← H1784 H1786 →

דָּיֵק

𐤃𐤉𐤒

dâyêq

H1785 noun

SILEX Entry

Root דוק to pierce, to bore, to push through

Definition

A siege ramp or mound constructed against a city wall during warfare; an embankment of earth, sometimes including timber or siege apparatus, used by attacking forces to facilitate breaching or scaling fortifications. In later usage, it can extend to encompass various types of siegeworks (earthworks or engineered structures) employed during an assault on a fortified city.

Semantic Range

siege ramp, earthwork, mound against city walls, battering-structure in warfare, fortification raised by besiegers

Root / Etymology

Root: דוק (probable), meaning 'to pierce, bore, push through.' דָּיֵק (dâyêq) is a noun form likely derived from this root, with the shift from idea of piercing to establishing a means of breaching or overcoming a barrier.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the context of the Hebrew Bible, דָּיֵק appears in later books, specifically in exilic and post-exilic narratives (e.g., Ezekiel 4:2; 17:17; 21:27 [MT 22]), describing siege operations conducted by foreign powers such as the Babylonians. The term does not occur in the earlier monarchic historical books, where the most common siege term is סֹלֶל ('sōlel,' meaning 'siege ramp' or 'earthwork'). While English translations often render דָּיֵק as 'fort,' 'battering-tower,' or even 'mound,' the most precise meaning in its original context is a siege ramp or earthwork—an engineered structure allowing attackers to gain access to city walls. In later Hebrew (e.g., Mishnaic), cognates relate specifically to siege machinery and ramparts. The use of דָּיֵק coincides with military technology encountered by Israelites during the exilic period, reflecting the influence of Neo-Babylonian and Assyrian siege tactics. In Greek translation (Septuagint), the word is sometimes rendered as χαλκῶν or προμαχών, but both are broad terms for siege works or bulwarks.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a root corresp. to דּוּק; a battering-tower; fort.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

דוק (d-w-q) — to pierce, to bore, to push through

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1785-01 דָּיֵ֥ק dayeq HNcmsa siege wall breach-ramp 6

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1785-01 2 Kings 25:1 דָּיֵ֥ק dayeq HNcmsa siege wall breach-ramp
H1785-01 Jeremiah 52:4 דָּיֵ֖ק dayeq HNcmsa siege-wall breach-ramp
H1785-01 Ezekiel 4:2 דָּיֵ֔ק dayeq HNcmsa ramp breach-ramp
H1785-01 Ezekiel 17:17 דָּיֵ֑ק dayeq HNcmsa siege wall breach-ramp
H1785-01 Ezekiel 21:27 דָּיֵֽק dayeq HNcmsa a siege tower breach-ramp
H1785-01 Ezekiel 26:8 דָּיֵ֗ק dayeq HNcmsa a siege wall breach-ramp
← H1784 Hebrew Lexicon H1786 →