דָּאַג (da.ag)
da.ag
be anxious
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb da’ag conveys a state of deep anxiety or concern, often carrying the weight of fear or dread. In the Old Testament, it describes the restless worry that grips the human heart when facing uncertainty or threat. This is not merely mild stress but a profound agitation of spirit, reflecting how seriously the biblical writers viewed the burden of care.
It appears six times in Scripture, with notable occurrences in Jeremiah, 1 Samuel, and Isaiah. For instance, in 1 Samuel 1:8, Hannah’s husband Elkanah tries to comfort her by asking if he is not more dear to her than ten sons, highlighting the intense emotional pain she feels. Similarly, Jeremiah uses it to describe the anxiety of those who oppose God, showing how this worry can stem from spiritual conflict as much as personal circumstance.
Unlike words that simply mean "to be afraid" in a momentary sense, da’ag suggests a lingering state of mind. It captures the internal struggle of being pulled between trust and terror. Translators often render it as "be anxious" or "fear," depending on context, but the underlying idea remains consistent: a heart unsettled by what lies ahead.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word da’ag describes a heavy, lingering anxiety that settles in the heart when we face uncertainty or threat. It is more than momentary fear; it is a deep agitation of spirit that pulls us between trust and terror. In places like Jeremiah 17:8, we see the contrast clearly: those who trust in God are like trees planted by water, unbothered by drought or heat. Their roots go deep, so they do not need to be anxious about what lies ahead.
When worry grips us, it often feels isolating, much like Hannah’s pain in 1 Samuel 1:8 where her husband tried to comfort her with words that could not reach her sorrow. Yet Scripture invites us to bring this weight to God rather than carrying it alone. The promise is not that life will lack challenges, but that our peace can remain steady even when circumstances shift.
This assurance offers a quiet hope for your own moments of doubt. You do not have to force calmness; you can simply rest in the truth that God holds what you cannot control. Let this word remind you that your security does not depend on your ability to predict the future, but on the steadfast love of the One who watches over you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it will be anxious1×
- did you dread1×
- and/ he will be anxious1×
- and/ he is anxious1×
- [are] anxious1×
- [am] dreading1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִדְאָ֔ג1×
- וְ/דָאַ֤ג1×
- וְ/דָ֥אַג1×
- דֹּאֲגִ֣ים1×
- דָּאַ֤גְתְּ1×
- דֹאֵ֣ג1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 17:8
For he will be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green, and will not be concerned in the year of drought. It won’t cease from yielding fruit.
This verse uses the concept of not fearing or being concerned to illustrate the stability of a heart rooted in God, contrasting anxiety with deep spiritual security.
-
I Samuel 9:5
When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come! Let’s return, lest my father stop caring about the donkeys and be anxious for us.”
Here the word describes Saul’s father becoming anxious for his sons, showing how practical concerns can trigger a state of restless worry.
-
I Samuel 10:2
When you have departed from me today, then you will find two men by Rachel’s tomb, on the border of Benjamin at Zelzah. They will tell you, ‘The donkeys which you went to look for have been found; and behold, your father has stopped caring about the donkeys and is anxious for you, saying, “What shall I do for my son?”’
The promise that Saul's father is anxious for him highlights the emotional weight of separation and the fear of loss in human relationships.
-
Jeremiah 38:19
Zedekiah the king said to Jeremiah, “I am afraid of the Jews who have defected to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.”
Zedekiah expresses his fear of defecting Jews, demonstrating how political pressure can create a paralyzing state of anxiety about safety.