דְּבַק
to stick to
Definition
The Hebrew verb דְּבַק (dᵉbaq) means 'to stick to,' 'to cling,' or 'to cleave.' It describes a strong, adhesive attachment, whether physical or relational. In its single biblical occurrence in Daniel 2:43, it is used metaphorically to describe the mixing of iron and clay in a statue's feet, representing a political alliance that 'clings' together but lacks true unity. While this Aramaic form appears only once, its corresponding Hebrew root דָּבַק (dābaq, H1692) is used more broadly, such as in Genesis 2:24 where a man is to 'cleave' to his wife, and in Deuteronomy 10:20 where Israel is commanded to 'cleave' to God.
Biblical Usage
This specific Aramaic form דְּבַק is used only in Daniel 2:43 within the Old Testament. It appears in the context of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream interpretation, describing the unstable cohesion of different materials in a prophetic statue. The usage is metaphorical, depicting a political or social union that is inherently weak despite its adhesive appearance. The related Hebrew verb דָּבַק (H1692) has a wider usage pattern, appearing in narrative, legal, and poetic texts to describe physical clinging (Ruth 2:8), marital union (Genesis 2:24), and covenantal loyalty to God (Deuteronomy 11:22).
Etymology
דְּבַק is the Aramaic form corresponding to the Hebrew root דָּבַק (dābaq, H1692). Both derive from a common Semitic root meaning 'to adhere' or 'to stick.' The Aramaic form appears in the biblical book of Daniel, which contains sections written in Aramaic. The root conveys the idea of a firm, persistent attachment, and its meaning is consistent across its Hebrew and Aramaic appearances, focusing on the strength and intimacy of a bond.
Semantic Range
Though דְּבַק itself appears only once, its conceptual family is theologically significant. The related Hebrew verb דָּבַק is central to describing covenant fidelity, most importantly in the command for Israel to 'cleave' to Yahweh (Deuteronomy 10:20). This frames the relationship with God as one of intimate, exclusive, and enduring attachment. The marital imagery of 'cleaving' in Genesis 2:24 also provides a foundational metaphor for God's covenantal love for His people. Understanding this adhesive, unyielding quality enriches the biblical concept of faithful commitment.
In the ancient Near East, the concept of 'clinging' or 'cleaving' often described vassal treaties and loyalty oaths, where a subordinate party was bound to a superior. The use in Daniel 2:43 to describe a political alliance ('they will mingle with the seed of men') reflects this diplomatic context, implying a union based on treaty or intermarriage that is ultimately fragile. The physical metaphor of materials that stick but do not fuse would have been readily understood in a culture familiar with metallurgy and construction.
חָבַק (ḥābaq, H2263) — to embrace, a more temporary or affectionate physical action; אָחַז (ʾāḥaz, H270) — to grasp, seize, or take hold, often with a sense of control or possession; קָשַׁר (qāšar, H7194) — to bind or tie, focusing on creating a bond rather than an adhesive attachment.
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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