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דָּלַל

𐤃𐤋𐤋

dâlal

H1809 verb

SILEX Entry

Root דלל to hang down, become low, be diminished, grow weak

Definition

To hang down, droop, be weak, or become low; to be in a state of physical, social, or economic diminution. The verb can indicate literal physical frailty, but often functions metaphorically for decline in status, influence, or resources. It can describe becoming impoverished, languishing, being brought low, or growing weak in strength, numbers, or quality.

Semantic Range

to be diminished, grow weak, droop or languish, be brought low, become impoverished, lose potency, be in decline, shrink in numbers or status

Root / Etymology

The root is דלל, meaning to hang down or become low. The term is derived from the idea of slackness or something sagging or being brought low from its original position. The core concept is a reduction—whether in physical strength, status, or resources. Cognate roots in other Semitic languages carry similar meanings of hanging down, being sparse, or becoming slight.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, דָּלַל appears in poetic and prophetic contexts, emphasizing diminishment or decline, both literal and figurative. For example, it is used for ‘growing weak’ (Psalm 109:24), ‘becoming diminished’ (Psalm 79:8), or ‘being brought low’ (Ezekiel 17:14). The core nuance is not always physical frailty but can extend to economic impoverishment or social vulnerability. It is distinct from חָלָשׁ ('to be weak/feeble') or עָנִי ('poor', often emphasizing oppression or needing help). English translations often render it as 'languish,' 'waste away,' 'be diminished,' or 'be brought low'; some renderings as 'be oppressed' reflect later interpretive traditions rather than the core sense of slackness or reduction. The verb is sometimes used reflexively or passively, showing the subject undergoing reduction or becoming minor. Usage is concentrated in poetic literature, including Psalms, Proverbs, and prophetic texts, where the metaphorical use of 'being brought low' carries theological implications of humility or judgment, but the term itself is not inherently theological. In comparison with related roots, דָּלַל tends to imply a process or state of reduction rather than a fixed state of poverty or weakness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root (compare דָּלָה); to slacken or be feeble; figuratively, to be oppressed; bring low, dry up, be emptied, be not equal, fail, be impoverished, be made thin.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

דלל (d-l-l) — hang down, become low, be diminished, grow weak

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1800 דַּל lowly one
H1807 דְּלִילָה Delilah
H1817 דֶּלֶת lowly one

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1809-05 דַּלּ֤וּ dalu HVqp3cp fail they became diminished 2
H1809-04 דַּ֝לּוֹתִ֗י daloti HVqp1cs I am brought very low I have grown low 2
H1809-01 דָּלֲל֥וּ dalalu HVqp3cp will dwindle they became diminished 1
H1809-07 יִדַּ֖ל yidal HVqi3ms will be brought low he will grow weak 1
H1809-03 דַלּ֣וֹנוּ dalonu HVqp1cp we are brought low we have grown weak 1
H1809-06 וַ/יִּדַּ֧ל vayidal HC/Vqw3ms and was brought low and he became diminished 1
H1809-02 דַּלְי֣וּ daleyu HVqp3cp hang limp they became diminished 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1809-06 Judges 6:6 וַ/יִּדַּ֧ל vayidal HC/Vqw3ms and was brought low and he became diminished
H1809-07 Isaiah 17:4 יִדַּ֖ל yidal HVqi3ms will be brought low he will grow weak
H1809-01 Isaiah 19:6 דָּלֲל֥וּ dalalu HVqp3cp will dwindle they became diminished
H1809-05 Isaiah 38:14 דַּלּ֤וּ dalu HVqp3cp fail they became diminished
H1809-03 Psalms 79:8 דַלּ֣וֹנוּ dalonu HVqp1cp we are brought low we have grown weak
H1809-04 Psalms 116:6 דַּ֝לּוֹתִ֗י daloti HVqp1cs I was brought low I have grown low
H1809-04 Psalms 142:7 דַלּ֪וֹתִ֫י daloti HVqp1cs I am brought very low I have grown low
H1809-02 Proverbs 26:7 דַּלְי֣וּ daleyu HVqp3cp hang limp they became diminished
H1809-05 Job 28:4 דַּ֖לּוּ dalu HVqp3cp they hang they became diminished
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