דִּי זָהָב
𐤃𐤉 𐤆𐤄𐤁
Di Zahav
H1774 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Dîy zâhâb is a toponymic phrase meaning 'enough of gold' or 'abundance of gold,' most likely designating a geographic location characterized by gold or renowned for its gold resources. The phrase is used specifically as a place name, whose lexical components denote association with gold, either indicating actual gold deposits or metaphorically suggesting wealth or abundance.
Semantic Range
a place characterized by gold, abundance of gold, the name 'Dizahab', possibly metaphorical for wealth or notable resources
Root / Etymology
Compound of דִּי (dîy), an Aramaic/Hebraized preposition or particle meaning 'enough, sufficient, abundance,' and זָהָב (zahāv), 'gold.' While זָהָב is indigenous Hebrew and widespread, דִּי occurs most frequently in later Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic contexts, often used in the sense of 'that' or 'which' (as a relative pronoun in Aramaic), but in combination here likely means 'enough of' or 'abundance of.' The phrase as a whole serves as a locative designation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Dîy zâhâb appears only once in the Hebrew Bible (Deuteronomy 1:1) as a part of a geographical survey marking Israelite encampments in the wilderness before entering Canaan. Its precise location is uncertain, though contextual association with other wilderness places implies a site east or southeast of Canaan—traditionally situated in the Sinai or northwestern Arabia. The meaning 'abundance of gold' suggests either a genuine mining area, a landmark known for wealth, or is possibly used metaphorically. Later translation traditions (such as the Septuagint) transliterate the name rather than translate or interpret it, indicating that its exact significance may have already been obscure by post-exilic times. The use of דִּי in this context is rare in early Israelite Hebrew and likely reflects influence from neighboring Semitic languages, suggesting a contact or border region. English translations typically retain the transliterated form 'Dizahab,' which does not communicate the underlying descriptive sense; thus, most modern readers miss the resonance of abundance or wealth implied in Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
as if from דִּי and זָהָב; of gold; Dizahab, a place in the Desert; Dizahab.
Bantu Hebrew
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די זהב (d-y z-h-b) — sufficiency, abundance; gold
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1774-02 |
זָהָֽב | zahav | HNp |
zahab | gold | 1 |
H1774-01 |
וְ/דִ֥י | vedi | HC/Np |
and Di | and Abundance-of-Gold | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1774-01 |
Deuteronomy 1:1 | וְ/דִ֥י | vedi | HC/Np |
and Di | and Abundance-of-Gold |
H1774-02 |
Deuteronomy 1:1 | זָהָֽב | zahav | HNp |
zahab | gold |