דָּלַף (da.laph)

The Hebrew verb dalaph describes the action of dripping or leaking, capturing a slow, steady release of liquid. In its most literal sense, it refers to water seeping through a container or structure, suggesting a gradual loss rather than a sudden spill. This physical imagery grounds the word in tangible reality, evoking images of moisture escaping where it is not contained.

Scripture extends this concrete meaning into the emotional realm by using dalaph to describe tears. The sources note its application to weeping, framing sorrow as something that flows steadily from the eyes. This usage appears in poetic texts like Psalms and Job, where the act of crying is depicted not just as an outburst, but as a continuous, draining process. The word connects physical leakage with emotional overflow, highlighting how grief can feel like a slow drain on one’s strength.

Its rarity in the biblical text—appearing only three times—gives it a focused impact. By choosing this specific verb over more general terms for crying, the biblical authors emphasize the persistent nature of certain sorrows. The imagery reminds readers that some forms of grief are not momentary events but ongoing states, much like a steady drip that eventually wears away stone.