דָּלַק (da.laq)
da.laq
to burn/pursue
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb dalāq carries a dual sense of burning and hot pursuit. In its basic form, it describes fire that burns or is kindled, but it frequently shifts to describe a person who pursues another with intense energy or zeal. This usage appears in contexts where the "burning" is metaphorical, representing the heat of aggression or urgent action rather than literal flame.
Its meaning becomes clearer when looking at specific verses. In Proverbs 25:21, it describes feeding an enemy who is "burning" with hostility, suggesting a state of heated anger. Similarly, in Obadiah 1:8, the word is used to describe the destruction that will "burn" against Edom, linking physical fire with divine judgment. The sources note that this intensity distinguishes it from quieter forms of seeking or waiting.
Translators often render dalāq as "burn," "kindle," or "pursue hotly," depending on whether the subject is fire or a person. In Psalms 79:5, for example, the psalmist asks how long God will "burn" with anger, using the word to convey a sustained, intense state of wrath. This connects the physical image of fire with the emotional reality of zeal or judgment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word dalāq paints a vivid picture of intense heat, whether it is literal fire or the burning drive behind human action. In Scripture, this term bridges the gap between physical combustion and emotional urgency. It describes a pursuer who moves with relentless energy, much like a flame that refuses to be extinguished. This imagery reminds us that our inner passions and external actions are deeply connected.
For your faith life, this word invites reflection on what drives you. Are you pursuing goals with a zeal that honors God, or are you consumed by anger and aggression? The text shows that this intensity can lead to judgment, as seen in divine wrath, but it also highlights the seriousness of how we treat others. Even when facing hostility, as Jacob did, the call is often toward resolution rather than reciprocating the burn.
Understanding dalāq helps us recognize the power of our own hearts. It challenges us to examine whether our pursuits are constructive or destructive. By acknowledging this intensity, we can seek God’s guidance to channel our energy into love and justice, ensuring that our actions reflect His peace rather than our own heated impulses.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you have hotly pursued1×
- they hotly pursued/ us1×
- it inflames/ them1×
- he hotly pursues1×
- from/ hotly pursuing1×
- burning1×
- and/ they will burn1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/דְּלֹ֖ק1×
- יַדְלִיקֵֽ/ם\׃1×
- יִדְלַ֣ק1×
- וְ/דָלְק֥וּ1×
- דֹּלְקִ֣ים1×
- דְּלָקֻ֔/נוּ1×
- דָלַ֖קְתָּ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 31:36
Jacob was angry, and argued with Laban. Jacob answered Laban, “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?
This verse captures the personal tension of the word, where Jacob questions Laban’s aggressive pursuit, highlighting the relational strain caused by hot anger.
-
Obadiah 1:18
The house of Jacob will be a fire, the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble. They will burn among them and devour them. There will not be any remaining to the house of Esau.” Indeed, Yahweh has spoken.
Here the term shifts to divine judgment, portraying Jacob’s house as a consuming fire that destroys the stubble-like arrogance of Esau.