דְּרָאוֹן

𐤃𐤓𐤀𐤅𐤍

dᵉrâʼôwn

H1860 noun

SILEX Entry

Root דרא to repulse, to abhor, to turn away

Definition

A state or condition of abhorrence or repulsion; a strong sense of loathing or detestable disfavor. Used in biblical Hebrew primarily to describe an intense, enduring aversion or contempt held by others toward a person, often in the context of divine judgment or eschatological punishment. The term conveys not only personal shame but being viewed with repugnance by others, notably in contexts referring to public disgrace or lasting ignominy.

Semantic Range

state of being abhorred, object of repulsion, public contempt, enduring disgrace, everlasting loathing

Root / Etymology

The word דְּרָאוֹן (dᵉrâʼôwn) is thought to derive from an unused root meaning 'to repulse' or 'be repulsed'. The precise verbal basis is not attested elsewhere in biblical Hebrew, so the root relationship remains uncertain and is reconstructed based on pattern and context. The nominal form implies a result or state ('-ōn' suffix often denotes a state or result), so 'state of abhorrence/repulsion' is suggested. Some link it as a denominative abstract noun from a root דרא (uncertain).

Historical & Contextual Notes

דְּרָאוֹן occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, appearing most clearly in Daniel 12:2 and Isaiah 66:24 to denote a state of perpetual abhorrence or public contempt, particularly as a consequence of divine judgment—typically relating to the ultimate disgrace of the wicked after death. The term is distinct from other Hebrew words indicating shame (e.g., חֶרְפָּה), emphasizing not only the experience of disgrace but its external, public dimension as an object of loathing. In later translation traditions, especially in Hellenistic and Christian contexts, 'derâʼôwn' came to be associated with eschatological punishment ('shame and everlasting contempt'); however, the primary nuance in biblical Hebrew is the condition of being an abomination or object of repugnance. English translations often render it as 'contempt', 'abhorrence', or 'loathe'; however, these may not fully capture the word's implication of lasting infamy or enduring communal repulsion. The term’s limited usage restricts our understanding of its full range, but in its occurrences it represents an intensified, ultimate state of disgrace, rather than a passing emotion or internal sense of shame. It does not refer to an action but to a condition or reputation before others.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or דֵּרָאוֹן; from an unused root (meaning to repulse); an object of aversion; abhorring, contempt.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

דרא (d-r-ʾ) — to repulse, to abhor, to turn away

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1860-01 דֵרָא֖וֹן deraon HNcmsa abhorring state of abhorrence 1
H1860-02 לְ/דִרְא֥וֹן ledireon HR/Ncmsc and to contempt to abhorrent disgrace 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1860-01 Isaiah 66:24 דֵרָא֖וֹן deraon HNcmsa abhorring state of abhorrence
H1860-02 Daniel 12:2 לְ/דִרְא֥וֹן ledireon HR/Ncmsc and to contempt to abhorrent disgrace