דָּגַר (da.gar)
da.gar
to gather
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb dagar describes a mother bird gathering her young under her wings. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times within poetic passages in Jeremiah and Isaiah. The image is intimate and protective, evoking the instinctive care of a hen shielding her chicks from danger or cold.
In Jeremiah 23:9, the word illustrates the shame of false prophets who have abandoned their flock rather than gathering them together. Conversely, in Isaiah 31:5, it portrays God’s fierce protection over Jerusalem, comparing His deliverance to a bird hovering over its nest. This rare usage highlights divine presence as both comforting and powerful.
The term carries no abstract or metaphorical weight beyond this concrete biological picture. Translators consistently render it with phrases like "gather together" or "hover," preserving the visual clarity of the original. Its scarcity in Scripture makes each occurrence stand out, emphasizing the specific context of protection and communal unity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dagar paints a vivid picture of a mother bird gathering her young under her wings. This image speaks to the deep instinct for protection and care that exists in nature, reflecting God’s own heart toward His people. When we feel vulnerable or threatened, this imagery reminds us that we are not left to face danger alone.
In Scripture, this rare verb highlights both human failure and divine faithfulness. While false prophets may abandon their flock, God hovers over Jerusalem with fierce protection. This contrast invites us to trust in His presence rather than our own strength. We can find comfort knowing that the same God who shields the vulnerable is actively involved in our lives.
Though this word appears only twice, its meaning resonates deeply. It assures us that gathering under God’s care is not just a passive state but an active refuge. In times of uncertainty, we can rest in the knowledge that we are held securely by His love and power.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ it will gather a brood1×
- [which] it gathers a brood1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/דָגְרָ֣ה1×
- דָגַר֙1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 34:15
The arrow snake will make her nest there, and lay, hatch, and gather under her shade. Yes, the kites will be gathered there, every one with her mate.
This verse uses the word to describe a bird gathering its young under her shade, illustrating a natural instinct for protection that mirrors divine care.
-
Jeremiah 17:11
As the partridge that sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches, and not by right. In the middle of his days, they will leave him. At his end, he will be a fool.
Here the term contrasts with the partridge sitting on eggs she did not lay, highlighting the emptiness of gaining riches through unjust means rather than true gathering or stewardship.