דָּוִד

דָּוִד

David, the youngest son of Jesse

Definition

David is the name of the most prominent king in Israel's history, the youngest son of Jesse from the tribe of Judah (1 Samuel 16:11-13). He is first introduced as a shepherd and musician who becomes a mighty warrior and the anointed successor to King Saul (1 Samuel 16:18-23, 1 Samuel 17). His primary meaning is as the king who established Jerusalem as Israel's capital and to whom God promised an eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-16). In later biblical books, 'David' often refers to this royal line or the ideal future king, the Messiah, who would come from his lineage (Isaiah 9:7, Jeremiah 23:5).

Biblical Usage

The name David is used extensively throughout the Old Testament, from the historical narratives of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 1 Chronicles, which detail his life and reign, to the poetic books where he is named as the author of many psalms (e.g., Psalm 3 title). In the prophetic books, he is frequently invoked as the prototype for the coming ideal king (e.g., Ezekiel 34:23-24, Hosea 3:5). The usage pattern establishes him as the central human figure in Israel's monarchy and the benchmark for faithful leadership.

Etymology

The name דָּוִד (Dâvid) is likely derived from the root דּוֹד (dôd, H1730), meaning 'beloved' or 'uncle.' This connection suggests the meaning 'beloved one.' A longer form, דָּוִיד (Dâvîyd), appears rarely. The etymology fittingly reflects his description as one loved by God and the people (1 Samuel 16:21, 2 Samuel 12:24-25).

Semantic Range

David is a cornerstone of biblical theology. God's unconditional covenant with him (2 Samuel 7) is central to the promise of a Messiah, directly linking David's lineage to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1). Understanding David as the 'anointed one' (messiah) in his historical context enriches the reading of messianic prophecies and the New Testament's presentation of Jesus as the Son of David. His life embodies themes of covenant, repentance (Psalm 51), and God's faithfulness despite human failure. In its original setting, the name David identified a specific historical monarch, but it quickly became a powerful symbol of kingship, military success, and divine favor. The promise of a Davidic king became the hope for national restoration and ideal governance. This cultural understanding evolved from viewing David as a past ruler to anticipating a future, ultimate ruler from his line, which differs from a modern understanding of the name as merely historical or personal. מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — The generic term for 'king'; David is the specific, archetypal king. מָשִׁיחַ (māšîaḥ, H4899) — 'Anointed one'; David was the anointed king, a title that develops into 'Messiah.'

Word Details