Lexical Summary deleth: Door Original Word: דֶּלֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance door two-leaved, gate, leaf, lid From dalah; something swinging, i.e. The valve of a door -- door (two-leaved), gate, leaf, lid. (In Psa. 141:3, dal, irreg.). see HEBREW dalah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dalah Definition a door NASB Translation columns (1), door (21), door and leaves (1), doors (45), doors had leaves (1), gates (11), gateway (1), leaves (1), lid (1), opening (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs דָּל, דַּל noun door, see below דלה. below [דָּל] noun [masculine] door (Phoenician דל) only figurative: construct דַּל שָׂפָתָ֑י Psalm 141:3. [דָּלָה] noun feminine door, only Qr דְּלָתְךָ (Kt דלתיך) Isaiah 26:20 figurative, door of chamber in which people (personified) hides (compare also דֶּלֶת dual) דֶּ֫לֶת noun feminine (? masculineNehemiah 13:19) door (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian daltu(m) StrmAv 1843 SchrCOT Gloss; Phoenician plural דלהת CISi. 7. 3; — according to BaZMG 1887, 607 from √ ידל, Assyrian edilu, to bolt, bar) — דֶּלֶת (always absolute, and with article except Songs 8:9 + Ezekiel 41:24 but here Co article) Genesis 19:10 18t.; דָּ֑לֶת Genesis 19:9; Judges 19:22; suffix דַּלְתּוֺ 2 Kings 12:10; Du. דְּלָתַיִם (compare Sta§ 187 a) Deuteronomy 3:5 9t., דְּתָ֑יִם Job 38:10; construct דַּלְתֵי Joshua 2:19 6t. + Ezekiel 26:2 Co; suffix דְּלָתַי Job 31:32, דְּלָתֶיךָ Zechariah 11:1 + Isaiah 26:20 Kt (compare דָּלָה feminine noun), דְּלָתֶיהָ Joshua 6:26; 1 Kings 16:34; plural דְּלָתוֺת Jeremiah 36:23 10t.; construct דַּלְתוֺת Judges 3:23 19t. + Ezekiel 26:2 (Co דלתי); suffix דַּלְתֹתַי Proverbs 8:34, דַּלְתוֺתָיו2Chronicles 3:7; 4:22; דַּלְתֹתָיו Nehemiah 3:1,3,6,13,14,15; דַּלְתוֺתֵיהֶם2Chronicles 4:9; 1 door of house (distinguished from door-way, compare 1 Kings 6:31 מֶּתַח Genesis 19:6) Genesis 19:9,10; Exodus 2:6 (all J E) Deuteronomy 15:17; Joshua 2:19 (JE) Judges 11:31; Judges 19:22,27; 1 Samuel 21:14 (דלתות השׁער) 2 Kings 4:4,5; 2 Kings 6:32 (twice in verse); Isaiah 57:8; Job 31:32; so figurative of wisdom's house Proverbs 8:34 לִשְׁקֹד עַלדַּֿלְתֹתַי; particular doors of house of ׳י 1 Samuel 3:15 (׳הֵיכַל י 1 Samuel 3:3); temple 1 Kings 6:34 (3 t. in verse); 1 Kings 7:50; 2 Kings 18:16; 1 Chronicles 22:3; 2Chronicles 3:7; 4:22; 28:24; 29:3; Nehemiah 6:10; Malachi 1:10; so of Ezekiel's temple, Ezekiel 41:23,24 (5 t. in verse); Ezekiel 41:25. 2 door of room Judges 3:23,24,25; 2 Samuel 13:17,18; 2 Kings 4:33; 2 Kings 9:3,10. especially doors of דביר or קדשׁים ׳ק 1 Kings 6:31,32; 1 Kings 7:50; 2Chronicles 4:22 compare also Ezekiel 41:23; also of court עֲזָרָה2Chronicles 4:9 (twice in verse), and of porch אוּלָם2Chronicles 29:7. 3 gates of city Deuteronomy 3:5; Joshua 6:26 (compare 1 Kings 16:34) Judges 16:3; 1 Samuel 23:7; 2Chronicles 8:5; 2 Chronicles 14:6; Nehemiah 3:1,3,6,13,14,15; Nehemiah 6:1; Nehemiah 7:1 (׳ד then Generally distinct from שׁער, which denotes the whole structure of gate, including posts, open space, etc., while ׳ד is swinging door), Nehemiah 7:3; Nehemiah 13:19 (where also sense narrower than "" שׁעת) Isaiah 45:1 ("" שׁערים) compare Isaiah 45:2 and Psalm 107:16; Jeremiah 49:31; Ezekiel 38:11. 4 in other senses (mostly figurative): door (probably lid) of chest 2 Kings 12:10; aperture of womb Job 3:10 (בטני ׳ד); jaws of crocodile Job 41:6 (פניו ׳ד); lips of man Ecclesiastes 12:4; doors enclosing and shutting off sea Job 38:8,10; doors of heaven through which comes rain Psalm 78:23 (compare ׳אֲרֻבֹּת השׁ Genesis 7:11); of column of MS. (from shape) Jeremiah 36:23; figurative of easily accessible woman, Songs 8:9; in simile Proverbs 26:14; of Jerusalem as gate of people Ezekiel 26:2; of Lebanon Zechariah 11:1. Topical Lexicon Physical and Architectural Use Delet designates the swinging “leaf” of a doorway, whether in a tent (Job 31:34), a house (Joshua 2:19), a palace (1 Kings 6:34), or a fortified gate (Nehemiah 3:3). It marks the visible boundary between public space and private or sacred space and is usually paired with bolts, bars, or sockets (Nehemiah 7:3), underscoring its role in security and stewardship. Solomon’s Temple featured elaborately carved olive-wood doors overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:31), highlighting the material honor given to spaces where the LORD’s name dwelt. Domestic Life and Social Customs Doors framed everyday family activity: evening protection (Genesis 19:9), hospitality (Song of Solomon 5:4), and instruction (Proverbs 31:27). “As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed” (Proverbs 26:14) uses the repetitive motion of a door to illustrate habitual laziness; the proverb only works where the hearer recognizes the common sound and sight of a wooden leaf pivoting on sockets. Covenant Rituals and Legal Proceedings Delet becomes a courtroom in Exodus 21:6: “His master must take him to the door or doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl, and he will be his servant for life.” The threshold anchors lifelong obligation; blood on wood seals voluntary servitude. Earlier, Passover blood had marked Israel’s house-doors (Exodus 12:7), declaring the occupants under divine protection. In both cases the door separates life from death, liberty from bondage, and covenant identity from outside threats. Worship and Sacred Space From Tabernacle to Second Temple, doors controlled access to holiness. Ezekiel’s visionary temple has “double doors” between nave and sanctuary (Ezekiel 41:23-24), emphasizing gradations of approach. Priests opened and shut these doors at prescribed times (2 Chronicles 29:3-7). Neglecting them symbolized apostasy; Hezekiah’s reform began by reopening the doors his father had shut. Malachi rebukes indifferent priests: “If only one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not kindle useless fire on My altar!” (Malachi 1:10), implying that half-hearted worship is worse than none. Cities and National Defense While delet usually describes a house-door, the term can refer to the movable leaves of city gates. Builders in Nehemiah “installed its doors, bolts, and bars” (Nehemiah 3:3). Shutting city doors at night (Nehemiah 7:3) guarded against enemies and controlled commerce. The prophets envision eschatological security by reversing that custom: “Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut day or night” (Isaiah 60:11). Wisdom, Poetry, and Personal Spirituality In prayer the psalmist begs, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3), treating speech as an entryway requiring divine sentry. Wisdom warns of unseen danger crouching at a door (Genesis 4:7 conceptually, though another Hebrew term), whereas Job speaks of social shame that would drive him indoors (Job 31:34). Each text uses the door as a metaphor for self-control, moral vigilance, and relational openness. Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions Isaiah 26:20 calls the faithful to shelter during judgment: “Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the wrath has passed.” The closed door protects until divine wrath is satisfied, echoing Passover. Conversely, Ezekiel sees the glory of the LORD filling the temple such that the east gate is permanently shut (Ezekiel 44:1-2), signaling completed holiness. Openness or closure thus prophesies either welcome to blessing or exclusion from it. Christological and Gospel Fulfillment The Hebrew concept of delet prepares readers for Messiah’s self-declaration, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9). The unique Gospel claim rests on the Old Testament pattern: a door marked by blood, guarded by covenant, opening to those summoned by grace. Revelation 3:7 presents Jesus with “the key of David,” controlling entry to the ultimate sanctuary; the authority anticipated in Temple doors now resides in the risen Christ. Pastoral and Discipleship Applications 1. Security in Christ: Just as Passover homes were sealed by blood, believers rest under the blood of the Lamb. Thus delet—far more than a wooden panel—functions throughout Scripture as a theological hinge between exclusion and access, judgment and salvation, concealment and revelation, culminating in the open invitation of the Gospel itself. Forms and Transliterations בְּדַלְת֤וֹת בְּדַלְתּ֑וֹ בִּדְלָתַ֣יִם בַּדֶּ֔לֶת בדלת בדלתו בדלתות בדלתים דְּ֝לָתַ֗י דְּלָת֔וֹת דְּלָת֖וֹת דְּלָת֛וֹת דְּלָתֶ֑יךָ דְּלָתֶ֔יהָ דְּלָתֶֽיהָ׃ דְּלָתַ֔יִם דְּלָתַ֣יִם דְּלָתַ֥יִם דְּלָתוֹת֮ דְלָת֖וֹת דְלָתַ֙יִם֙ דְלָתַ֧יִם דֶּ֣לֶת דַּ֥ל דַּ֭לְתֹתַי דַּלְת֣וֹת דַּלְת֤וֹת דַּלְת֥וֹת דַּלְת֧וֹת דַּלְת֨וֹת דַּלְתֵ֣י דַּלְתֹתָ֑יו דַּלְתֹתָ֔יו דַּלְתוֹתָ֨יו דַלְת֖וֹת דְּלָתְךָ֖ דל דלת דלתות דלתותיו דלתי דלתיה דלתיה׃ דלתיך דלתים דלתך דלתתי דלתתיו הַ֭דֶּלֶת הַדְּלָת֑וֹת הַדְּלָת֔וֹת הַדְּלָת֖וֹת הַדֶּ֔לֶת הַדֶּ֖לֶת הַדֶּ֙לֶת֙ הַדֶּ֛לֶת הַדֶּ֤לֶת הַדֶּ֥לֶת הַדָּ֑לֶת הַדָּֽלֶת׃ הדלת הדלת׃ הדלתות וְדַלְתֵ֖י וְדַלְתֵ֥י וְדַלְתוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם וְדַלְתוֹתָ֖יו וְהַדֶּ֖לֶת וּבַדֶּ֔לֶת וּדְלָת֧וֹת וּדְלָתַ֖יִם וּדְלָתָֽיִם׃ ובדלת ודלתות ודלתותיהם ודלתותיו ודלתי ודלתים ודלתים׃ והדלת לְדֶ֣לֶת לְדַלְת֧וֹת לְדַלְתֵ֥י לְדַלְתוֹת֩ לַדְּלָת֑וֹת לדלת לדלתות לדלתי מִדַּלְתֵ֤י מִדַּלְתֵ֨י מדלתי bad·de·leṯ badDelet baddeleṯ bə·ḏal·ṯō·wṯ bə·ḏal·tōw bedalTo bedalTot bəḏaltōw bəḏalṯōwṯ biḏ·lā·ṯa·yim bidlaTayim biḏlāṯayim dal dal·ṯê dal·ṯō·ṯāw dal·ṯō·ṯay dal·ṯō·w·ṯāw dal·ṯō·wṯ ḏal·ṯō·wṯ dalṯê dalTei dalTot Daltotai daltoTav dalṯōṯāw dalṯōṯay dalṯōwṯ ḏalṯōwṯ dalṯōwṯāw də·lā·ṯa·yim ḏə·lā·ṯa·yim də·lā·ṯay də·lā·ṯe·hā də·lā·ṯe·ḵā də·lā·ṯə·ḵā də·lā·ṯō·wṯ ḏə·lā·ṯō·wṯ de·leṯ delaTai dəlāṯay delaTayim dəlāṯayim ḏəlāṯayim delateCha dəlāṯehā delaTeicha delaTeiha dəlāṯeḵā dəlāṯəḵā delaTot dəlāṯōwṯ ḏəlāṯōwṯ Delet deleṯ had·dā·leṯ had·də·lā·ṯō·wṯ had·de·leṯ hadDalet haddāleṯ haddelaTot haddəlāṯōwṯ hadDelet haddeleṯ lad·də·lā·ṯō·wṯ laddelaTot laddəlāṯōwṯ lə·ḏal·ṯê lə·ḏal·ṯō·wṯ lə·ḏe·leṯ ləḏalṯê ledalTei ledaltOt ləḏalṯōwṯ leDelet ləḏeleṯ mid·dal·ṯê middalṯê middalTei ū·ḇad·de·leṯ ū·ḏə·lā·ṯa·yim ū·ḏə·lā·ṯā·yim ū·ḏə·lā·ṯō·wṯ ūḇaddeleṯ udelaTayim ūḏəlāṯayim ūḏəlāṯāyim udelaTot ūḏəlāṯōwṯ uvadDelet vedalTei vedaltoTav vedaltoteiHem vehadDelet wə·ḏal·ṯê wə·ḏal·ṯō·w·ṯāw wə·ḏal·ṯō·w·ṯê·hem wə·had·de·leṯ wəḏalṯê wəḏalṯōwṯāw wəḏalṯōwṯêhem wəhaddeleṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 19:6 HEB: ל֖וֹט הַפֶּ֑תְחָה וְהַדֶּ֖לֶת סָגַ֥ר אַחֲרָֽיו׃ NAS: and shut the door behind KJV: unto them, and shut the door after him, INT: Lot the doorway the door and shut behind Genesis 19:9 Genesis 19:10 Exodus 21:6 Deuteronomy 3:5 Deuteronomy 15:17 Joshua 2:19 Joshua 6:26 Judges 3:23 Judges 3:24 Judges 3:25 Judges 11:31 Judges 16:3 Judges 19:22 Judges 19:27 1 Samuel 3:15 1 Samuel 21:14 1 Samuel 23:7 2 Samuel 13:17 2 Samuel 13:18 1 Kings 6:31 1 Kings 6:32 1 Kings 6:34 1 Kings 6:34 1 Kings 6:34 88 Occurrences |
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