דְּבוֹרָה (de.vo.rah)
de.vo.rah
bee
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun deborah simply means "bee," referring to the insect or a swarm of them. It is a rare word in Scripture, appearing only four times across the Old Testament. In Judges 4:4, it serves as the name of Deborah, the prophetess and judge who led Israel, creating a memorable link between her leadership and the industrious nature of the creature.
When used descriptively rather than as a proper name, the word appears in poetic passages to illustrate overwhelming numbers or divine judgment. In Psalm 118:12 and Isaiah 7:18, bees are depicted as an invading force that swarms against enemies. This imagery suggests a relentless, stinging pressure from those who surround or attack God’s people, rather than a peaceful natural scene.
Translators consistently render deborah as "bee" without ambiguity. The term carries no metaphorical weight beyond its literal sense of the insect in these contexts. Its primary significance lies in its brevity and its unique role as one of the few Hebrew words for insects that appear in the biblical text, grounding the poetic imagery of judgment in a concrete, familiar reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word deborah appears in Scripture with a striking duality. In Judges, it names a leader whose wisdom guided Israel through conflict. Yet in poetic texts like Isaiah and Psalms, bees represent an overwhelming force that surrounds and presses against God’s people. This contrast reminds us that the same imagery can describe both divine provision and divine judgment.
When you face pressure from many sides, remember that bees are not just pests; they are part of a created order under God’s control. In Psalm 118:12, the psalmist acknowledges being surrounded but finds strength in Yahweh’s name. You do not have to carry this burden alone. God’s power is greater than any swarm.
Even in moments of fear or confusion, look for the honey hidden in the lion’s carcass as seen in Judges 14:8. Sweetness can emerge from difficult circumstances when you seek God’s perspective. His plans often include unexpected blessings amidst trials.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- like/ bees1×
- bees1×
- and/ for the/ bee1×
- <the>/ bees1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כִ/דְבוֹרִ֗ים1×
- וְ/לַ֨/דְּבוֹרָ֔ה1×
- הַ/דְּבֹרִ֑ים1×
- דְּבוֹרִ֛ים1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 14:8
After a while he returned to take her, and he went over to see the carcass of the lion; and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey.
This verse uniquely shows bees producing honey within a dead lion, illustrating how God can bring sweetness out of seemingly impossible or dark situations.
-
Isaiah 7:18
It will happen in that day that Yahweh will whistle for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
Here the bee symbolizes an invading army from Assyria, showing how God uses foreign powers as instruments of judgment against His people’s unfaithfulness.
-
Psalms 118:12
They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In Yahweh’s name I cut them off.
The psalmist describes enemies surrounding him like bees but asserts that in Yahweh’s name he cuts them off, highlighting divine deliverance from overwhelming opposition.