Lexical Summary deshe: Grass, green herb, vegetation Original Word: דֶּשֶׁא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tender grass, green, tender herb From dasha; a sprout; by analogy, grass -- (tender) grass, green, (tender)herb. see HEBREW dasha NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dasha Definition grass NASB Translation fresh grass (1), grass (3), green (1), herb (3), new grass (1), new growth (1), tender grass (2), vegetation (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs דֶּ֫שֶׁא noun masculineIsaiah 15:6 grass (Late Hebrew id., Assyrian dišu, herb, LyonSargontexte 69; Sabean דתֿא fresh shoots DHMZMG 1875, 597 = springtime CISiv. p. 11; Aramaic דִּתְאָה,  (compare LagBN 130)) — ׳ד absolute Genesis 1:11+ 13 t. — accusative of congnate meaning with verb תַּדְשֵׁא Genesis 1:11; compare Genesis 1:12 (in both, produced by earth); springing out of earth 2 Samuel 23:4; of a second crop of grass Proverbs 21:25 (opposed to חָצִיר); caused to spring forth by God לְהַצְמִיחַ מֹצָא דֶ֑שֶׁא Job 38:27; refreshed by rain Deuteronomy 32:2; ׳נְאוֺת ד Psalm 23:2; as food of wild ass Job 6:5; as failing (withered) Isaiah 15:6; lacking for animals Jeremiah 14:5; וִירַק דֶּשֶׁא simile of weakness 2 Kings 19:26 ("" עֵשֶׂב שָׂדֶה) = Isaiah 37:27; of transitoriness (withering) Psalm 37:2 (׳יֶרֶק ד); of growth and prosperity, Isaiah 66:14. Topical Lexicon Overview The Hebrew noun conveys the idea of fresh young vegetation—newly sprouted grass, tender shoots, or verdant pasturage. It appears fifteen times across Torah, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets, uniting creation, covenant blessing, pastoral care, and prophetic warning under a single image of life that flourishes under divine favor yet withers under judgment. Occurrences and Literary Distribution Creation: Genesis 1:11; Genesis 1:12 Torah Song: Deuteronomy 32:2 Historical Narrative: 2 Samuel 23:4; 2 Kings 19:26 Wisdom and Poetry: Job 6:5; Job 38:27; Psalm 23:2; Psalm 37:2; Proverbs 27:25 Prophets: Isaiah 15:6; Isaiah 37:27; Isaiah 66:14; Jeremiah 14:5; Jeremiah 50:11 Creation Motif Genesis 1:11–12 sets דֶּשֶׁא within the first burst of terrestrial life. Vegetation springs forth at God’s word before sun or rain are mentioned, underscoring the Creator’s direct agency and establishing green growth as a baseline blessing. The same word later anchors several passages that assume the earth’s normal fertility; its first appearance therefore supplies a theological lens for later references—every blade exists because “God saw that it was good.” Covenantal Blessing and Agricultural Abundance Deuteronomy 32:2 likens sound doctrine to “gentle rain on new grass.” Moses’ song interprets covenant instruction as life-giving moisture that sustains tender growth. Likewise 2 Samuel 23:4 pictures a just ruler as “the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth,” bonding righteous leadership with agricultural prosperity. These texts tether societal well-being to covenant fidelity: obedience nurtures the land the way rain quickens sprouts. Pastoral Imagery and Divine Guidance Psalm 23:2 employs the term in its beloved line, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” The Shepherd’s provision is not sparse stubble but lush, restful grazing. Job 6:5 echoes common husbandry, noting that a donkey does not bray “over fresh grass,” illustrating that creaturely contentment flows from adequate nourishment. Together they frame pastoral ministry: the Lord leads His flock to doctrinally rich, soul-restoring pasture, and earthly shepherds are called to imitate that care. Symbol of Fragility and Transience Psalm 37:2 contrasts evildoers with lush vegetation that quickly withers. Isaiah 15:6 and parallel verses (2 Kings 19:26; Isaiah 37:27) likewise treat nations reduced to “grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown up.” Here דֶּשֶׁא becomes a poetic device for the brevity of human glory. Proverbs 27:25 uses seasonal cycles—hay removal, new growth, and hill grass gathering—to remind readers of agricultural rhythms that demand prudent stewardship. Prophetic Use: Judgment and Restoration Jeremiah 14:5 sketches drought so severe that a doe abandons her fawn “because there is no grass,” graphically portraying covenant curses. Yet Isaiah 66:14 turns the image positive: “your bones will flourish like grass,” promising renewed vigor to the faithful remnant. The same plant that withers under judgment flourishes under divine consolation, reinforcing prophetic calls to repentance and trust. Meteorological Theology Job 38:27 credits God with sending rain “to satisfy the parched wasteland and make it sprout with tender grass.” The verse joins others (Deuteronomy 32:2; 2 Samuel 23:4) to build a theology of precipitation: rain is not a random natural cycle but an instrument in the Creator’s hand, either withheld or bestowed in response to moral and redemptive purposes. Wisdom Applications Proverbs 27:25’s reference to new growth invites practical reflection on economic cycles and timely harvesting. Human labor cooperates with God-given vegetation; wise management of seasons honors the Giver. Theological Reflection 1. Life originates and is sustained by God; green shoots are a continual witness to His ongoing providence. Homiletical and Pastoral Significance • Feed the flock: aim for ministry that leads believers into “green pastures,” providing doctrine that truly nourishes. Related Biblical Themes Vegetation in general (Genesis 1), rain and dew, pastoral leadership, covenant blessings and curses, eschatological renewal, brevity of life, agricultural metaphors in discipleship (Mark 4), and typological anticipation of the Good Shepherd (John 10) who ensures everlasting pasture (Revelation 7:17). Summary Whether describing Edenic creation, covenantal blessing, pastoral provision, or prophetic warning, דֶּשֶׁא consistently testifies to a living God who brings forth life, withholds it, and promises its ultimate restoration in His kingdom. Forms and Transliterations דֶ֑שֶׁא דֶ֔שֶׁא דֶּ֔שֶׁא דֶּ֝֗שֶׁא דֶּ֠שֶׁא דֶּ֥שֶׁא דֶּ֭שֶׁא דֶּֽשֶׁא׃ דֶֽשֶׁא׃ דָשָׁ֔ה דשא דשא׃ דשה כַּדֶּ֣שֶׁא כדשא ḏā·šāh ḏāšāh daShah de·še ḏe·še deše ḏeše Deshe kad·de·še kaddeše kadDesheLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 1:11 HEB: תַּֽדְשֵׁ֤א הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ דֶּ֔שֶׁא עֵ֚שֶׂב מַזְרִ֣יעַ NAS: sprout vegetation: plants KJV: bring forth grass, the herb INT: sprout the earth vegetation plants yielding Genesis 1:12 Deuteronomy 32:2 2 Samuel 23:4 2 Kings 19:26 Job 6:5 Job 38:27 Psalm 23:2 Psalm 37:2 Proverbs 27:25 Isaiah 15:6 Isaiah 37:27 Isaiah 66:14 Jeremiah 14:5 Jeremiah 50:11 15 Occurrences |
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