Lexical Summary doki: Lowness, depression, abasement Original Word: דֱּכִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wave From dakah; a dashing of surf -- wave. see HEBREW dakah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dakah Definition a pounding (of waves) NASB Translation pounding waves (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [דֳּכִי] noun [masculine] (crushing), crashing, dashing, suffix ישׂאִו נהרות דָּכְיָם Psalm 93:3 of ocean (waves). דכך (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Overview and Semantic Range דֱּכִי denotes the surge or pounding of sea waves, emphasizing their crashing, overwhelming force. Though it appears only once in Scripture, the term evokes the relentless energy of the ocean and serves as a vivid metaphor for forces that challenge divine order. Biblical Usage Psalm 93:3 is its lone occurrence: “The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their crashing waves”. Here דֱּכִי (“crashing waves”) intensifies the psalmist’s portrayal of tumultuous waters rising in defiance, only to be subdued by the LORD’s sovereign rule (Psalm 93:4). Literary and Poetic Significance Hebrew poetry frequently personifies natural elements to highlight God’s supremacy (Job 38:8–11; Psalm 89:9). By inserting דֱּכִי, the psalmist amplifies the drama: the sea not only roars but pounds with a rhythmic, battering cadence. This word choice reinforces the psalm’s crescendo from chaos to calm under divine governance. Theological Themes 1. Divine Kingship. The roaring surf symbolizes powers that seem unconquerable, yet Yahweh reigns “above the mighty waters” (Psalm 93:4). Historical Context Ancient Near Eastern cultures viewed the sea as a malevolent force. Israel’s Scriptures redeem this imagery, presenting the LORD not in conflict with primordial chaos but effortlessly enthroned above it (Psalm 29:10). דֱּכִי thus participates in a polemic against pagan myths, affirming monotheistic sovereignty. Ministry Application • Preaching and Teaching. Use Psalm 93:3–4 to reassure congregations facing societal upheaval: worldly “waves” may batter, yet God remains steadfast. Related Terms and Concepts • נהר (“river”)—often paired with sea imagery to depict threatening floods (Isaiah 59:19). Christological and Eschatological Considerations Jesus commanding the storm (Mark 4:39) and walking on the sea (Matthew 14:25) echo Psalm 93, demonstrating incarnate authority over the very forces symbolized by דֱּכִי. Revelation 21:1’s promise of “no more sea” anticipates the final removal of chaos, fulfilling the psalm’s assurance that God’s reign is eternal and unchallenged. Forms and Transliterations דָּכְיָֽם׃ דכים׃ dā·ḵə·yām dacheYam dāḵəyāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 93:3 HEB: יִשְׂא֖וּ נְהָר֣וֹת דָּכְיָֽם׃ NAS: lift up their pounding waves. KJV: the floods lift up their waves. INT: lift the floods their pounding 1 Occurrence |
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, Aramaic דְּכַךְ Late Hebrew in derivatives; see also דכא, דכה).