דֹּב
𐤃𐤁
dôb
H1677 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A large carnivorous mammal, the bear, known for its strength and ferocity. In the Hebrew Bible, the term is used both for the literal animal and figuratively to describe strength, danger, or ferocity, especially in similes and metaphors. Its primary lexical meaning is the animal species, but in context it can bear connotations of formidable threat or power.
Semantic Range
bear (animal), symbol of strength or threat, metaphor for ferocity or danger
Root / Etymology
From the root דָּבַב (dabav), with uncertain or disputed meaning—possibly related to 'movement' or 'to murmur,' but the etymological connection to the animal is unclear and may be onomatopoeic. The noun דֹּב/דּוֹב is the standard Hebrew word for 'bear.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
דֹּב (dôb) appears as the name for the animal in various texts, including narratives and poetry (e.g., 1 Samuel 17:34, Amos 5:19, 2 Kings 2:24). In Israelite thought, the bear was representative of wild, potentially dangerous fauna in the land, often depicted as a threat to humans or livestock, and sometimes contrasted with the lion. In poetic or prophetic passages, the bear may symbolize danger, aggression, or hostile forces (e.g., Hosea 13:8). Later Jewish translations into Greek often rendered דֹּב as ἄρκτος (arktos). The English term 'bear' is a direct translation. There is no significant shift in the basic meaning across biblical periods, and no notable theological or ritual significance attached to the term. The use of 'bear' in English Bibles accurately reflects the Hebrew referent.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (fully) דּוֹב; from דָּבַב; the bear (as slow); bear.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דבב (d-b-b) — to move gently, to murmur (disputed)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1679 | דֹּבֶא | your quietness |
| H1680 | דָּבַב | gently gliding one |
| H1681 | דִּבָּה | malicious report |
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1677-03 |
הַ/דּ֔וֹב | hadov | HTd/Ncmsa |
the bear | the bear | 4 |
H1677-04 |
כְּ/דֹ֥ב | kedov | HR/Ncmsa |
like a bear | like a bear | 2 |
H1677-01 |
דֹּ֣ב | dov | HNcmsa |
bear | bear | 2 |
H1677-02 |
דֻּבִּים֙ | dubim | HNcmpa |
she-bears | bears | 1 |
H1677-06 |
וָ/דֹב֙ | vadov | HC/Ncmsa |
and the bear | and a bear | 1 |
H1677-07 |
וְ/דֹ֣ב | vedov | HC/Ncmsa |
and-bear | bear | 1 |
H1677-05 |
כַ/דֻּבִּים֙ | khadubim | HRd/Ncmpa |
like bears | bears | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
12 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1677-03 |
1 Samuel 17:34 | הַ/דּ֔וֹב | hadov | HTd/Ncmsa |
the bear | the bear |
H1677-03 |
1 Samuel 17:36 | הַ/דּ֖וֹב | hadov | HTd/Ncmsa |
bear | the bear |
H1677-03 |
1 Samuel 17:37 | הַ/דֹּ֔ב | hadov | HTd/Ncmsa |
the bear | the bear |
H1677-04 |
2 Samuel 17:8 | כְּ/דֹ֥ב | kedov | HR/Ncmsa |
like-a-bear | like a bear |
H1677-02 |
2 Kings 2:24 | דֻּבִּים֙ | dubim | HNcmpa |
she-bears | bears |
H1677-06 |
Isaiah 11:7 | וָ/דֹב֙ | vadov | HC/Ncmsa |
and the bear | and a bear |
H1677-05 |
Isaiah 59:11 | כַ/דֻּבִּים֙ | khadubim | HRd/Ncmpa |
like bears | bears |
H1677-04 |
Hosea 13:8 | כְּ/דֹ֣ב | kedov | HR/Ncmsa |
like a bear | like a bear |
H1677-03 |
Amos 5:19 | הַ/דֹּ֑ב | hadov | HTd/Ncmsa |
the bear | the bear |
H1677-01 |
Proverbs 17:12 | דֹּ֣ב | dov | HNcmsa |
bear | bear |