דּוּר (dur)
dur
circle; ball
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun dur refers to a circular object, typically translated as "circle" or "ball." It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times within the book of Isaiah. The word describes something round and contained, evoking the image of a sphere or a ring rather than an abstract concept.
In Isaiah 22:18, the term is used with striking physicality to describe a "ball" being tossed about. The prophet uses this concrete imagery to illustrate how God will roll a person away like a ball into a large land, where they will die in disgrace. This rare usage highlights the word’s capacity to convey motion and vulnerability within a defined shape.
Lexical sources also note a connection to the idea of a cordon or encircling boundary. While the primary sense is that of a round object, the underlying notion involves enclosure or perimeter. Translators must decide whether the context demands the literal "ball" seen in Isaiah 22:18 or the broader sense of a circular limit.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dur describes a round object, like a ball or a circle. In Isaiah 22:18, it paints a vivid picture of someone being tossed about like a heavy sphere into a distant land. This image conveys total loss of control and vulnerability. It reminds us that our stability does not come from our own strength or position.
Yet this same word also appears in Isaiah 29:3 to describe God encamping around a city. Here, the circle is not about being tossed away, but about being surrounded by divine presence. Whether we feel like a ball at the mercy of the wind or a city held within God’s perimeter, He is aware of our circumstances.
When life feels chaotic and out of your hands, remember that God sees the details. He knows when you are being pushed aside and when you are being kept safe. Your security rests in His care, not in your ability to steer every event.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- like <the>/ circle1×
- a ball1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כַּדּ֕וּר1×
- כַ/דּ֖וּר1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 22:18
He will surely wind you around and around, and throw you like a ball into a large country. There you will die, and there the chariots of your glory will be, you disgrace of your lord’s house.
This verse uses the word for 'ball' to depict a person being violently tossed into exile, highlighting total loss of control and disgrace.
-
Isaiah 29:3
I will encamp against you all around you, and will lay siege against you with posted troops. I will raise siege works against you.
Here the term relates to encircling or surrounding, describing God’s military presence laying siege to Jerusalem with posted troops.