Lexical Summary
darash: To seek, inquire, require, investigate, demand
Original Word:דָּרַשׁ
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:darash
Pronunciation:dah-RAHSH
Phonetic Spelling:(daw-rash')
KJV: ask, X at all, care for, X diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-)mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), X surely
NASB:seek, inquire, sought, require, search, inquired, cares
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. (properly) to tread or frequent
2. (usually) to follow (for pursuit or search)
3. (by implication) to seek or ask
4. (specifically) to worship
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
ask, at all, care for, diligently, inquire, make inquisition, question,
A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship -- ask, X at all, care for, X diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-)mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), X surely.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto resort to, seek
NASB Translationask (1), avenge (1), calls (1), care (1), cares (3), comes the reckoning (1), consult (2), consulted by them at all (1), demand (1), inquire (33), inquired (5), inquirer (1), investigate (3), investigated (1), looks (2), making inquiry (1), questioned (1), require (7), required (1), requires (1), resort (3), search (6), searched (1), searched carefully (1), searches (2), seek (53), seek after (1), seeking (2), seeks (3), sought (18), studied (1), study (1), surely require (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Ezra 10:16 see .
162 (compare Arabic
rub over, efface (a site),tread (wheat), figurativeread repeatedly, study;
beat (a path),discuss, Pa`elpractise in; Late Hebrewsearch out (a meaning),expound) —
Perfect1 Chronicles 10:14;ImperfectPsalm 10:4 +,1 Samuel 28:7,1 Kings 22:7 +,Isaiah 55:2;Imperative1 Kings 22:5 +;Infinitive absoluteLeviticus 10:16;Deuteronomy 23:22; constructDeuteronomy 22:2 +Ezekiel 14:7, (scribal error for Ew§ 239a Ol§ 245 g)Ezra 10:16;ParticipleDeuteronomy 11:12 10t.,1 Chronicles 28:9 3t.; passivePsalm 111:2,Isaiah 62:12; synonym ; —
(tread a place,)resort to, frequent, with religious object, with accusative of locationAmos 5:5; 2Chronicles 1:5, localDeuteronomy 12:5.
seek, consult, inquire of:
accusative ,Genesis 25:22 (J)Exodus 18:15 (E)1 Samuel 9:9;1 Kings 22:8;2 Kings 3:11;2 Kings 8:8;2 Kings 22:13,18;1 Chronicles 15:13;1 Chronicles 21:30; 2Chronicles 18:7; 34:21;Psalm 24:6;Psalm 78:34;Jeremiah 21:2;Jeremiah 37:7;Ezekiel 20:1,3;the ark of God1 Chronicles 13:3;word of Yahweh1 Kings 22:5 (= 2 Chronicles 18:4) compare1 Kings 14:5; with Yahweh1 Chronicles 10:14; 2Chronicles 34:26;Ezekiel 14:7; his word2 Kings 1:16; with ,Job 5:8; their GodIsaiah 8:19, Messianic kingIsaiah 11:10;out of the book ofIsaiah 34:16 (in gloss, according to CheJQ Jan. 1892, 332); with of a1 Kings 22:7 (= 2 Chronicles 18:6) compare (above)2 Chronicles 18:8;2 Kings 3:11 and1 Kings 14:5 ().
heathen gods andnecromancers,the inquirerEzekiel 14:10; with ,1 Samuel 28:7,1 Chronicles 10:13,2 Kings 1:2,3,6,16; with ,Isaiah 8:19,Deuteronomy 18:11,Isaiah 19:3.
seek deity in prayer and worship:
the true God (compare )Deuteronomy 4:29;Hosea 10:12;Amos 5:4,6;Isaiah 9:12;Isaiah 31:1;Isaiah 55:6;Isaiah 58:2;Isaiah 65:10;Jeremiah 10:21;Jeremiah 29:13;Zephaniah 1:6;Lamentations 3:25;1 Chronicles 16:11 (=Psalm 105:4)Psalm 28:9; 2Chronicles 12:14; 2 Chronicles 14:3; 2 Chronicles 14:6; 2 Chronicles 15:2,12; 16:12; 22:9; 26:5;Psalm 9:11;Psalm 22:27;Psalm 34:5;Psalm 34:11;Psalm 119:2;Psalm 119:10; 2Chronicles 19:3; 26:5; 30:19;Psalm 14:2 (=Psalm 53:3)Psalm 69:33;Psalm 77:3; with , only in Chronicler,1 Chronicles 22:19; 2Chronicles 15:13; 20:3;Ezra 6:21; 2Chronicles 17:4; 31:21; 34:3;Ezra 4:2; DrIntr. 503 finds in Chronicles weakened meaning,revere.
seek heathen deities, with accusativeJeremiah 8:2; 2Chronicles 25:15,20; with ,Deuteronomy 12:30; 2Chronicles 17:3.
seek, with idea of demanding,require ( isseek, simply), with accusative lost sheepDeuteronomy 22:2;Ezekiel 34:6,8,11; goatLeviticus 10:16 (twice in verse) (P); with , after green fodderJob 39:8.
inquire, investigate (a matter), absoluteJudges 6:29;Deuteronomy 13:15;Deuteronomy 17:4,9;Deuteronomy 19:18; with accusativeall hearts Yahweh searches1 Chronicles 28:9;to inquire into the wonder2Chronicles 32:31; with ,to inquire about2 Samuel 11:3;Job 10:6; followed by person + infinitive 2 Chronicles 24:6apply to the Levites to bring, etc., compare 2 Chronicles 31:9 ( both person and thing).
ask for, require, demand, with accusative of thingEzekiel 20:40; + personDeuteronomy 23:22;Micah 6:8;exact, often with collateral idea ofavenging,Deuteronomy 18:19, so withEzekiel 34:10,Genesis 9:5 (P)Ezekiel 33:6; accusative only,Psalm 9:13,Psalm 10:15; absolutePsalm 10:4;Psalm 10:13; 2Chronicles 24:22.
seek with application, study, follow, practise, absolute by wisdomEcclesiastes 1:13; with accusativestudy orpractise justiceIsaiah 1:17;Isaiah 16:5;Psalm 111:2;Amos 5:14; commands of GodPsalm 119:45;Psalm 119:94;Psalm 119:155;1 Chronicles 28:8; the law Ear1 Chronicles 7:10;seek orstudy the peace, welfare of any oneDeuteronomy 23:7;Jeremiah 29:7;Ezra 9:12,Jeremiah 38:4,Esther 10:3,Proverbs 11:27;Psalm 38:13 (compare , where this use is more common).
seek with care, care for,land which Yahweh thy God careth forDeuteronomy 11:12;let not Eloah care for itJob 3:4;Jeremiah 30:14;Proverbs 31:13; withJeremiah 30:17;no one careth for mePsalm 142:5; but in both these perhaps belongs to , compare ""Psalm 142:5, alsoLamentations 4:4 etc.;cared for (of Jerusalem)Isaiah 62:12.
PerfectGenesis 42:22,Isaiah 65:1,1 Chronicles 26:31;ImperfectEzekiel 14:3;Ezekiel 20:3,31,31;Ezekiel 36:37;Infinitive absoluteEzekiel 14:3 (for ); —
let oneself be inquired of, consulted, only of GodEzekiel 14:3 (twice in verse);Ezekiel 20:3,31,31;Ezekiel 36:37;Isaiah 65:1.
be sought out1 Chronicles 26:31.
be required, of blood (compare )Genesis 42:22 (E).
—and beg out of their desolate placesPsalm 109:10 (Ki and otherswed©ršu, see Baer); many MSS. read , so most interpretations; Hup Bi Che readbe driven from.
Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range and Narrative TextureStrong’s Hebrew 1875, דָּרַשׁ, threads the Old Testament with the idea of “seeking” in its richest sense—intent, inquiry, investigation, dependence, worship, even judicial pursuit. The verb can be cognitive (“to inquire”), volitional (“to seek earnestly”), or forensic (“to require an account”). Each nuance reinforces that the God of Israel is personal, knowable, and willing to be found while also being the One who calls every deed to account.
Seeking the LORD
At the heart of Israel’s faith stands the summons to “seek the LORD” (darash YHWH). This is covenant language, connoting relational devotion rather than mere information gathering. Moses promises that exile will not be the end if the nation turns and “seek[s] the LORD” (Deuteronomy 4:29). David makes the path intensely personal: “The humble will hear and rejoice. Magnify the LORD with me… I sought the LORD, and He answered me” (Psalm 34:3-4). In the Chronicler’s history, national reform is measured by kings who “set their hearts to seek God” (2 Chronicles 11:16;2 Chronicles 15:12-15) and by those who perversely “did not seek the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:14;2 Chronicles 16:12). The pattern culminates in the future hope ofZechariah 8:21 where nations will urge one another, “Let us go at once to seek the LORD of Hosts.”
Inquiry at the Sanctuary
The tabernacle and later the temple served as authorized venues for darash. Priests “sought” judgments from the Urim and Thummim (Deuteronomy 33:8-10). InMalachi 2:7 the priest is the one “people seek instruction from,” highlighting darash as expository service. The process of “inquiring of the LORD” before battle (Judges 20:27;1 Samuel 23:2-4) models dependence rather than presumption. Conversely, Saul’s tragic arc is summarized: “He did not seek guidance from the LORD; therefore the LORD put him to death” (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).
Prophetic Research and Intercession
Prophets deploy darash both retrospectively and prospectively. They “seek out” covenant violations (Ezekiel 34:6-10) and “search” future salvation (1 Peter 1:10 cites their spirit-led inquiry, echoing darash’s investigative force). Daniel “understood from the Scriptures” and then “turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition” (Daniel 9:2-3); study and supplication interlock.
Judicial and Social Accountability
Darash also marks legal obligation. Bloodguilt must be “required” by thorough investigation (Deuteronomy 19:18-19;2 Samuel 4:11). The righteous judge is “a God who searches hearts and minds” (Psalm 7:9), assuring the oppressed that injustice will not be overlooked. When Ezekiel denounces shepherds who exploit the flock, the Lord vows, “I will seek My sheep” (Ezekiel 34:11-16), pairing compassionate pursuit with judicial scrutiny.
Consequences of Seeking or Neglect
The chronicled kings provide a theology of cause and effect:
• Asa: “The land is still yours, for we have sought the LORD” (2 Chronicles 14:7).
• Uzziah: “As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success” (2 Chronicles 26:5).
• Ahaziah: “He died… because he had sought help from Baal-zebub” (2 Kings 1:16).
Blessing flows where darash is directed to the LORD; judgment falls where it is redirected to idols or ignored altogether (Amos 5:4-6).
Corporate Worship and Liturgical Memory
Psalms employs darash to guide liturgy: “Seek His presence continually” (Psalm 105:4). The imperative energizes communal song, pilgrim feast, and personal lament.Psalm 119:10 intertwines Torah and pursuit: “With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.” Scripture, prayer, and obedience converge.
Wisdom and Discipleship
In Proverbs, “those who seek Me early will find Me” (Proverbs 8:17) underlines that wisdom is available to disciplined hearts. Conversely, lazy or superficial inquiry leads to folly (Proverbs 1:28-29). Darash thus frames discipleship as sustained, diligent investigation of God’s revelation.
Messianic Trajectory
Isaiah foretells a righteous King who will “seek justice” and “decide with equity for the meek” (Isaiah 11:3-4). This anticipates Jesus Christ, who declares, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10), translating darash’s Old Testament theology into incarnate action.
Continuation into New Covenant Ministry
Early believers embody darash inActs 17:11 by “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were so,” illustrating that the New Testament community remains a seeking community. Pastors, teachers, and missionaries today are called to emulate Ezra, who “set his heart to study, practice, and teach the Law” (Ezra 7:10), fusing scholarship, obedience, and proclamation.
Practical Implications for the Local Church
1. Expository preaching answers the congregation’s implicit darash by opening the Word so that hearers “understand the meaning” (Nehemiah 8:8).
2. Intercessory prayer sessions mirror the throne-room inquiries of prophets and kings, expecting real guidance.
3. Church discipline must “investigate carefully” (Deuteronomy 19:18) to protect holiness and justice.
4. Evangelism invites unbelievers to “seek the LORD while He may be found” (Isaiah 55:6), assuring that sincere pursuit will meet gracious revelation in Christ.
Eschatological Assurance
The final vision promises that every hidden work will be exposed (Ecclesiastes 12:14). The Judge who “searcheth” (darash) guarantees consummate justice and consummate fellowship: “They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them” (Revelation 21:3), the ultimate fulfillment of every true quest.
Key Occurrence Clusters for Further Study
Genesis 25:22;Deuteronomy 4:29-30;2 Samuel 21:1;1 Kings 22:5-7;2 Chronicles 15:12-13;Ezra 6:21;Nehemiah 8:9-13;Psalm 9:10;Psalm 24:6;Psalm 27:4;Proverbs 28:5;Isaiah 55:6;Jeremiah 29:13;Hosea 3:5;Zephaniah 2:3;Zechariah 8:21–22.
These texts collectively display the breadth of דָּרַשׁ—divine invitation, human responsibility, and the gracious promise that those who seek Him will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
Forms and Transliterations
אִדָּרֵ֖שׁ אִדָּרֵ֣שׁ אִדָּרֵ֥שׁ אֶדְר֣וֹשׁ אֶדְרְשֶׁ֑נּוּ אֶדְרֹ֔שׁ אֶדְרֹ֖שׁ אֶדְרֹ֣שׁ אֶדְרֹ֥שׁ אֶדְרֹֽשׁ׃ אדרוש אדרש אדרש׃ אדרשנו דְּ֝רוּשִׁ֗ים דְּרָשֽׁוּנִי׃ דְּרָשׁ֔וּם דְּרָשׁ־ דְּרֹ֤שׁ דְרַשְׁנֻ֖הוּ דְרַשְׁתִּ֑יךָ דְרָשֻֽׁהוּ׃ דְרוּשָׁ֔ה דִּרְשׁ֖וּנִי דִּרְשׁ֣וּ דִּרְשׁ֤וּ דִּרְשׁ֥וּ דִּרְשׁ֨וּ דִּרְשׁוּ־ דִרְשׁ֗וּ דִרְשׁ֨וּ דָּ֫רָ֥שְׁתִּי דָּ֭רְשָׁה דָּרְשׁ֣וֹ דָּרַ֕שְׁנוּ דָּרַ֛שׁ דָּרַ֣שְׁתִּי דָּרַ֥שׁ דָּרָ֔שׁ דָּרֹ֥שׁ דָּרֹ֨שׁ דָֽרְשׁ֔וּ דָרְשׁ֥וּ דָרַ֖שׁ דָרַ֙שְׁנוּ֙ דָרַ֙שְׁתָּ֙ דָרַ֣שְׁתָּ דָרַ֣שׁ דָרַ֥שׁ דָרָ֑שׁוּ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃ דָרָֽשׁוּ׃ דֹּ֝רֵ֗שׁ דֹּ֝רֵשׁ דֹּ֣רְשָׁ֑יו דֹּרְשֵׁ֥י דֹּרֵ֖שׁ דֹּרֵ֣שׁ דֹּרֵ֥שׁ דֹרְשֶׁ֣יךָ דֹרֵ֣שׁ דֹרֵ֧שׁ דֹּרְשָׁ֑יו דּוֹרֵ֖שׁ דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ דורש דרושה דרושים דרש דרש־ דרשה דרשהו׃ דרשו דרשו־ דרשו׃ דרשום דרשוני דרשוני׃ דרשי דרשיו דרשיך דרשנהו דרשנו דרשת דרשתי דרשתי׃ דרשתיך הֲלִדְרֹ֥שׁ הַאִדָּרֹ֥שׁ הַדֹּרֵ֔שׁ האדרש הדרש הלדרש וְ֝דָרְשׁ֗וּ וְֽדָרַשְׁתִּ֧י וְאֶדְרְשָׁה־ וְדִרְשׁ֔וּ וְדִרְשׁ֞וּ וְדָרְשׁ֤וּ וְדָרְשׁ֥וּ וְדָרַשְׁתִּ֥י וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֙ וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֣ וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֧ וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֨ וְדֹרְשֵׁ֣י וְדֹרְשֵׁ֥י וְדֹרֵ֖שׁ וְדֹרֵ֥שׁ וְיִדְרֹֽשׁ׃ וְנִדְרְשָׁ֖ה וְנִדְרְשָׁ֥ה וַֽיִּדְרְשׁוּ֙ וַיִּדְרְשֵׁ֥הוּ וַיִּדְרֹ֖שׁ וַיִּדְרֹ֣שׁ וּדְרָשׁ֑וּהוּ ואדרשה־ ודרש ודרשו ודרשוהו ודרשי ודרשת ודרשתי וידרש וידרש׃ וידרשהו וידרשו ונדרשה יִדְרְשֵׁ֣הוּ יִדְרְשֶׁ֜נּוּ יִדְרְשֽׁוּהוּ׃ יִדְרֹ֑שׁ יִדְרֹ֑שׁוּ יִדְרֹ֔שׁ יִדְרֹ֛שׁ יִדְרֹשׁ֔וּן יִדְרֽוֹשׁ׃ ידרוש׃ ידרש ידרשהו ידרשו ידרשוהו׃ ידרשון ידרשנו לְדַרְי֖וֹשׁ לְדָרְשֵׁ֑נִי לִדְר֕וֹשׁ לִדְר֖וֹשׁ לִדְר֛וֹשׁ לִדְר֣וֹשׁ לִדְר֤וֹשׁ לִדְרָשׁ־ לִדְרֹ֕שׁ לִדְרֹ֖שׁ לִדְרֹ֗שׁ לִדְרֹ֣שׁ לִדְרֹ֥שׁ לִדְרֹשׁ֩ לִדְרֹשׁ֮ לִדְרֽוֹשׁ׃ לִדְרוֹשׁ֩ לדרוש לדרוש׃ לדריוש לדרש לדרש־ לדרשני נִדְר֖וֹשׁ נִדְרַ֙שְׁתִּי֙ נִדְרָ֔שׁוּ נִדְרָֽשׁ׃ נדרוש נדרש׃ נדרשו נדרשתי תִּֽדְרוֹשׁ־ תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ׃ תִּדְרְשֶׁ֙נּוּ֙ תִּדְרְשֻׁ֙הוּ֙ תִּדְרְשׁוּ֙ תִּדְרֹ֨שׁ תִּדְרֹֽשׁ׃ תִדְרְשֶׁ֔נּוּ תִדְרְשֻׁ֖נִי תִדְרְשׁ֖וּ תִדְרְשׁ֧וּ תִדְרֹ֥שׁ תִדְרֽוֹשׁ׃ תדרוש־ תדרוש׃ תדרש תדרש׃ תדרשהו תדרשו תדרשנו תדרשנו׃ תדרשני ’eḏ·rə·šen·nū ’eḏ·rō·wōš ’eḏ·rōš ’eḏrəšennū ’eḏrōš ’eḏrōwōš ’id·dā·rêš ’iddārêš dā·rā·šə·tî ḏā·rā·šə·tî ḏā·rā·šū dā·raš dā·rāš ḏā·raš dā·raš·nū ḏā·raš·nū ḏā·raš·tā dā·raš·tî dā·rə·šāh dā·rə·šōw ḏā·rə·šū dā·rōš dāraš dārāš ḏāraš dārāšətî ḏārāšətî daRash daRasheti daRashnu daRashta daRashti daRashu dārašnū ḏārašnū ḏāraštā dāraštî ḏārāšū dārəšāh Dareshah dareSho dareShu dārəšōw ḏārəšū dārōš daRosh ḏə·rā·šu·hū də·rā·šū·nî də·rā·šūm də·rāš- ḏə·raš·nu·hū ḏə·raš·tî·ḵā də·rōš ḏə·rū·šāh də·rū·šîm dərāš- derashNuhu derashTicha deraShuhu deraShum deraShuni ḏərašnuhū ḏəraštîḵā ḏərāšuhū dərāšūm dərāšūnî dərōš deRosh ḏərūšāh deruShah deruShim dərūšîm dir·šū ḏir·šū dir·šū- dir·šū·nî dirShu dirShuni diršū ḏiršū diršū- diršūnî dō·rə·šāw dō·rə·šê ḏō·rə·še·ḵā dō·rêš ḏō·rêš dō·w·rêš dōrêš ḏōrêš dōrəšāw dōrəšê ḏōrəšeḵā doResh doreShav doreShei doreSheicha dōwrêš edreShennu edRoosh edRosh ha’iddārōš ha·’id·dā·rōš hă·liḏ·rōš had·dō·rêš haddōrêš haddoResh haiddaRosh hăliḏrōš halidRosh iddaResh lə·ḏā·rə·šê·nî lə·ḏar·yō·wōš ləḏārəšênî ledareSheni ledarYoosh ləḏaryōwōš liḏ·rāš- liḏ·rō·wōš liḏ·rōš liḏrāš- lidRoosh liḏrōš lidRosh lidroVosh liḏrōwōš niḏ·rā·šū niḏ·rāš niḏ·raš·tî niḏ·rō·wōš niḏrāš nidRash nidRashti nidRashu niḏraštî niḏrāšū nidRoosh niḏrōwōš tiḏ·rə·šen·nū ṯiḏ·rə·šen·nū tiḏ·rə·šū ṯiḏ·rə·šū tiḏ·rə·šu·hū ṯiḏ·rə·šu·nî ṯiḏ·rō·wōš tiḏ·rō·wōš- tiḏ·rōš ṯiḏ·rōš tiḏrəšennū ṯiḏrəšennū tidreShennu tidreShu tidreShuhu tidreShuni tiḏrəšū ṯiḏrəšū tiḏrəšuhū ṯiḏrəšunî tidRoosh tiḏrōš ṯiḏrōš tidRosh ṯiḏrōwōš tiḏrōwōš- ū·ḏə·rā·šū·hū uderaShuhu ūḏərāšūhū vaiyidreShehu vaiyidreShu vaiyidRosh vedarashTa vedarashTi vedareShu vedirShu vedoResh vedoreShei veedreshah venidreShah veyidRosh way·yiḏ·rə·šê·hū way·yiḏ·rə·šū way·yiḏ·rōš wayyiḏrəšêhū wayyiḏrəšū wayyiḏrōš wə’eḏrəšāh- wə·’eḏ·rə·šāh- wə·ḏā·raš·tā wə·ḏā·raš·tî wə·ḏā·rə·šū wə·ḏir·šū wə·ḏō·rə·šê wə·ḏō·rêš wə·niḏ·rə·šāh wə·yiḏ·rōš wəḏāraštā wəḏāraštî wəḏārəšū wəḏiršū wəḏōrêš wəḏōrəšê wəniḏrəšāh wəyiḏrōš yiḏ·rə·šê·hū yiḏ·rə·šen·nū yiḏ·rə·šū·hū yiḏ·rō·šū yiḏ·rō·šūn yiḏ·rō·wōš yiḏ·rōš yiḏrəšêhū yiḏrəšennū yidreShehu yidreShennu yidreShuhu yiḏrəšūhū yidRoosh yiḏrōš yidRosh yidRoshu yidroShun yiḏrōšū yiḏrōšūn yiḏrōwōš
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
