דְּרוֹר (de.ror)
de.ror
liberty
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun deror signifies a state of freedom or liberty, carrying the vivid image of something moving with an unimpeded, flowing motion. In its most literal application, this sense of fluidity appears in Leviticus 4:7, where it describes the free run of blood from the altar’s horns, emphasizing an unrestricted flow. This physical imagery grounds the word’s broader spiritual and social meaning: a release from constraint or bondage.
In the prophetic literature, particularly Isaiah 61:1, deror denotes the proclamation of liberty to captives, marking a decisive break from oppression. The term appears six times in Scripture, with significant weight in Jeremiah and Leviticus, where it often connects to the Jubilee year’s release of debts and slaves. It is not merely the absence of chains but an active, unburdened state of being.
Translators typically render deror as "liberty" or "freedom," capturing its essence as a positive condition of release rather than just passive independence. Its usage in Isaiah highlights this as a divine act of restoration, where freedom is granted to those bound by injustice. The word thus anchors the biblical hope for societal and personal renewal, portraying liberty as a flowing, life-giving reality established by God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word deror paints a picture of freedom as something that flows freely, like water finding its natural path without obstruction. In the Bible, this is not just about being left alone, but about being restored to your rightful place within community and family. It suggests a life unburdened by debt or oppression, where relationships are healed and boundaries are respected.
When we read of God proclaiming liberty, we see a deep desire for justice and restoration. This freedom is often tied to specific acts of release, such as returning land to its original owners or freeing those in bondage. It reminds us that true liberty involves caring for our neighbors and ensuring that no one is trapped by circumstances beyond their control.
This concept invites us to consider how we treat others who may feel bound by their situations. Whether through financial generosity or emotional support, we can participate in bringing a sense of release and peace to those around us. It is a call to live in a way that reflects God’s heart for justice and restoration.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- liberty6×
- flowing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דְּרוֹר֙1×
- דְּרֽוֹר\׃1×
- דְּר֜וֹר1×
- דְּר֛וֹר1×
- דְּר֔וֹר1×
- דְר֖וֹר1×
- דְר֔וֹר1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 25:10
You shall make the fiftieth year holy, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee to you; and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family.
This verse establishes the Jubilee year as the primary context for deror, linking liberty directly to the return of property and family lineage.
-
Isaiah 61:1
The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to those who are bound,
Here, the prophet describes a mission to proclaim liberty to captives, framing freedom as a divine act of healing for the brokenhearted.
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Jeremiah 34:8
The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty to them,
The king’s covenant to proclaim liberty highlights the social responsibility required to maintain justice within the community.