Dandle
## The Biblical Image of Dandling The verb 'dandle' appears only once in the Bible, in Isaiah 66:12 (KJV, NKJV): 'For thus saith the LORD... ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.' The Hebrew word is sha`ashu`im, derived from a root meaning 'to delight in' or 'to fondle.' It paints a vivid picture of a caregiver—often a mother or nurse—gently bouncing a contented infant on their lap, an act of playful affection and secure bonding.
## Context in Isaiah's Prophecy This intimate image is set within Isaiah's grand finale (Isaiah 65-66), which contrasts God's judgment on the wicked with the glorious future for His faithful remnant. The prophet describes the future Jerusalem as a nurturing mother to her returning children. The promise of being 'dandled upon her knees' follows metaphors of abundant prosperity and peace, like a river of peace and the wealth of nations flowing to God's people (Isaiah 66:10-12). It signifies the complete restoration of relationship, where fear is replaced with playful safety.
## Cultural and Historical Significance In the ancient Near East, the knee or lap was a place of honor, inheritance, and blessing (e.g., Genesis 30:3, 48:12; Job 3:12). To be dandled on the knees signified acceptance, legitimacy, and cherished belonging within the family. This action went beyond basic care; it represented joyful, voluntary affection. In the context of post-exilic prophecy, it assured the broken and scattered people that their return to Zion would not be merely political but would involve deep emotional and spiritual healing, experiencing God's comfort firsthand.
## Theological Significance The metaphor teaches profound truths about God's character. It reveals Him as a God of intimate comfort who delights in His children's security and joy. This maternal/parental imagery (echoed in Isaiah 49:15, 66:13) complements the Bible's portrayal of God's fatherly love. It emphasizes that the culmination of God's redemptive plan is not just ethical perfection or ritual purity, but a relationship of unspeakable tenderness and joyful peace. The act of dandling—requiring trust from the child and loving attention from the caregiver—becomes a powerful symbol of the covenant peace (shalom) believers will fully experience in God's consummated kingdom.
Biblical Context
The term appears exclusively in Isaiah 66:12 within a prophetic oracle. It is part of a cluster of maternal metaphors describing the future, restored Jerusalem's role in comforting and nourishing God's people. The image plays a specific literary role, providing the culminating picture of intimate safety and delight following images of prosperity and peace.
Theological Significance
The image reveals God's profoundly comforting and affectionate nature. It teaches that God's ultimate blessing for His people includes deep emotional security and relational intimacy. This maternal metaphor expands the biblical understanding of God's care, illustrating that salvation culminates in a state of playful, trusting rest in His presence, free from fear and full of delight.
Historical Background
Ancient Near Eastern art and literature frequently depict children on the knees of parents or nurses as a symbol of favor and lineage. The knee (berek in Hebrew) was associated with blessing and covenant (as in Genesis 24:60). The action of dandling reflects a universal human expression of care, grounding Isaiah's lofty prophecy in a relatable, domestic scene that would resonate deeply with his audience.