הָדַף (ha.daph)
ha.daph
to thrust
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb hadaph describes a forceful physical action: to thrust, push, or drive something away. It appears ten times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Proverbs. The core idea is not merely movement but the application of pressure to remove an object or person from a space.
In its most literal sense, it refers to expelling enemies or obstacles. For example, Deuteronomy 7:24 uses it to describe how God drives out nations before Israel, emphasizing divine power and decisive action rather than passive removal. Similarly, Proverbs 26:9 employs the image of a thornbush in the hand of a drunkard to illustrate how folly is like a thorn that gets thrust into the hand of fools—a vivid metaphor for self-inflicted harm through lack of discernment.
This word carries weight because it implies agency and intent. It is not accidental displacement but deliberate pushing out. The sources highlight its use in contexts of judgment and removal, whether of nations or of foolish behavior. Translators often render it as "drive out" or "thrust away," capturing the physicality and finality of the action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word hadaph describes a decisive act of thrusting or driving something away. It is not a gentle suggestion but a firm application of force to remove an obstacle, an enemy, or even a foolish impulse. When you encounter this term in Scripture, it reminds you that God’s actions are often purposeful and final. He does not leave chaos lingering; He clears the path for what He intends.
In your own life, this can be a source of great comfort. Just as God thrusts away the desires of the wicked or drives out enemies from before His people, He actively removes what harms your soul. You do not have to struggle alone against every burden. The One who holds history has the power to clear away the noise and distraction that keep you from peace.
Consider how this word appears in Proverbs, where folly is likened to a thorn thrust into the hand of a fool. It warns us that unwise choices bring immediate, painful consequences. Yet, it also highlights God’s care for the righteous, who are sustained while harmful desires are pushed aside. Trust in His ability to protect your heart and guide your steps toward what is truly good.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will push/ him2×
- when/ drives out1×
- to/ drive out1×
- to/ drive away/ her1×
- people drive/ him1×
- he will drive out/ them1×
- he rejects1×
- he pushed/ him1×
- and/ I will push/ you1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/הֲדֹ֥ף1×
- לְ/הָדְפָ֗/הּ1×
- יֶהְדֹּֽף\׃1×
- יֶהְדָּפֶ֑/נּוּ1×
- יֶהְדֳּפֵ֣/ם1×
- יֶ֭הְדְּפֻ/הוּ1×
- וַ/הֲדַפְתִּ֖י/ךָ1×
- הֲדָפֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- הֲדָפ֑/וֹ1×
- בַּ/הֲדֹ֣ף1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 9:4
Don’t say in your heart, after Yahweh your God has thrust them out from before you, “For my righteousness Yahweh has brought me in to possess this land;” because Yahweh drives them out before you because of the wickedness of these nations.
This verse clarifies that God’s decisive removal of nations is based on their wickedness, not Israel’s righteousness, preventing pride in the believer.
-
Proverbs 10:3
Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
Here the word illustrates God’s active protection of the righteous by thrusting away the destructive desires that lead to spiritual hunger.
-
Joshua 23:5
Yahweh your God will thrust them out from before you, and drive them from out of your sight. You shall possess their land, as Yahweh your God spoke to you.
It emphasizes the certainty of God’s promise, showing that He will personally drive out obstacles so His people can possess their inheritance.
-
Job 18:18
He will be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
This usage shows the severe consequence of wickedness, where a person is thrust from light into darkness, highlighting the finality of divine judgment.