דָּבַב
𐤃𐤁𐤁
dâbab
H1680 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To glide or move gently, especially of slow, fluid motion; by extension, to speak gently or incite to speak (rare). The primary sense is physical movement of a soft or smooth nature, with limited, rare extension to prompting speech in certain poetic or figurative contexts.
Semantic Range
to move slowly, to glide gently, to creep, to murmur, to incite to speak (rare, figurative)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root דבב, which has the core sense of moving or gliding softly or gently. The formation appears onomatopoeic, reflecting gentle motion or murmur, possibly mimicking the movement of a liquid or soft substance. Root core sense is motion, but only a few rare forms occur in the Hebrew Bible.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This verb is rare in the biblical corpus and appears only in poetic or highly figurative language (cf. Psalm 55:22, Job 7:5). The core sense concerns gentle movement, which in context can be extended to murmuring or inciting speech. Some forms are cognate with related Semitic languages (cf. Ugaritic dbb, Arabic dabba), all conveying soft, creeping, or slow movement. Later translations sometimes render the word as 'to speak,' especially in contexts with unclear syntax, but most uses anchor upon gentle or gliding movement. The suggested link to speech may reflect an image of soft or murmuring sound, rather than normal speaking. There is no evidence for the term being a main verb for 'to speak' in Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root (compare דֹּבֶא); to move slowly, i.e. glide; cause to speak.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דבב (d-b-b) — soft movement, gliding, creeping, gentle murmuring
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1680-01 |
דּוֹבֵ֖ב | dovev | HVqrmsa |
causing the lips of sleepers to drip | gently gliding one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1680-01 |
Song of Songs 7:10 | דּוֹבֵ֖ב | dovev | HVqrmsa |
causing the lips of sleepers to drip | gently gliding one |