Lexical Summary deabon: Sorrow, Grief Original Word: דְּאָבוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sorrow From da'ab; pining -- sorrow. see HEBREW da'ab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom daeb Definition faintness, languishing NASB Translation despair (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [דְּאָבוֺן] noun [masculine] faintness, languishing, construct וְכִלְיוֺן עֵינַיִם וְַדאֲבוֺן נָ֑פֶשׁ Deuteronomy 28:65 (compare Leviticus 26:16 & Syriac  see דוב). Topical Lexicon Definition and Sense דְּאָבוֹן (deʾavon) conveys the idea of wasting, pining, or debilitating sorrow that drains vitality from the body and spirit. It pictures a slow inner dissolution rather than a sudden calamity—an unrelenting ebb of strength that leaves the sufferer listless and resigned. Context in Deuteronomy 28:65 The word occurs in the covenant-curse section of Deuteronomy. After Israel is warned of dispersion among the nations, Moses declares: “Among those nations you will find no repose, not even a resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a despairing soul” (Deuteronomy 28:65). Here דְּאָבוֹן is rendered “despairing,” set alongside “trembling heart” and “failing eyes.” The three phrases progress from emotional agitation, to physical deterioration, to the deepest seat of personhood—the “soul” (nephesh). The verse thus portrays a total, covenant-induced collapse of security, health, and hope. Historical and Covenantal Setting Deuteronomy 28 functions as the formal treaty between Israel and Yahweh. Blessings crown obedience (28:1-14); curses fall upon rebellion (28:15-68). דְּאָבוֹן is one of the culminating judgments, reserved for a nation that persists in covenant infidelity. Historically, the Babylonian exile and later the Roman dispersion vividly illustrate this wasting sorrow among scattered Israelites, confirming the integrity of Moses’ prophecy (2 Chronicles 36:17-21; Luke 21:24). Theological Implications 1. Sin’s Consequence: דְּאָבוֹן demonstrates that rebellion carries an intrinsic withering effect on the human soul (Romans 6:23). Relation to Other Biblical Themes • Faintness of Heart: Parallel ideas appear in Leviticus 26:36-39 and Isaiah 13:7-8, reinforcing that dread and languishing accompany divine judgment. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Warning to Apostasy: Preachers may appeal to דְּאָבוֹן as a sober reminder that turning from God leads to gradual spiritual desiccation, not flourishing. Typological and Christological Reflections Jesus Christ experienced the fullest measure of covenant curse on behalf of His people—“My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38). At the cross the “despairing soul” of Deuteronomy 28:65 is borne by the Sin-Bearer, so that all who trust in Him may receive “joy inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8). Summary דְּאָבוֹן portrays the slow death of hope that accompanies divine judgment for covenant unfaithfulness. Its single occurrence in Deuteronomy 28:65 stands as a perpetual witness to the seriousness of sin, the faithfulness of God’s warnings, and the magnificence of redemption offered in Christ, who alone can transform despairing souls into vessels of abiding rest and joy. Forms and Transliterations וְדַֽאֲב֥וֹן ודאבון vedaaVon wə·ḏa·’ă·ḇō·wn wəḏa’ăḇōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 28:65 HEB: וְכִלְי֥וֹן עֵינַ֖יִם וְדַֽאֲב֥וֹן נָֽפֶשׁ׃ NAS: failing of eyes, and despair of soul. KJV: of eyes, and sorrow of mind: INT: failing of eyes and despair of soul 1 Occurrence |
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