דֶּ֫בֶק (de.veq)
de.veq
joint
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun de.veq refers to the physical points where parts are joined together, such as joints in armor or soldering that binds metal. In the Old Testament, it appears only three times, always describing tangible connections rather than abstract relationships. Its primary sense is mechanical: the rivets, hinges, or seams that hold a structure intact.
This word highlights the importance of secure attachment in ancient craftsmanship. For instance, it describes the open joints of the high priest’s breastplate in 1 Kings 7:45 and 2 Chronicles 4:17, where bronze fittings connected the pieces. It also appears in Isaiah 41:7, depicting workers soldering metal plates to ensure durability. The focus is on strength through connection.
Unlike words that describe emotional bonding or covenant loyalty, de.veq remains grounded in material reality. It illustrates how separate elements become a single, functional unit through deliberate joining. This concrete imagery underscores the value of stability and unity in physical objects, offering a clear picture of how ancient artisans viewed integrity and repair.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word deveq points to the physical joints where metal plates meet, such as the seams in a soldier’s armor or the soldered connections in temple vessels. In ancient craftsmanship, these joints were not weak spots but essential points of strength, holding separate pieces together into a single, functional unit. When armor failed at its joints, the wearer was left exposed; when they held firm, protection remained intact.
This concrete imagery invites us to consider how we are joined to others in community and to God. Just as metal plates rely on precise connections to withstand battle, our spiritual resilience often depends on the integrity of our relationships and commitments. We do not stand alone as isolated fragments but as parts bound together by deliberate care.
When life feels like it is striking at your weak points, remember that connection is designed for stability. The same God who crafted the temple with secure fittings sustains us through the bonds of faith and love, ensuring we remain whole even under pressure.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ joints2×
- of the/ soldering1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/דְּבָקִ֖ים2×
- לַ/דֶּ֙בֶק֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 22:34
A certain man drew his bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the armor. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around, and carry me out of the battle, for I am severely wounded.”
This verse highlights the vulnerability of armor when its joints are breached, showing how a single weak connection can compromise the entire protective structure.
-
II Chronicles 18:33
A certain man drew his bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the armor. Therefore he said to the driver of the chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am severely wounded.”
The parallel account reinforces the reality that physical integrity depends on secure joints, illustrating the consequences of structural failure in battle.
-
Isaiah 41:7
So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith. He who smooths with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good;” and he fastens it with nails, that it might not totter.
Here the word describes artisans actively soldering metal, emphasizing human effort to create durable connections that prevent things from tottering or falling apart.