דּוּר

דּוּר

a circle, ball or pile

Definition

The Hebrew noun דּוּר (dûwr) primarily means 'a circle' or 'something round,' such as a ball or a pile of objects arranged in a circular shape. In Isaiah 22:18, it describes a 'ball' that will be rolled into a distant land, symbolizing exile. In Ezekiel 24:5, it refers to a 'pile' of wood arranged for a fire under a cooking pot. The word can also imply a surrounding or encirclement, as seen in Isaiah 29:3, where God says, 'I will camp against you round about' (KJV), using דּוּר to convey the idea of a besieging circle.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only three times in the Old Testament, all in prophetic books. It is used in two distinct contexts: for a physical, round object (a ball in Isaiah 22:18; a pile of wood in Ezekiel 24:5) and for the abstract concept of encirclement or siege (Isaiah 29:3). Its usage is metaphorical in Isaiah, symbolizing God's judgment through exile and military siege, while in Ezekiel it is part of a literal cooking metaphor for Jerusalem's judgment.

Etymology

Derived from the root verb דּוּר (dûr, H1752), which means 'to dwell' or 'to heap up,' but more fundamentally 'to move in a circle.' This root conveys the idea of circular motion or arrangement. The noun דּוּר thus inherits the sense of something formed in a circle, pile, or ball. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to circling or dwelling.

Semantic Range

Though a simple noun, דּוּר is used in prophetic judgment oracles to vividly portray God's active, encircling judgment. In Isaiah 22:18, the 'ball' symbolizes the helplessness and forcible removal of the arrogant steward Shebna. In Isaiah 29:3, the 'encirclement' depicts God's sovereign, inescapable siege against Jerusalem. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the imagery, showing judgment as something tangible, rolled away, or as an inescapable surrounding force orchestrated by God. In the ancient Near East, the concept of a 'ball' (like a ball of thread or a rolled-up scroll) could symbolize something portable yet destined for a specific place, as in Isaiah 22:18. The 'pile' of wood in Ezekiel 24:5 reflects common cooking practices, where fuel was stacked. The military imagery of encirclement in Isaiah 29:3 would have been immediately understood by an audience familiar with siege warfare. חוּג (chûwg, H2329) — a circle or vault (of heavens); more abstract. גַּלְגַּל (galgal, H1534) — a wheel or whirlwind; emphasizes rolling motion. עָגֹל (ʿāgōl, H5696) — round or circular in shape; an adjective.

Word Details