remains in wickedness, even if it offers comfort, for a life of humble service in the presence of God. The word dûwr marks the turning point in a statement that champions fellowship with God as the highest possible good.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • דּוּר
  • דּוּר

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H168 אֹהֶל from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. H1004 בַּיִת probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, d H7562 רֶשַׁע from רָשַׁע; a wrong (especially moral); iniquity, wicked(-ness). H977 בָּחַר a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, H2896 טוֹב from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, H3117 יוֹם from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one s

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Psalms — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.