דּוּדַי
a boiler or basket; also the mandrake (as an aphrodisiac)
Definition
The Hebrew word דּוּדַי (dûwday) has two primary meanings in the Old Testament. First, it refers to a 'boiler' or 'basket,' specifically a type of pot used for cooking or a container for carrying goods, as seen in Jeremiah 24:1-2 where the prophet sees visions of figs in 'dûwday' baskets. Second, and more famously, it denotes the 'mandrake' plant, a root vegetable (Mandragora officinarum) believed in ancient times to have fertility-enhancing properties. This meaning is central in Genesis 30:14-16, where Rachel and Leah bargain for the mandrakes, linking them directly to conception and childbirth. In the Song of Songs 7:13, the 'mandrakes' are mentioned in a romantic, aromatic context, symbolizing love and desire.
Biblical Usage
The word is used five times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, prophetic, and poetic books. Its usage as 'mandrake' is found in Genesis 30:14-16 within the story of Jacob's family, highlighting its cultural association with fertility. In Song of Songs 7:13, it appears in a poetic love song, emphasizing fragrance and sensual delight. The meaning shifts to 'basket' in the prophetic book of Jeremiah 24:1-2, where it describes the vessels holding figs in a vision symbolizing Judah's exile.
Etymology
Derived from the root דּוּד (dûd, H1731), which means a 'pot,' 'jar,' or 'basket' for cooking or carrying. The connection likely stems from the mandrake root's pot-like shape or its traditional use in pots for preparing love potions. The semantic development moved from a general container to a specific plant stored or used in such containers, especially for its purported aphrodisiac qualities.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it touches on themes of divine providence, human striving, and the cultural context of God's promises. In Genesis 30, the mandrakes represent human effort and superstition in seeking fertility, yet the narrative ultimately shows that children are a gift from God (Genesis 30:22). Understanding 'dûwday' enriches reading by revealing the tension between ancient cultural beliefs and the biblical assertion of God's sovereignty over life and blessing.
In its ancient Near Eastern setting, the mandrake was widely regarded as an aphrodisiac and fertility aid due to the human-like shape of its root and its sedative properties. This cultural belief is the backdrop for the story in Genesis, where Rachel and Leah's actions reflect common practices. Modern readers might miss this, seeing the plant as merely a vegetable, but the original audience understood it as a potent symbol of love and procreation, making the biblical account more vivid and contextually rich.
סַל (sal, H5536) — a general term for 'basket' or 'container,' less specific than dûwday's pot-like basket. פֶּרֶא דּוּדָאִים (pere' dûdā'îm) — the full phrase for 'mandrakes' in Genesis 30:14-16, specifying the wild plant.
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.
Full methodology & sources →