דָּוָה (da.vah)
da.vah
be sick
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb davah describes a state of physical illness or being unwell. It appears only once in the Old Testament, specifically in Leviticus 12:2. In this context, it refers to the condition of a woman after childbirth, marking a period where her body is recovering from the intensity of labor and delivery.
Lexical sources define davah simply as being ill or suffering from infirmity. The word does not carry complex metaphorical meanings in Scripture; it points directly to bodily weakness. This singular usage highlights the physical reality of human life, acknowledging that recovery takes time and that the body may remain fragile even after a major event.
Translators typically render davah as "be ill" or "be unwell." Because the term is so rare, it does not have a broad range of nuances across different books. Its presence in Leviticus underscores the biblical view that physical health and ritual purity are interconnected aspects of life, without suggesting that illness itself is a moral failing.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word davah describes a state of physical illness or being unwell, appearing only once in the Old Testament at Leviticus 12:2. In this context, it refers to the condition of a woman after childbirth, marking a period where her body is recovering from the intensity of labor and delivery. This rare usage highlights the physical reality of human life, acknowledging that recovery takes time and that the body may remain fragile even after a major event.
For your faith, this word offers comfort by validating the need for rest during difficult seasons. It reminds us that physical weakness is not a moral failing but a natural part of our embodied existence. When you feel unwell or are caring for someone who is, this passage affirms that God’s law includes space for healing and recovery. You do not have to rush through every season of vulnerability; taking time to restore your health is a legitimate and holy practice.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- being unwell/ she1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דְּוֹתָ֖/הּ1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 12:2
“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If a woman conceives, and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her monthly period she shall be unclean.
This verse uses davah to describe the post-childbirth state, linking physical recovery with ritual purity rather than sin.