What does דָּלַל (dālal) mean in the Bible?
דָּלַל (dālal): Weakness flowing from depletion: literal thinning or drying transitions to social powerlessness and oppression.
Hebrew · H1809
דָּלַל
To slacken or be feeble ; figuratively, to be oppressed
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
דָּלַלH1809
Pronunciationdālal
What does דָּלַל (dālal) mean in the Bible?
דָּלַל (dālal): Weakness flowing from depletion: literal thinning or drying transitions to social powerlessness and oppression.
Full entry for דָּלַל (H1809) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H1809?
The BSB source-word alignment has 9 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include grow weak (1), hanging limp (1), he dangles (1), I am brought (1), I was helpless (1).
Where does דָּלַל (dālal) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Judges 6:6. Its strongest book concentrations include Isaiah (3), Psalms (3), Job (1), Judges (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itgrow weak1×Isaiah 38:14
hanging limp1×Proverbs 26:7
he dangles1×Job 28:4
I am brought1×Psalms 142:6
I was helpless1×Psalms 116:6
impoverished1×Judges 6:6
we are brought1×Psalms 79:8
will fade1×Isaiah 17:4
will trickle1×Isaiah 19:6
Show sample aligned rows
Judges 6:6וַיִּדַּ֧לtoimpoverishedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularJob 28:4דַּ֖לּוּtohe danglesVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralPsalms 79:8דַלּ֣וֹנוּtowe are broughtVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common pluralPsalms 116:6דַּ֝לּוֹתִ֗יtoI was helplessVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularPsalms 142:6דַלּ֪וֹתִ֫יtoI am broughtVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularProverbs 26:7דַּלְי֣וּtohanging limpVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralIsaiah 17:4יִדַּ֖לtowill fadeVerb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularIsaiah 19:6דָּלֲל֥וּtowill trickleVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralIsaiah 38:14דַּלּ֤וּtogrow weakVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowJudges 6:6
Aligned rows9
Books represented5
Judges1Job1Psalms3Proverbs1Isaiah3
Source forms
דַּ֖לּוּ1xdal·lūJob 28:4
דַּלּ֤וּ1xdal·lūIsaiah 38:14
דַלּ֣וֹנוּ1xḏal·lō·w·nūPsalms 79:8
דַלּ֪וֹתִ֫י1xḏal·lō·w·ṯîPsalms 142:6
דַּ֝לּוֹתִ֗י1xdal·lō·w·ṯîPsalms 116:6
דַּלְי֣וּ1xdal·yūProverbs 26:7
דָּלֲל֥וּ1xdā·lă·lūIsaiah 19:6
וַיִּדַּ֧ל1xway·yid·dalJudges 6:6
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural4xJob 28:4, Proverbs 26:7, Isaiah 19:6, Isaiah 38:14
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular2xPsalms 116:6, Psalms 142:6
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular1xJudges 6:6
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xIsaiah 17:4
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural1xPsalms 79:8
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Weakness flowing from depletion: literal thinning or drying transitions to social powerlessness and oppression.
Source Gloss
to slacken or be feeble ; figuratively, to be oppressed
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Weakness flowing from depletion: literal thinning or drying transitions to social powerlessness and oppression.
to slacken or be feeble; figuratively, to be oppressed BDB: hang Usage: bring low, dry up, be emptied, be not equal, fail, be impoverished, be made thin.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups1Aligned forms8
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense8×
PerfectIsa 19:6 · Isa 38:14 · Job 28:4 · Prov 26:7 · Ps 116:6 · Ps 142:7 · Ps 79:87×
ImperfectIsa 17:41×
Word Origins
דָּלַל is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.