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דַּד

𐤃𐤃

dad

H1717 noun

SILEX Entry

Root דוד to love, to be beloved, uncle

Definition

Breast, especially the female breast, often in contexts relating to physical nurture (nourishing a child) or sexual attractiveness/intimacy. In poetry, the term typically carries both literal and figurative connotations, including affection, sensuality, or fertility. The word does not connote motherly identity per se, but focuses on the body part itself, sometimes used euphemistically or as a symbol within love poetry.

Semantic Range

breast, female breast, teat, seat of physical nurture, object of erotic affection

Root / Etymology

From the root דּוֹד (dwd), meaning 'to love' or 'uncle/beloved', possibly indicating an association with affection or intimacy. The nominal form דַּד (dad) specifically means 'breast', but its connection to the root is primarily conceptual rather than morphological.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used predominantly in poetic and late biblical texts, notably in the Song of Songs, where it appears in contexts of romantic or erotic affection. Unlike other Hebrew words for breast (e.g. שָׁד, shad), דַּד tends to appear in explicit expressions of desire or beauty. In post-biblical times, this term fell out of common usage and was replaced by other forms. English translations often render it simply as 'breast', but may lose the nuance of intimacy or affection embedded in some biblical passages. While some English translations, especially older ones, might use euphemisms or other phrasing, the Hebrew term is explicit and direct in its use.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently from the same as דּוֹד; the breast (as the seat of love, or from its shape); breast, teat.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

דוד (d-w-d) — to love, to be beloved, uncle

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1721 דֹּדָנִים Dodanites
H1730 דּוֹד father's-brother of
H1731 דּוּד large cooking pots
H1732 דָּוִד in David
H1733 דּוֹדָה your paternal aunt

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1717-02 דַּדֵּ֖י dadey HNcmdc breasts breasts of 2
H1717-03 דַּ֭דֶּי/הָ dadeyha HNcmdc/Sp3fs her breasts her breasts 1
H1717-01 דַּדַּ֔יִ/ךְ dadayikhe HNcmdc/Sp2fs your breasts your two breasts 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1717-02 Ezekiel 23:3 דַּדֵּ֖י dadey HNcmdc the teats breasts of
H1717-02 Ezekiel 23:8 דַּדֵּ֣י dadey HNcmdc breasts breasts of
H1717-01 Ezekiel 23:21 דַּדַּ֔יִ/ךְ dadayikhe HNcmdc/Sp2fs your breasts your two breasts
H1717-03 Proverbs 5:19 דַּ֭דֶּי/הָ dadeyha HNcmdc/Sp3fs her breasts her breasts
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