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דָּלַל

𐤃𐤋𐤋

dâlal

H1809 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To hang down, droop, be weak, or become low; to be in a state of physical, social, or economic diminution. The verb can indicate literal physical frailty, but often functions metaphorically for decline in status, influence, or resources. It can describe becoming impoverished, languishing, being brought low, or growing weak in strength, numbers, or quality.

Semantic Range

to be diminished, grow weak, droop or languish, be brought low, become impoverished, lose potency, be in decline, shrink in numbers or status

Root / Etymology

The root is דלל, meaning to hang down or become low. The term is derived from the idea of slackness or something sagging or being brought low from its original position. The core concept is a reduction—whether in physical strength, status, or resources. Cognate roots in other Semitic languages carry similar meanings of hanging down, being sparse, or becoming slight.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, דָּלַל appears in poetic and prophetic contexts, emphasizing diminishment or decline, both literal and figurative. For example, it is used for ‘growing weak’ (Psalm 109:24), ‘becoming diminished’ (Psalm 79:8), or ‘being brought low’ (Ezekiel 17:14). The core nuance is not always physical frailty but can extend to economic impoverishment or social vulnerability. It is distinct from חָלָשׁ ('to be weak/feeble') or עָנִי ('poor', often emphasizing oppression or needing help). English translations often render it as 'languish,' 'waste away,' 'be diminished,' or 'be brought low'; some renderings as 'be oppressed' reflect later interpretive traditions rather than the core sense of slackness or reduction. The verb is sometimes used reflexively or passively, showing the subject undergoing reduction or becoming minor. Usage is concentrated in poetic literature, including Psalms, Proverbs, and prophetic texts, where the metaphorical use of 'being brought low' carries theological implications of humility or judgment, but the term itself is not inherently theological. In comparison with related roots, דָּלַל tends to imply a process or state of reduction rather than a fixed state of poverty or weakness.

Translation Consistency

primary "decline" 1 occurrence

Decline naturally covers the primary intransitive senses in the SILEX range—grow weak, be brought low, be diminished or impoverished, droop or languish—while sounding ordinary and flexible for both literal and metaphorical uses. It allows consistent, natural renderings across all forms without forcing a causative nuance.

Alternatives (8 occurrences):
"grown low" (2x) "brought low" (1x) "grow weak" (1x) "became diminished" (1x) "became weak" (1x) "grown weak" (1x) "hang limp" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root (compare דָּלָה); to slacken or be feeble; figuratively, to be oppressed; bring low, dry up, be emptied, be not equal, fail, be impoverished, be made thin.

Bantu Hebrew

Language Bantu Word Transliteration Meaning
Igbo dàlà to fall down, be brought low
Isoko dàlà to fall down
Urhobo dàlà to fall down
Yoruba dálà to fall down, collapse (of people, structures)

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Root Family

דלל (Delilah) — to be low, to hang down, to be weak, feeble, languish

Root דלל to hang down, become low, be diminished, grow weak
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1807 דְּלִילָה Delilah

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H1809-04 דַּ֝לּוֹתִ֗י daloti HVqp1cs I am brought very low I have grown low I have grown low 2
H1809-05 דַּלּ֤וּ dalu HVqp3cp fail they became diminished they became weak 2
H1809-01 דָּלֲל֥וּ dalalu HVqp3cp will dwindle they became diminished they became diminished 1
H1809-02 דַּלְי֣וּ daleyu HVqp3cp hang limp they became diminished they hang limp 1
H1809-03 דַלּ֣וֹנוּ dalonu HVqp1cp we are brought low we have grown weak we have grown weak 1
H1809-06 וַ/יִּדַּ֧ל vayidal HC/Vqw3ms and was brought low and he became diminished and was brought low 1
H1809-07 יִדַּ֖ל yidal HVqi3ms will be brought low he will grow weak it will grow weak 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H1809-06 Judges 6:6 וַ/יִּדַּ֧ל vayidal HC/Vqw3ms and was brought low and he became diminished and was brought low
H1809-07 Isaiah 17:4 יִדַּ֖ל yidal HVqi3ms will be brought low he will grow weak it will grow weak
H1809-01 Isaiah 19:6 דָּלֲל֥וּ dalalu HVqp3cp will dwindle they became diminished they became diminished
H1809-05 Isaiah 38:14 דַּלּ֤וּ dalu HVqp3cp fail they became diminished they became weak
H1809-03 Psalms 79:8 דַלּ֣וֹנוּ dalonu HVqp1cp we are brought low we have grown weak we have grown weak
H1809-04 Psalms 116:6 דַּ֝לּוֹתִ֗י daloti HVqp1cs I was brought low I have grown low I have grown low
H1809-04 Psalms 142:7 דַלּ֪וֹתִ֫י daloti HVqp1cs I am brought very low I have grown low I have grown low
H1809-02 Proverbs 26:7 דַּלְי֣וּ daleyu HVqp3cp hang limp they became diminished they hang limp
H1809-05 Job 28:4 דַּ֖לּוּ dalu HVqp3cp they hang they became diminished they declined
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