דּוֹר

properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling

Definition

The Hebrew noun דּוֹר (dôwr) primarily refers to a 'generation,' meaning a group of people living at the same time, often spanning a lifespan. It can describe contemporaries (Genesis 6:9), descendants (Genesis 9:12), or a specific age or period (Genesis 15:16). In a secondary sense, derived from its root meaning 'to dwell,' it can poetically refer to a 'dwelling place' or habitation, as seen in passages like Psalm 49:19, though this usage is less common.

Biblical Usage

דּוֹר is used 127 times across the Old Testament, most frequently in narrative and poetic books like Genesis, Psalms, and Isaiah. It commonly appears in genealogies and historical summaries to mark successive periods (e.g., Exodus 1:6). A key pattern is its use in covenantal contexts, such as God's promise to be God to Abraham and his descendants 'throughout their generations' (Genesis 17:7, 9). Poetic books often use it to contrast the fleeting nature of a human generation with God's eternal nature (e.g., Psalm 90:1).

Etymology

Derived from the root דּוּר (dûr, H1752), meaning 'to heap up,' 'to dwell,' or 'to move in a circle.' This root conveys ideas of circularity and duration, leading to the primary meaning of a revolving period of time—a generation. The connection to 'dwelling' likely stems from the concept of a settled, enduring community or abode.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it is central to understanding God's covenant relationship with His people across time. The phrase 'throughout your generations' underscores the enduring, multi-generational nature of God's promises and commands (e.g., the covenant sign in Genesis 17:12). It highlights human transience versus divine eternality (Isaiah 51:8) and frames salvation history as a succession of generations under God's sovereign plan, enriching our reading of biblical narrative and prophecy.

In ancient Israelite culture, identity and covenant were deeply tied to lineage and generational continuity. A 'generation' (דּוֹר) was not just an abstract age but a concrete social unit responsible for maintaining tradition, law, and collective memory. This contrasts with modern individualistic perspectives, emphasizing the collective responsibility and shared fate of a familial and national community across time.

תּוֹלְדוֹת (tôledôt, H8435) — specifically refers to 'generations' in the sense of genealogical records or family histories. עוֹלָם (ʿôlām, H5769) — means 'long duration,' 'antiquity,' or 'eternity,' focusing on perpetual time rather than a single lifespan period. דּוֹר וָדוֹר (dôr wā-dôr) — a repeated phrase meaning 'generation to generation,' emphasizing continuity across multiple דּוֹר units.

Word Details

Scripture References