דָּלַף
to drip; by implication, to weep
Definition
The Hebrew verb דָּלַף (dâlaph) primarily means 'to drip' or 'to drop,' describing a slow, steady leakage of liquid, such as water from a roof or tears from the eyes. By extension, it metaphorically conveys the idea of weeping or melting away in sorrow, as seen in Job 16:20 where Job's friends are described as 'dropping' tears for him, implying a continuous flow of grief. In a more literal and proverbial sense, it describes physical decay and neglect, such as a leaky roof causing a house to collapse (Ecclesiastes 10:18). The word can also express a sense of spiritual or emotional depletion, as in Psalm 119:28 where the psalmist's soul 'melts' or 'droops' from heaviness.
Biblical Usage
This verb occurs only three times in the Old Testament, each in a distinct context that illustrates its range. In Job 16:20, it is used figuratively for weeping ('My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God'). In Psalm 119:28, it describes a soul melting or drooping from sorrow ('My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!'). In Ecclesiastes 10:18, it is used literally for a leaky roof as a symbol of sloth ('Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks'). It appears in poetic (Job, Psalms) and wisdom (Ecclesiastes) literature, emphasizing emotional or physical deterioration.
Etymology
דָּלַף is a primitive root in Hebrew, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew word. It is related to the concept of a slow, dripping flow. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Akkadian 'dalāpu' meaning 'to drip' or 'to melt,' and Arabic 'dalafa' meaning 'to flow slowly.' This root consistently conveys the idea of a gradual, often undesirable, trickling or dissolution.
Semantic Range
דָּלַף is theologically significant as it vividly portrays human vulnerability, grief, and the consequences of neglect. Its use for weeping (Job 16:20, Psalm 119:28) connects physical tears to deep spiritual and emotional anguish before God, validating human sorrow in prayer. The proverbial use in Ecclesiastes 10:18 links physical decay (a leaky house) to moral failing (sloth), teaching that spiritual negligence has tangible, destructive consequences. Understanding this Hebrew word enriches reading by highlighting the Bible's concrete imagery for internal states and moral cause-and-effect.
In ancient Israelite culture, a leaky roof (Ecclesiastes 10:18) was a serious practical problem, as homes were often made with clay or plaster over wooden beams. A persistent drip could weaken the structure, making it a potent symbol of the ruin that comes from laziness and poor stewardship. The metaphor of dripping for weeping reflects the value placed on lament and the physical expression of grief, which was culturally accepted and ritually significant.
נָטַף (nāṭaph, H5197) — also means 'to drop' or 'drip,' but often used for prophetic speech or distilling words (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:2)., בָּכָה (bākhâ, H1058) — the common verb 'to weep,' focusing on the act of crying rather than the imagery of a slow drip., מָסַס (māsas, H4549) — means 'to melt' or 'dissolve,' often from fear or heat, more about total liquefaction than a dripping process.
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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