דַּוָּי

דַּוָּי

sick; figuratively, troubled

Definition

The Hebrew noun דַּוָּי (davvây) describes a state of physical sickness or illness, as seen in Isaiah 1:5 where the prophet describes the nation's head as 'sick' and heart as 'faint.' Figuratively, it extends to emotional and spiritual distress, depicting a deep, internal anguish. In Lamentations 1:22, Jerusalem personified pleads for her enemies' suffering to be like her own 'sickness,' blending physical and metaphorical pain. The term thus captures a holistic condition of weakness, whether bodily, emotional, or national.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only three times in the Old Testament, always in poetic or prophetic literature. It is used to portray severe distress, both literal and metaphorical. In Isaiah 1:5, it diagnoses the moral sickness of Judah. In Jeremiah 8:18, the prophet expresses his own profound grief over the people's fate, crying, 'My sorrow is beyond healing, my heart is faint (davvây) within me.' In Lamentations 1:22, it is used in a lament, equating personal suffering with a plea for divine justice.

Etymology

Derived from the root דָּוֶה (dāveh, H1739), meaning 'to be sick' or 'to be faint.' This root itself conveys a sense of languishing or being unwell. דַּוָּי is the noun form, concretizing the state of sickness. Cognate words in Semitic languages also relate to weakness or illness, indicating a shared ancient understanding of this condition.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects physical suffering with spiritual and national brokenness, often as a consequence of sin. In prophetic texts like Isaiah 1:5, the 'sickness' is a direct metaphor for the people's rebellion against God, showing how covenant failure manifests as collective distress. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by revealing how the biblical authors saw no strict separation between bodily ailment, emotional grief, and moral decay—all were symptoms of a fractured relationship with God. In ancient Israelite culture, health was often viewed holistically; sickness could be perceived as a sign of divine disfavor or the consequence of sin (e.g., Deuteronomy 28:22). The term's use in laments and prophecies reflects this worldview, where national disasters and personal illness were intertwined. The emotional weight of דַּוָּי in a communal lament like Lamentations 1:22 would resonate deeply with an audience familiar with suffering as both a physical and corporate experience. חֹלִי (ḥōlî, H2483) — a more general term for sickness or disease. תְּשִׁישָׁה (tᵊšîšâ, H8586) — denotes feebleness or exhaustion, often physical. יָגוֹן (yāḡôn, H3015) — focuses on grief or sorrow, more emotional than physical.

Word Details