דָּשָׁא
𐤃𐤔𐤀
dâshâʼ
H1876 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To sprout, put forth new growth, or cause green vegetation to appear; describes the action of fresh vegetation emerging from the ground, especially in reference to grass, herbs, or other plants. The term can refer both to the initial act of sprouting and the ongoing process of fresh growth, particularly in the context of the earth producing vegetation by divine agency or as part of seasonal renewal.
Semantic Range
to sprout, to cause to spring up (of grass and vegetation), to bring forth (the earth producing verdure), to produce fresh green shoots
Root / Etymology
From the root דָּשׁ (d-sh-ʾ), which indicates the idea of sprouting, shooting forth, or causing to produce new vegetation. The verb דָּשָׁא is the qal form directly derived from this root. While the root is not widespread, the notion of emergence and fresh, green growth is central, with the verb used primarily in poetic or archaic contexts.
Historical & Contextual Notes
דָּשָׁא appears only a few times in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Genesis 1:11–12; Psalm 23:2; Joel 2:22), each time emphasizing the act of land producing fresh grass or vegetation. Its usage is tied to the visual imagery of verdant life, contrasting with arid or lifeless ground. In creation narratives, the word highlights the divine command resulting in the earth's fecundity. Unlike other common verbs for growing or bearing fruit (e.g., צמח 'to sprout,' פרח 'to blossom'), דָּשָׁא is restricted to verdant, grassy sprouting and is more vivid in its evocation of lushness. In English translations, it is often rendered as 'bring forth' or 'cause to sprout,' but such translations may fail to express the strong connection with fresh, green growth. The term does not refer to sowing or agricultural activity but to the spontaneous emergence of new plant life, often linked to divine or miraculous provision.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to sprout; bring forth, spring.
Bantu Hebrew
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דשא (d-sh-ʾ) — to sprout, to cause to grow, to bring forth new vegetation
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1876-01 |
דָשְׁא֖וּ | dasheu | HVqp3cp |
have turned green | they have sprouted | 1 |
H1876-02 |
תַּֽדְשֵׁ֤א | tadeshe | HVhj3fs |
let sprout | let her cause to sprout | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1876-02 |
Genesis 1:11 | תַּֽדְשֵׁ֤א | tadeshe | HVhj3fs |
let sprout | let her cause to sprout |
H1876-01 |
Joel 2:22 | דָשְׁא֖וּ | dasheu | HVqp3cp |
have turned green | they have sprouted |