Hebrew · H1875, G2212 · unreviewed

דָּרַשׁ

Properly, to tread or frequent ; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask ; specifically to worship · to seek

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

דָּרַשׁ H1875 properly, to tread or frequent ; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask ; specifically to worship
Pronunciation darash
Seeking God through inquiry or worship; also pursuing someone for judgment or reckoning.
Open lexicon entry →
ζητέω G2212 to seek
Pronunciation zētéō
To seek actively and intentionally, often implying desire, striving, or demanding rather than passive searching.
Open lexicon entry →

What does דָּרַשׁ (darash) mean in the Bible?

דָּרַשׁ · ζητέω is a Hebrew word meaning "to seek, pursue, or diligently search".

Full entry for דָּרַשׁ (H1875, G2212) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to seek, pursue, or diligently search
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 73×
Perfect 1Chr 10:14 · 2Chr 16:12 · 2Chr 17:3 · 2Chr 17:4 · 2Chr 22:9 · Lev 10:16 · 2Chr 25:20 · Ezek 34:8 · Isa 9:12 · Isa 31:1 · Jer 10:21 · Ps 119:155 · Ps 34:5 · Ps 77:3 · Ps 119:45 · Ps 119:94 21×
Imperfect Deut 18:19 · Ezek 20:40 · Ezek 33:6 · Gen 9:5 · Job 5:8 · Deut 12:30 · Deut 23:7 · Job 10:6 · Ps 10:13 · Ps 10:15 · 2Chr 15:13 · Isa 8:19 · Job 39:8 · Ps 10:4 · Deut 12:5 · Ezra 9:12 20×
Sequential imperfect 1Chr 16:11 · 2Chr 34:21 · 2Kgs 1:2 · 2Kgs 22:13 · Amos 5:6 · Amos 5:14 · Isa 1:17 · Isa 8:19 · Isa 34:16 · Isa 55:6 · Ps 105:4 · 1Kgs 22:5 · 2Chr 18:4 · Jer 21:2 14×
Participle active 1Chr 28:9 · Deut 11:12 · Esth 10:3 · Ezek 34:6 · Jer 30:17 · Jer 38:4 · Mic 6:8 · Ps 9:13 · Ps 14:2 · Ps 53:3 · Ps 69:33 · Ps 142:5 12×
Infinitive absolute Deut 23:22 · Lev 10:16
Participle passive Isa 62:12 · Ps 111:2
Jussive Amos 5:5
Infinitive construct Deut 22:2
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action
Imperfect Ezek 14:3 · Ezek 20:3 · Ezek 20:31 · Ezek 36:37
Perfect 1Chr 26:31 · Isa 65:1
Participle active Gen 42:22
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 81 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Imperfect 26 Perfect 23 Imperative 14 Participle 13 Infinitive absolute 2 Participle passive 2 Infinitive construct 1
Stem
Qal 73 Niphal 8
Mood
Indicative 23 Imperative 14 Indicative/jussive 13 Indicative/cohortative 12 Jussive 1
OT Occurrences
Gen 9:5 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Gen 9:5 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Gen 42:22 Niphal · Participle Lev 10:16 Qal · Infinitive absolute Lev 10:16 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Deut 11:12 Qal · Participle Deut 12:5 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Deut 12:30 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Deut 18:19 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Deut 22:2 Qal · Infinitive construct Deut 23:7 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Deut 23:22 Qal · Infinitive absolute 1 Kgs 22:5 Qal · Imperative · Imperative 2 Kgs 1:2 Qal · Imperative · Imperative 2 Kgs 22:13 Qal · Imperative · Imperative 1 Chr 10:14 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 1 Chr 16:11 Qal · Imperative · Imperative 1 Chr 26:31 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 1 Chr 28:9 Qal · Participle 2 Chr 14:6 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 14:6 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 15:13 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive 2 Chr 16:12 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 17:3 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 17:4 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 18:4 Qal · Imperative · Imperative 2 Chr 22:9 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 24:6 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 25:15 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 25:20 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 34:21 Qal · Imperative · Imperative Ezra 4:2 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Ezra 9:12 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Esth 10:3 Qal · Participle Job 5:8 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Job 10:6 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Job 39:8 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Ps 9:13 Qal · Participle Ps 10:4 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Ps 10:13 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive +41 more occurrences

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)
Sources