דׇּפִי

a stumbling-block

Definition

The Hebrew noun דׇּפִי (dophîy) refers to a stumbling-block or an object that causes someone to trip and fall. In its sole biblical occurrence in Psalm 50:20, it is used metaphorically to describe slanderous speech that causes others to stumble morally or relationally. The word conveys the idea of an obstacle or impediment that leads to a person's downfall, whether physical, ethical, or spiritual. While the literal sense is a physical tripping hazard, its biblical application is entirely figurative, focusing on destructive behavior that harms others.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 50:20, where God accuses the wicked: 'You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son.' Here, דׇּפִי is translated as 'slanderest,' indicating that malicious speech acts as a stumbling-block, causing injury and discord within the community. The context is a divine lawsuit (Psalm 50) where God judges His people for covenant violations, highlighting how slander is a serious moral failure that disrupts social harmony.

Etymology

Derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to push over' or 'to trip up.' The noun form דׇּפִי inherently carries the sense of causing someone to fall or stumble. It is related conceptually to other Hebrew words for stumbling or falling, such as כָּשַׁל (kāšal, H3782), though דׇּפִי emphasizes the causative agent—the object or action that initiates the stumble.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it illustrates how sin functions as an obstacle in one's relationship with God and others. In Psalm 50:20, slander is condemned not merely as rude speech but as a destructive force that undermines covenant community, reflecting God's concern for truth and righteous interpersonal conduct. Understanding דׇּפִי enriches reading by showing that biblical ethics often frame sin in tangible, relational terms—like a tripping hazard—that highlights its real-world consequences and God's call to remove such barriers (cf. Romans 14:13 in the New Testament).

In ancient Israelite culture, maintaining social cohesion and honor within the family and community was paramount. Slander (דׇּפִי) was seen as a direct attack on this fabric, potentially ruining reputations and relationships. Unlike modern contexts where gossip might be minimized, in the biblical setting, such speech was a serious moral and legal offense, akin to placing a physical obstacle in someone's path, because it could lead to tangible social or economic harm.

מִכְשׁוֹל (mikšôl, H4383) — a more common term for stumbling-block or obstacle, often used in prophetic literature. כָּשַׁל (kāšal, H3782) — a verb meaning to stumble or fall, focusing on the action rather than the cause. תַּקְלָה (taqlâ, H4384) — a stumbling, often implying a cause of ruin or offense.

Word Details

Scripture References