דָּאָה (da.ah)
da.ah
to fly
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb da’ah describes a specific kind of movement: flying swiftly or darting through the air. It is not used for the slow, steady flight of a bird gliding on thermal currents, but rather for rapid, often sudden motion. This sense of speed and agility distinguishes it from other words for flying that might emphasize endurance or height.
In Scripture, this word appears only three times, with two occurrences in Jeremiah and one in Deuteronomy. In Jeremiah 4:13, it describes clouds moving so fast they seem like eagles, emphasizing their overwhelming speed and power. Similarly, Deuteronomy 28:49 uses it to depict an enemy nation approaching like a bird of prey swooping down, highlighting the suddenness and terror of the threat.
The imagery relies on the visual of something small but fast, creating a sense of immediacy. Translators often render it as "fly swiftly" or "dart," capturing that burst of kinetic energy. The word’s rarity makes its usage in these contexts particularly striking, focusing the reader’s attention on the velocity and force of the subject described.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word da’ah captures a sudden, powerful motion rather than a steady glide. It describes something darting through the air with speed and force. This imagery reminds us that God’s actions are often swift and decisive. When we face uncertainty, this word offers a glimpse into the immediacy of divine intervention.
In Scripture, da’ah is used to describe clouds moving like eagles or enemies swooping down from afar. These scenes highlight the overwhelming power and speed involved. For your faith, this suggests that God is not distant or slow. He acts with purpose and clarity, bringing both judgment and deliverance in His time.
Reflecting on this word can bring comfort. It assures us that no threat is too fast for God to handle. His plans unfold with precision, just as a bird of prey targets its path. We can trust that what seems sudden to us is part of His careful design.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- someone will swoop down1×
- it swoops down1×
- and/ he may swoop down1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִדְאֶ֖ה1×
- יִדְאֶ֑ה1×
- וְ/יִדְאֶ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 28:49
Yahweh will bring a nation against you from far away, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flies: a nation whose language you will not understand,
This verse uses da’ah to depict an enemy nation approaching with the sudden, terrifying speed of an eagle, emphasizing the immediacy of divine judgment.
-
Jeremiah 48:40
For Yahweh says: “Behold, he will fly as an eagle, and will spread out his wings against Moab.
Here the word describes God’s agent flying against Moab like an eagle, highlighting the inescapable and swift nature of His decree.
-
Jeremiah 49:22
Behold, he will come up and fly as the eagle, and spread out his wings against Bozrah. The heart of the mighty men of Edom at that day will be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
The verb illustrates the sudden ascent and spread of wings against Bozrah, reinforcing the image of overwhelming force and rapid movement.