דּוּשׁ (dush)
dush
to tread
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Aramaic verb dush means to tread down or crush underfoot. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Daniel 7:23, where it describes the fourth beast’s action against the earth. The word conveys a sense of heavy, destructive pressure, evoking the image of an oppressor flattening what is beneath its feet.
This term is closely related to the Hebrew dush (H1758), sharing the same root and meaning. In Daniel, it characterizes the violent dominance of a powerful empire that tramples over nations. The usage highlights physical subjugation, serving as a vivid metaphor for political tyranny and military conquest in the apocalyptic vision.
Translators typically render dush as "tread down" or "trample," preserving the literal sense of crushing force. Its rarity in Scripture makes this single occurrence in Daniel particularly significant, anchoring the description of the final beast’s cruelty in concrete, physical imagery that readers can easily visualize.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word dush paints a stark picture of crushing weight. In Daniel 7:23, it describes a fourth kingdom that devours the earth and treads it down. This imagery captures the heavy, destructive pressure of political tyranny. It is not a gentle step, but a forceful trampling meant to subjugate and break.
For believers, this vision reminds us that earthly powers may seem overwhelming. Empires rise with violence and leave destruction in their wake. Yet, Daniel’s prophecy points beyond the beast. The Ancient of Days sits in judgment, and the saints receive the kingdom. No amount of treading can erase God’s ultimate plan.
When you face oppression or feel the weight of unjust systems, remember that human power is temporary. The crushing force of dush will not have the final word. Your hope rests in the One who judges all kingdoms and establishes justice forever.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ it will tread down/ it1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/תְדוּשִׁנַּ֖/הּ1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 7:23
“So he said, ‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will tread it down and break it in pieces.
This verse uses dush to describe the fourth beast's violent action of treading down and breaking the earth, highlighting its destructive dominance.