דָּבַק
𐤃𐤁𐤒
dâbaq
H1692 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cling to or stick closely, to adhere physically or figuratively. In its primary sense, denotes the act of attaching oneself to something or someone (literally: to stick, to glue), and by extension, signifies close association, loyalty, or steadfast devotion to persons, groups, or principles. Used both of physical contact (soil adhering to skin, bones sticking together) and of deep personal or covenantal attachments (individuals closely joined, pursuing, or clinging to another, especially in the context of relationships, loyalty, faithfulness, or pursuit).
Semantic Range
to stick physically, cling to, join closely, adhere to, follow closely, pursue persistently, to be loyal or devoted (relational or covenantal sense), overtake in pursuit, keep fast, maintain close association
Root / Etymology
From the root דבק, meaning 'to stick, to adhere'. The verb דָּבַק is the basic or ground stem (qal) of this root and maintains the original physical sense of sticking or joining together.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In early biblical contexts (patriarchal and monarchic eras), דָּבַק is most often used to describe the act of physically adhering or metaphorically attaching oneself to another person or group. Noteworthy uses include expressions of loyalty and commitment (e.g., Ruth 'clung' to Naomi, Ruth 1:14), close military pursuit (Joshua 23:12), and a covenantal sense (Deuteronomy 10:20, exhorting Israel to 'cling' to their deity in faithfulness). The word can express both desired, positive association (devotion, faithfulness, loyal alliance) and negative connotations (adhering to foreign practices or peoples deemed inappropriate in specific texts). Ancient translations sometimes render דָּבַק as 'cleave' or 'stick,' but such language in English may not convey the relational, covenantal, or emotional intensity present in Hebrew usage. The meaning remains consistent across biblical Hebrew, with occasional semantic narrowing in postexilic and later texts where it's almost exclusively relational or spiritual in sense. Contrast with קרב ('draw near') and חבק ('embrace'), which cover more physical or spatial proximity without necessarily implying enduring attachment or loyalty.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit; abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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דבק (d-b-q) — stick, cling, adhere
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1693 | דְּבַק | clinging ones |
| H1694 | דֶּבֶק | the bonding joints |
| H1695 | דָּבֵק | he clung |
Word Forms
29 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1692-05 |
דָּבְקָ֖ה | daveqah | HVqp3fs |
clings | she clung | 7 |
H1692-28 |
יִדְבַּ֧ק | yidebaq | HVqi3ms |
will cling | he will cling | 4 |
H1692-11 |
תִדְבָּ֔ק | tidebaq | HVqi2ms |
cleaves | you will cling | 4 |
H1692-17 |
וּ/לְ/דָבְקָה | uledaveqah | HC/R/Vqc |
and to cleave | and to cling closely | 3 |
H1692-02 |
דָּבַ֥ק | davaq | HVqp3ms |
sticks | he clung | 3 |
H1692-20 |
וַֽ/יַּדְבְּק֥וּ | vayadebequ | HC/Vhw3mp |
and they clung | and they caused to cling | 3 |
H1692-18 |
וַ/תִּדְבַּ֣ק | vatidebaq | HC/Vqw3fs |
and-clung | and she clung | 3 |
H1692-29 |
יִדְבְּק֖וּ | yidebequ | HVqi3mp |
shall-cleave | they will cling | 2 |
H1692-21 |
וַ/יַּדְבִּ֖יקוּ | vayadebiqu | HC/Vhw3mp |
and overtook | and they made adhere | 2 |
H1692-27 |
יְדֻבָּֽקוּ | yedubaqu | HVPi3mp |
cleave together | they will be closely joined | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
54 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1692-23 |
Genesis 2:24 | וְ/דָבַ֣ק | vedavaq | HC/Vqq3ms |
and shall cleave | and he clung |
H1692-12 |
Genesis 19:19 | תִּדְבָּקַ֥/נִי | tidebaqani | HVqi3fs/Sp1cs |
overtake me | she will cling to me |
H1692-19 |
Genesis 31:23 | וַ/יַּדְבֵּ֥ק | vayadebeq | HC/Vhw3ms |
and overtook | and he caused to cling |
H1692-18 |
Genesis 34:3 | וַ/תִּדְבַּ֣ק | vatidebaq | HC/Vqw3fs |
clave | and she clung |
H1692-29 |
Numbers 36:7 | יִדְבְּק֖וּ | yidebequ | HVqi3mp |
shall cling | they will cling |
H1692-29 |
Numbers 36:9 | יִדְבְּק֕וּ | yidebequ | HVqi3mp |
shall-cleave | they will cling |
H1692-11 |
Deuteronomy 10:20 | תִדְבָּ֔ק | tidebaq | HVqi2ms |
you shall cling | you will cling |
H1692-17 |
Deuteronomy 11:22 | וּ/לְ/דָבְקָה | uledaveqah | HC/R/Vqc |
and-to-cleave | and to cling closely |
H1692-15 |
Deuteronomy 13:5 | תִדְבָּקֽוּ/ן | tidebaqun | HVqi2mp/Sn |
you shall cleave | you will cling closely |
H1692-28 |
Deuteronomy 13:18 | יִדְבַּ֧ק | yidebaq | HVqi3ms |
shall cling | he will cling |