דַּבֶּשֶׁת
a sticky mass, i.e. the hump of acamel
Definition
The Hebrew noun דַּבֶּשֶׁת (dabbesheth) refers specifically to a 'hump' or 'hunch,' particularly the distinctive fatty hump of a camel. It derives from a root meaning 'to be sticky or viscous,' picturing the hump as a dense, adhesive mass of fat. This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 30:6, where it describes the burdens borne by pack animals in a prophetic oracle. No other biblical passages use this term, so its meaning is confined to this singular, concrete anatomical reference.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only in Isaiah 30:6, within a prophecy against Judah for seeking an alliance with Egypt. The verse describes the difficult journey through the wilderness, carrying riches 'on the humps (dabbesheth) of camels' to a nation that cannot help. Its usage is purely descriptive, highlighting the burdensome and futile nature of the mission by focusing on the physical load placed on the animals' distinctive feature.
Etymology
דַּבֶּשֶׁת is an intensive noun form derived from the same root as דְּבַשׁ (dĕbash, H1706), meaning 'honey.' The connection lies in the concept of thickness, viscosity, or a gummy mass. Thus, the camel's hump is conceived not merely as a protrusion but as a dense, sticky accumulation of fat, akin to the consistency of honey.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a mundane anatomical term, its sole biblical occurrence in Isaiah 30:6 carries theological weight. It serves as a vivid, concrete detail in a prophecy condemning misplaced trust. Judah's reliance on Egypt (symbolized by the treasure-laden camels) is as burdensome and ultimately futile as the journey itself. Understanding this specific Hebrew term enriches the imagery, emphasizing the tangible folly of seeking salvation from human power rather than from God.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the camel's hump was its most defining feature, essential for long desert travel as a fat reservoir. Calling it a 'sticky mass' reflects an observational, physical understanding of its composition. This differs from a modern, more clinical anatomical view, capturing the hump's perceived texture and function in the cultural imagination of the time.
None directly synonymous. For general 'back' or 'body part,' שֶׁכֶם (shekem, H7926) — shoulder/back; גַּב (gav, H1354) — back (of animals or humans).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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