דָּחַק
𐤃𐤇𐤒
dâchaq
H1766 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To press forcefully, to urge or apply pressure; in extended senses, to oppress, harass, or distress. The term primarily denotes the exertion of pressure—physical or figurative—resulting in hardship or duress for an individual or group.
Semantic Range
to press, to urge forcibly, to apply pressure (physical or metaphorical), to oppress, to harass, to distress, to afflict, to be in straits or hardship
Root / Etymology
From the root דחק, which carries the sense 'to press, apply force, urge.' The root's basic semantic sense is of exerting pressure, which readily extends to non-literal uses such as oppression or urgent need.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term דָּחַק appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, notably in contexts of hardship or oppression, particularly where individuals or the nation are under external or internal duress (e.g., Judges 2:18, Jeremiah 30:20). Its use in the verbal stem often indicates someone or something being harassed or afflicted by adversaries or difficult circumstances, either physically or through social means. The word does not carry the legal or institutional connotation seen in terms like עָשַׁק ('to oppress, exploit'), but instead emphasizes the experiential aspect of pressure or distress. In later Rabbinic Hebrew, related nouns (e.g., דַּחַק, 'distress, straits') more frequently denote hardship or urgent need. Standard English translations using terms like 'oppress,' 'press,' or 'vex' only partly capture the range, as the underlying image is of constricted space or urgent pressure rather than systematic exploitation. The nuance of urgence or necessity is present but less pronounced than in some post-biblical usage. There is little vocabulary overlap with later terminologies concerning ethnic or legal oppression; the biblical usage is focused on the act and experience rather than systemic structures.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to press, i.e. oppress; thrust, vex.
Bantu Hebrew
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דחק (d-ḥ-q) — to press, to urge, to apply pressure
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1766-01 |
וְ/דֹחֲקֵי/הֶֽם | vedochaqeyhem | HC/Vqrmpc/Sp3mp |
and-their-vexers | and their pressers | 1 |
H1766-02 |
יִדְחָק֔וּ/ן | yidechaqun | HVqi3mp/Sn |
they-thrust | they press | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1766-01 |
Judges 2:18 | וְ/דֹחֲקֵי/הֶֽם | vedochaqeyhem | HC/Vqrmpc/Sp3mp |
and-their-vexers | and their pressers |
H1766-02 |
Joel 2:8 | יִדְחָק֔וּ/ן | yidechaqun | HVqi3mp/Sn |
they-thrust | they press |