דָּבֵק (da.veq)
da.veq
cleaving
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word dabeq means to stick fast or cling tightly to something. It describes a physical or relational bond that is difficult to break, suggesting an intimate and persistent attachment. In the Old Testament, it appears in only three verses, making its usage both rare and significant.
Its most famous occurrence is in Genesis 2:24, where it describes the union of husband and wife as becoming "one flesh." Here, dabeq conveys a profound joining that goes beyond mere proximity. It also appears in Deuteronomy 10:20 and 11:22, where Israel is commanded to cleave to the Lord, indicating total loyalty and devotion. The word implies an active, ongoing commitment rather than a passive state.
Translators often render dabeq as "cleave" or "cling," words that carry a sense of permanence. Unlike other Hebrew verbs for love or friendship, dabeq emphasizes the inseparable nature of the relationship. It is used to describe both human marriage and the covenantal bond between God and His people, highlighting the depth of commitment required in both.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word dabeq describes a bond so tight that separation becomes nearly impossible. It is not just about being near someone; it is about sticking fast to them through thick and thin. This kind of connection requires effort and choice, moving beyond casual friendship into deep, enduring loyalty.
In the Bible, this word highlights two primary relationships: marriage and devotion to God. When used for marriage, it points to the inseparable union between husband and wife. When applied to faith, it calls believers to cling tightly to the Lord with total commitment. This is not a passive feeling but an active, daily decision to remain attached.
For your life, this means that true connection involves persistence. Whether in your relationships or your walk with God, staying close requires intentionality. You are invited to rest in the security of a bond that does not easily break, knowing that such loyalty is both given and maintained through faithful love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- who/ were clinging1×
- cleaving1×
- [was] clinging1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/דְּבֵקִ֔ים1×
- דָּבֵ֥ק1×
- דְּבֵקָ֕ה1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
This verse illustrates the highest standard of human friendship, where a true friend sticks closer than a brother, showing the depth of loyal attachment.
-
II Chronicles 3:12
The wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was five cubits, joining to the wing of the other cherub.
Here the word describes physical joining in the temple cherubim, emphasizing the tangible and inseparable nature of the bond it signifies.
-
Deuteronomy 4:4
But you who were faithful to Yahweh your God are all alive today.
Although the translation varies, this occurrence links faithfulness to Yahweh with the concept of clinging, showing that survival depends on this tight attachment.