Lexical Summary dagar: To brood, to hatch Original Word: דָּגַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gather, sit A primitive root, to brood over eggs or young -- gather, sit. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to gather together as a brood NASB Translation gather (1), hatches eggs (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [דָּגַר] verb gather together as a brood (compare Aramaic דְּגַר heap together; so  Nasar.) — Qal Perfect3masculine singular דָּ֨גָר Jeremiah 17:11; 3feminine singular דָּֽגְרָה Isaiah 34:15 — gather together into its shadow Isaiah 34:15 (of קִמֹּז, q. v.), דָּגָר וְלֹא יָלָד֑ Jeremiah 17:11 (of partridge; simile of one getting riches unjustly). Topical Lexicon Semantic Field and Imagery דָּגַר paints the picture of a bird settling over eggs until they break open. The verb evokes patience, nurturing care, and the inevitability of whatever has been conceived coming to light—whether for blessing or for judgment. Biblical Occurrences • Isaiah 34:15 – “There the owl will nest and lay and hatch and gather her young in its shadow; there too the falcons will gather, each with a mate.” Contextual Insights Isaiah 34 announces desolation upon Edom. Among the ruin, unclean birds continue the ordinary cycle of life: laying, hatching, and brooding. דָּגַר emphasizes the certainty of God’s decree; even in judgment creation proceeds under His sovereign order. Jeremiah 17 contrasts true trust in the Lord with the futility of self-reliance. The partridge that broods over another bird’s eggs illustrates ill-gotten gain: what is “hatched” will never truly belong to the one who sat upon it. דָּגַר therefore serves as a moral snapshot—prosperity acquired without righteousness inevitably flies away. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near Eastern observers noted that certain partridge species occasionally roll abandoned eggs into their nests. The phenomenon supplied a vivid proverb: apparent increase can mask underlying theft. Prophets could invoke this behavior with assurance their hearers understood the lesson—God’s moral universe exposes every fraudulent incubation. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty: Whether judgment in Isaiah or personal ethics in Jeremiah, the act of hatching unfolds under God’s watchful eye. Connections within Scripture • Job 39:14-15 speaks of the ostrich “leaving her eggs on the ground,” highlighting neglect. דָּגַר complements this by portraying deliberate, though futile, attention. Practical Ministry Applications • Stewardship: Ministries must examine motives in fundraising and resource management; unjust gain, however carefully nursed, will not endure. Christological Perspective The verb quietly foreshadows the protective humility of Jesus, who gathers His people under the shadow of His wings and, unlike the partridge, brings forth life that is truly His own (John 10:28). At the cross the righteous Brooder receives those who trust Him, ensuring that what He hatches can never be taken away. Summary דָּגַר, though rare, delivers a penetrating twofold lesson: God’s purposes will always hatch, and gains pursued apart from Him will ultimately fly away. Forms and Transliterations דָגַר֙ דגר וְדָגְרָ֣ה ודגרה ḏā·ḡar daGar ḏāḡar vedageRah wə·ḏā·ḡə·rāh wəḏāḡərāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 34:15 HEB: וַתְּמַלֵּ֔ט וּבָקְעָ֖ה וְדָגְרָ֣ה בְצִלָּ֑הּ אַךְ־ NAS: And it will hatch and gather [them] under its protection. KJV: and hatch, and gather under her shadow: INT: and lay will hatch and gather protection Yes Jeremiah 17:11 2 Occurrences |
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