דֵּהָיֵא (da.ha.va)
da.ha.va
Dehavite
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The term da.ha.va appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Ezra 4:9. It functions as a proper noun identifying the Dehavites, one of the groups listed among those resettled by the Assyrian king to populate Samaria. The text presents this name alongside other ethnic designations, situating it within the broader narrative of imperial population transfers and the complex social landscape of post-exilic Judah.
Lexical sources note a secondary meaning for the root as "that is" or "which is to say," though in this specific instance, it serves strictly as an identifier. Some traditions link the name to a root meaning "sickly" or "weak," suggesting a descriptive origin for the people's title, although the text itself does not elaborate on their character. Its solitary occurrence makes it a rare lexical marker, anchoring the historical record of foreign communities interacting with the rebuilding community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Dehavite appears in Ezra 4:9 as part of a list of peoples resettled by the Assyrian king in Samaria. This single mention places the Dehavites within a complex historical moment where different ethnic groups lived side by side. For readers today, this detail highlights how God’s people navigated relationships with neighbors from diverse backgrounds during a time of rebuilding.
While the text does not elaborate on their specific beliefs or actions, their inclusion reminds us that community life often involves engaging with those who are different from us. The biblical narrative shows that even in times of tension, these groups were part of the broader social fabric of the region. This offers a perspective on how faith communities have historically interacted with surrounding cultures.
Understanding such historical details helps ground our reading of Scripture in real human contexts. It encourages us to consider how we relate to others in our own communities, recognizing that diversity has always been part of the story. The focus remains on God’s sovereignty over nations and peoples, regardless of their origins.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Dehavites/ the1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דֶּהָיֵ֖/א1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 4:9
Then Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,
This verse lists the Dehaites among other resettled groups, showing they were part of the imperial population policy in Samaria.