דֹּ֫בֶא (do.ve)
do.ve
strength
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun dove appears only once in the entire Old Testament, in Moses’ blessing of the tribe of Dan in Deuteronomy 33:25. Its exact meaning remains uncertain to scholars, with lexicons offering "strength" or "rest" as possible translations but noting that the sense is very doubtful.
This obscurity stems from its rarity; because it does not occur elsewhere in Scripture, there is no broader context to clarify whether it describes physical power, a state of calm, or something else entirely. Translators must therefore make an interpretive choice based on the surrounding imagery of security and provision for Dan.
The word’s single occurrence highlights how some biblical vocabulary is unique to specific poetic or prophetic contexts, leaving readers to rely on the immediate literary setting rather than a established pattern of usage across the canon.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word do.ve appears only once in the entire Old Testament, found in Moses’ blessing of the tribe of Dan. Because it is unique to this single verse, scholars debate whether it means physical strength or a state of rest. This uncertainty reminds us that Scripture sometimes uses rare language to convey deep truths that resist simple definition.
Despite the ambiguity, the context offers clarity. The word follows imagery of iron and bronze bars, suggesting endurance and security. Whether it points to active power or peaceful stability, the blessing promises that your capacity will match your days. This assurance invites trust in God’s provision for every season of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- strength/ your1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דָּבְאֶֽ/ךָ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 33:25
Your bars will be iron and bronze. As your days, so your strength will be.
This is the only occurrence of the word, where it likely describes the sustained endurance or strength granted to Dan in alignment with his days.