דֹּב (dov)
dov
bear
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun dov refers to the bear, a large and powerful wild animal known for its strength and ferocity. In the Old Testament, it appears in twelve verses, often serving as a vivid illustration of danger or overwhelming force. The word is found in diverse contexts, ranging from historical narratives in 1 Samuel to the wisdom literature of Proverbs and the prophetic imagery of Isaiah.
Its most striking usage occurs in 2 Samuel 17:8, where Absalom’s advisor compares his troops to a bear robbed of her cubs, emphasizing their rage and unpredictability. In Proverbs 17:12, encountering a bear denied her young is used as a metaphor for meeting a man acting with foolish malice, highlighting the destructive potential of unchecked emotion. Isaiah 31:4 employs the image differently, describing how a lion or bear can be deterred by the shepherd’s call, suggesting that divine protection can calm even the most terrifying threats.
The sources do not provide detailed etymological roots for this specific form, but its consistent presence in poetic and prophetic texts underscores its cultural recognition as a symbol of raw power. Translators typically render it simply as "bear," preserving the literal animal to convey the intensity of the situations described. The word’s brevity and directness make it an effective tool for writers aiming to evoke immediate fear or respect for natural forces.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for bear in Hebrew appears twelve times in the Old Testament, painting a picture of raw, untamed power. In David’s story, he recalls how God delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear while he guarded his father’s sheep (1 Samuel 17:37). This memory was not just about survival; it was proof that God protects His people even when they face overwhelming odds alone.
Yet the bear also represents danger. In Lamentations, the prophet describes God as a bear lying in wait, illustrating the heavy weight of judgment during Israel’s darkest hours (Lamentations 3:10). Similarly, Hosea uses the image of a bereaved bear to show how sin can lead to a tearing apart of the heart (Hosea 13:8). These texts remind us that while God is our refuge from harm, He is also holy and just.
For your faith today, this word invites trust. Whether you are facing a giant like Goliath or dealing with the consequences of brokenness, remember that the same God who delivered David is present. You do not need to fight these battles in your own strength. His protection is real, and His justice is sure.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ bear4×
- like/ a bear2×
- like <the>/ bears1×
- and/ bear1×
- and/ a bear1×
- a bear1×
- [is] a bear1×
- [female] bears1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דֹּ֣ב2×
- כְּ/דֹ֥ב1×
- כְּ/דֹ֣ב1×
- כַ/דֻּבִּים֙1×
- וָ/דֹב֙1×
- וְ/דֹ֣ב1×
- הַ/דֹּ֔ב1×
- הַ/דֹּ֑ב1×
- הַ/דּ֖וֹב1×
- הַ/דּ֔וֹב1×
- דֻּבִּים֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 17:37
David said, “Yahweh, who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go! Yahweh will be with you.”
David links his past deliverance from the bear’s paw to his future trust in God against Goliath, showing how previous victories build faith for current battles.
-
Lamentations 3:10
He is to me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in hiding.
The prophet uses the bear lying in wait to vividly describe the sudden and crushing nature of divine judgment experienced during Jerusalem’s fall.
-
Hosea 13:8
I will meet them like a bear that is bereaved of her cubs, and will tear the covering of their heart. There I will devour them like a lioness. The wild animal will tear them.
God describes Himself as a bereaved bear to illustrate how persistent rebellion leads to a tearing apart of the human heart, emphasizing the seriousness of sin.
-
Proverbs 17:12
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
This proverb uses the ferocity of a mother bear protecting her young to warn that encountering a fool in his folly is more dangerous than any wild beast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word for bear (dov) symbolize in the Bible?
Why is the bear mentioned in 2 Samuel 17:8?
Is the bear used as a positive symbol anywhere?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 8 books)
I Samuel 3 verses
David said to Saul, “Your servant was keeping his father’s sheep; and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of…
I Samuel 17:36Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, since he has…
I Samuel 17:37David said, “Yahweh, who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, will deliver me out of…