דֹּ֫בֶר (do.ver)
do.ver
pasture; statement
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun dober carries two distinct meanings that rarely overlap in daily speech but appear together in biblical poetry: "speaking" or "word," and "pasture." This duality is most visible in Jeremiah 5:13, where the prophet describes a stark contrast. The people are said to be like oxen driven to pasture, yet their prophets prophesy lies, and the people love to have it so. Here, the physical act of grazing stands in tension with the spiritual failure of listening to God’s word.
In its primary sense of "word" or "speech," dober refers to a message or utterance. It appears in Isaiah 40:8 alongside the more common davar, suggesting a poetic variation for emphasis rather than a strict semantic difference. The sources note this term is relatively rare, occurring only three times in the Hebrew Bible. Its usage highlights the tangible nature of divine communication, treating speech as something that can be received or rejected much like food is consumed or ignored.
The connection between these two senses likely rests on the idea of sustenance. Just as pasture feeds the body, a true word feeds the soul. When Jeremiah links the two concepts, he critiques a community that seeks physical comfort while ignoring spiritual truth. The word itself does not explain the etymology, but its rare occurrence underscores the seriousness with which Scripture treats both what is said and what is heard.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dober bridges two essential needs: physical sustenance and spiritual truth. In biblical poetry, it describes both the green pastures that feed the body and the divine words that nourish the soul. This connection reminds us that just as sheep cannot survive without grazing, we cannot thrive without hearing God’s voice.
When Jeremiah uses this term, he highlights a painful reality: people often seek comfort while ignoring truth. Yet, the promise in Micah offers hope. God gathers His remnant like sheep into their pasture, ensuring they are not left to wander alone. This imagery assures us that our Creator provides both safety and direction.
Reflecting on dober invites us to examine what feeds our lives. Are we satisfied with temporary comforts, or are we seeking the enduring word that sustains our faith? The Bible presents God’s speech as vital nourishment, calling us to listen closely and trust in His provision for every season of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- like/ own pasture/ their1×
- and/ the/ word1×
- <the>/ pasture/ its1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּ/דָבְרָ֑/ם1×
- וְ/הַ/דִּבֵּ֖ר1×
- הַ/דָּֽבְר֔/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 5:13
The prophets will become wind, and the word is not in them. Thus it will be done to them.”
This verse contrasts the absence of true divine speech with the people's desire for comforting lies, highlighting the word's role in spiritual accountability.
-
Micah 2:12
I will surely assemble all of you, Jacob. I will surely gather the remnant of Israel. I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as a flock in the middle of their pasture. They will swarm with people.
Here the term describes a safe gathering place, illustrating God’s care in assembling His people like sheep in a protected pasture.
-
Isaiah 5:17
Then the lambs will graze as in their pasture, and strangers will eat the ruins of the rich.
The word appears in a context of judgment where even basic sustenance is disrupted, showing how physical and spiritual realities are intertwined.