Lexical Summary
dabaq: To cling, cleave, adhere, stick, join
Original Word:דָּבַק
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:dabaq
Pronunciation:dah-BAHK
Phonetic Spelling:(daw-bak')
KJV: abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take
NASB:cling, overtook, cleaves, clung, clings, hold, hold fast
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. (properly) to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere
2. (figuratively) to catch by pursuit
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
abide fast, cleave fast together, follow close hard after, be joined together
A primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. Cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit -- abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto cling, cleave, keep close
NASB Translationcleaves (4), cling (14), clings (3), closely pursued (1), closer (1), clung (4), deeply attracted (1), fasten its grip (1), follow closely (1), held fast (1), hold (2), hold fast (2), holding fast (1), joined (2), joined together (1), overtake (1), overtook (5), pursued him closely (1), pursued them closely (1), remained steadfast (1), stay (1), stay close (1), stayed close (1), stick (1), stick together (1), stuck (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, (Late Hebrew
id., Arabic
Aramaic ,
,
) —
Perfect1 Kings 11:2 2t.; consecutiveGenesis 2:24;2 Kings 3:3; 3feminine singularRuth 1:14 5t.;Job 29:10; 1singularPsalm 119:31; 3plural2 Samuel 20:2; consecutiveDeuteronomy 28:60;Job 41:15; consecutiveJoshua 23:12;ImperfectDeuteronomy 13:18 3t.; 3 feminine singular2 Kings 5:27;Psalm 137:6;Genesis 34:3 2t.; suffixGenesis 19:19; 2masculine singularDeuteronomy 10:20;Ezekiel 29:4 (strike out B Co); 2 feminine singularRuth 2:8,21; 3pluralNumbers 36:7,9; 2masculine pluralJoshua 23:8;Deuteronomy 13:5;Infinitive constructDeuteronomy 11:22 2t.; — in Hexateuch only J D, exceptNumbers 36:7,9 (P); —
cling, cleave to,
literally followed byJob 19:20 (bone to skin), so followed byPsalm 102:6; followed by2 Samuel 23:10 (hand to sword; accidentally omitted with other words1 Chronicles 11:13 compare Dr2 Samuel 23:11),Jeremiah 13:11 (girdle to loins),Lamentations 4:4 (tongue to roof of mouth, in thirst), so followed byJob 29:10;Psalm 137:6 (as a judgment); so also in metaphorPsalm 44:26our belly cleaveth to the earth ("" ),Psalm 119:25 ; fish to scales of crocodile (figurative of Pharaoh), followed byEzekiel 29:4 (but compare above); absolute (reciprocal) of folds of crocodile's bellyJob 41:15; further of the remaining in (sticking to) the hand followed byDeuteronomy 13:18; so of spot, stainJob 31:7;
Numbers 36:7,9 (followed by ).
=remain with, close to followed byRuth 2:8,21 followed byRuth 2:23.
cling, cleave to,
figurative of loyalty, affection etc., sometimes with idea of physical proximity retained, followed byGenesis 2:24 (J; man to wife) compareGenesis 34:3 (J)1 Kings 11:2;Joshua 23:12 (D); furtherRuth 1:14 (Ruth to Naomi);2 Samuel 20:2 (people to king); especially (followed by ) of cleaving toDeuteronomy 11:22 ("" , )Deuteronomy 30:20 ("" , ),Joshua 22:5 ("" , , ); compare furtherDeuteronomy 10:20;Deuteronomy 13:5;Joshua 23:8 (all D),2 Kings 18:6;Psalm 63:9 (followed by ) &Psalm 119:31 ; so
2 Kings 3:37,
subject disease, calamity, followed by personDeuteronomy 28:60;2 Kings 5:27; followed byJeremiah 42:16; followed by accusativeGenesis 19:19 (J); subject sinPsalm 101:3 (followed by person)
Imperfect3masculine plural passive of Hiph`il
followed by , of crocodile's scales,they are joined togetherJob 41:9 ("" ); absolute of earth-clodsJob 38:38.
Perfect3feminine singular suffixJudges 20:42; 3plural suffix2 Samuel 1:6; 1singularJeremiah 13:11;Ezekiel 29:4;Imperfect jussiveDeuteronomy 28:21;Genesis 31:23;Ezekiel 3:26;Judges 18:22;Judges 20:45;1 Samuel 14:22 2t. (compare Ges§ 53 R 4 Köi. 210).
cause to cling orcleave to, followed by accusative + , literallyEzekiel 3:26; see alsoEzekiel 29:4 (followed by accusative + ; literal, but in metaphor); figurative of causing to cleave toJeremiah 13:11 (followed by accusative + ); compare furtherDeuteronomy 28:21 (subject , followed by accusative of disease + ).
pursue closely, followed byJudges 20:45;1 Samuel 14:22;1 Chronicles 10:2 =1 Samuel 31:2 (followed by accusative); so also2 Samuel 1:6 (followed by accusative)
overtake, followed by accusativeGenesis 31:23 (E),Judges 18:22; compareJudges 20:42 (subject ).
ParticiplePsalm 22:16and my tongue is made to cleave (to) my gums; compare below
[] (Biblical Hebrew); —
Participle pluralDaniel 2:43.
Topical Lexicon
Central Ideaדָּבַק portrays an intentional fastening of one object or person to another. Scripture uses the verb on every level of human experience—physical, relational, spiritual, and covenantal—so that “clinging” becomes both a literal description and a theological summons.
Covenant Allegiance to the LORD
From Moses to the prophets, Israel is commanded to “cling” to the LORD as the decisive act of faithfulness.
•Deuteronomy 4:4: “But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive to this day, every one of you.”
•Deuteronomy 10:20; 11:22; 13:4; 30:20;Joshua 23:8 all repeat the charge, grounding Israel’s life, land, and longevity in unswerving attachment to Yahweh.
The verb communicates more than obedience; it is the covenantal glue that binds the redeemed community to its Redeemer, anticipating New-Covenant “abiding” (John 15) without diminishing Old-Covenant particularity.
Marriage and Family Bonds
Genesis 2:24 supplies the foundational text for marriage: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” The physical union is inseparable from lifelong covenant loyalty. Positive and negative examples follow:
•Ruth 1:14—Ruth “clung” to Naomi, modeling steadfast love that ultimately leads to the Davidic line.
•Genesis 34:3—Shechem’s sinful passion “clung” to Dinah, illustrating that mere attachment without covenant order defiles rather than blesses.
•1 Kings 11:2—Solomon “held fast” in love to foreign wives, and the verb exposes his divided heart.
Personal Loyalty and Friendship
דָּבַק marks unswerving commitment between comrades.
•2 Samuel 23:10—Eleazar’s hand “clung to the sword” in battle, picturing tireless devotion.
•2 Samuel 20:2—“All the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba…,” their hearts “clinging” (in misplaced allegiance) to rebellion.
The term therefore probes the direction of loyalty—whether to the rightful king or to a usurper.
Relentless Military Pursuit
The verb often describes armies “overtaking” or “pressing hard” on an enemy (Joshua 8:6;1 Samuel 14:22;1 Chronicles 10:2). In warfare imagery it stresses persistence until the objective is reached, reinforcing the steadfastness expected in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Physical Frailty and Lament
דָּבַק also depicts organs or skin “sticking” in illness or hunger.
•Job 19:20: “My bones cling to my skin and flesh.”
•Psalm 22:15: “My tongue clings to the roof of my mouth.”
•Psalm 119:25: “My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word.”
These laments show that even in extremity the sufferer can cling to the promises of God.
Symbol of Discipline and Judgment
Curses inDeuteronomy 28 warn of plagues that will “cling” to the covenant-breaker (verses 21 and 60). The same verb that secures blessing when directed toward God becomes the vehicle of judgment when applied to disease, underscoring the moral polarity of Scripture.
Prophetic Illustrations
Jeremiah 13:11 dramatizes the point with the ruined linen belt: “As a belt clings to a man’s waist, so I have bound the whole house of Israel… to Me, declares the LORD.” The intended intimacy remains, but human rebellion soils the union, requiring eventual restoration through the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
Theological Trajectory
1. Creation Ideal →Genesis 2:24 establishes דָּבַק as the template for covenant union.
2. Sinai Covenant → Israel is to cling exclusively to Yahweh.
3. Prophetic Critique → Failure to cling invites exile and judgment.
4. Messianic Fulfillment → The incarnate Son perfectly “held fast” to the Father’s will (John 8:29), offering believers the Spirit-enabled power to do likewise.
5. Eschatological Consummation →Revelation 19 depicts the marriage supper of the Lamb, where the Bride’s perfected attachment to Christ fulfills the original pattern.
Ministry Implications
• Discipleship: Emphasize a whole-person adherence to Christ, not merely intellectual assent.
• Marriage Counseling: Ground marital permanence in the creational mandate to “cling,” framing divorce as covenant rupture.
• Pastoral Care: Encourage sufferers with lament passages that model clinging to God amid affliction.
• Corporate Worship: Reinforce corporate identity by singing and praying texts that call the congregation to “hold fast” (Hebrews 10:23).
Summary
דָּבַק weaves through Scripture as the verb of covenant glue—binding spouses, friends, armies, nations, and ultimately the redeemed Church to its Lord. Whether expressing blessed fidelity or disastrous entanglement, its 54 appearances insist that true life is found only when the heart “clings to the LORD your God” (Joshua 23:8).
Forms and Transliterations
אַדְבִּ֣יק אדביק דָּ֣בַק דָּ֥בְקָה דָּֽבְקָ֣ה דָּבְק֣וּ דָּבְקָ֖ה דָּבְקָ֣ה דָּבְקָ֥ה דָּבֵ֑ק דָּבֵֽקָה׃ דָּבַ֥ק דָּבַ֥קְתִּי דָּבַ֨ק דָבֵ֑קוּ דבק דבקה דבקה׃ דבקו דבקתי הִדְבִּיקָ֑תְהוּ הִדְבִּקֻֽהוּ׃ הִדְבַּ֣קְתִּי הדביקתהו הדבקהו׃ הדבקתי וְדָבְק֖וּ וְדָבַ֣ק וְהִדְבַּקְתִּ֥י וַֽיַּדְבְּק֥וּ וַיִּדְבַּק֙ וַיַּדְבְּק֣וּ וַיַּדְבִּ֖יקוּ וַיַּדְבִּ֤יקוּ וַיַּדְבֵּ֥ק וַתִּדְבַּ֞ק וַתִּדְבַּ֣ק וַתִּדְבַּ֤ק וּדְבַקְתֶּם֙ וּלְדָבְקָה־ ודבק ודבקו ודבקתם והדבקתי וידביקו וידבק וידבקו ולדבקה־ ותדבק יְדֻבָּ֑קוּ יְדֻבָּֽקוּ׃ יִדְבְּק֕וּ יִדְבְּק֖וּ יִדְבַּ֣ק יִדְבַּ֧ק יִדְבַּ֨ק יַדְבֵּ֧ק ידבק ידבקו ידבקו׃ מֻדְבָּ֣ק מדבק תִּֽדְבַּק־ תִּדְבַּ֥ק־ תִּדְבָּ֑קוּ תִּדְבָּֽק׃ תִּדְבָּקִ֔ין תִּדְבָּקַ֥נִי תִדְבָּ֔ק תִדְבָּקִ֖ין תִדְבָּקֽוּן׃ תדבק תדבק־ תדבק׃ תדבקו תדבקון׃ תדבקין תדבקני ’aḏ·bîq ’aḏbîq adBik dā·ḇaq dā·ḇaq·tî dā·ḇê·qāh dā·ḇə·qāh dā·ḇə·qū ḏā·ḇê·qū dā·ḇêq dāḇaq dāḇaqtî dāḇêq dāḇêqāh dāḇəqāh dāḇəqū ḏāḇêqū daVak daVakti daVek Davekah daveKu hiḏ·baq·tî hiḏ·bî·qā·ṯə·hū hiḏ·bi·qu·hū hidBakti hiḏbaqtî hidbiKatehu hidbiKuhu hiḏbîqāṯəhū hiḏbiquhū muḏ·bāq mudBak muḏbāq tiḏ·bā·qa·nî tiḏ·bā·qîn ṯiḏ·bā·qîn tiḏ·bā·qū ṯiḏ·bā·qūn tiḏ·bāq ṯiḏ·bāq tiḏ·baq- tidBak tidbaKani tidbaKin tidBaku tidbaKun tiḏbāq ṯiḏbāq tiḏbaq- tiḏbāqanî tiḏbāqîn ṯiḏbāqîn tiḏbāqū ṯiḏbāqūn ū·ḏə·ḇaq·tem ū·lə·ḏā·ḇə·qāh- ūḏəḇaqtem udevakTem ūləḏāḇəqāh- uledavekah vaiyadBek vaiyadbeKu vaiyadBiku vaiyidBak vattidBak vedaVak vedaveKu vehidbakTi wat·tiḏ·baq wattiḏbaq way·yaḏ·bə·qū way·yaḏ·bêq way·yaḏ·bî·qū way·yiḏ·baq wayyaḏbêq wayyaḏbəqū wayyaḏbîqū wayyiḏbaq wə·ḏā·ḇaq wə·ḏā·ḇə·qū wə·hiḏ·baq·tî wəḏāḇaq wəḏāḇəqū wəhiḏbaqtî yaḏ·bêq yadBek yaḏbêq yə·ḏub·bā·qū yedubBaku yəḏubbāqū yiḏ·baq yiḏ·bə·qū yidBak yiḏbaq yidbeKu yiḏbəqū
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
