Original Word: דָּרַשׁ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: darash
Pronunciation: dah-RAHSH
Phonetic Spelling: (daw-rash')
Definition: To seek, inquire, require, investigate, demand
Meaning: to tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - ζητέω (zēteō) - Strong's Greek 2212: To seek, search for, desire

- ἐκζητέω (ekzēteō) - Strong's Greek 1567: To seek out, search diligently

Usage: The Hebrew verb "darash" primarily means to seek or inquire. It conveys a sense of diligent searching or investigation, often with the intent of obtaining information or understanding. In the context of the Bible, "darash" is frequently used to describe the act of seeking God, His will, or His guidance. It can also imply a demand for justice or an investigation into a matter.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, seeking God was a central aspect of religious life. This involved not only prayer and worship but also a commitment to understanding and following God's laws and commandments. The act of "darash" was integral to maintaining a covenant relationship with God, as it demonstrated a desire to align one's life with divine principles. In a broader cultural context, seeking or inquiring was also a part of legal and communal decision-making processes, where leaders and judges would investigate matters to ensure justice and righteousness.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to resort to, seek
NASB Translation
ask (1), avenge (1), calls (1), care (1), cares (3), comes the reckoning (1), consult (2), consulted by them at all (1), demand (1), inquire (33), inquired (5), inquirer (1), investigate (3), investigated (1), looks (2), making inquiry (1), questioned (1), require (7), required (1), requires (1), resort (3), search (6), searched (1), searched carefully (1), searches (2), seek (53), seek after (1), seeking (2), seeks (3), sought (18), studied (1), study (1), surely require (1).

דַּרְיוֺשׁ Ezra 10:16 see דרשׁ.

דָּרַשׁ₁₆₂ verb resort to, seek (compare Arabic rub over, efface (a site), tread (wheat), figurative read repeatedly, study; beat (a path), discuss, Pa`el practise in; Late Hebrew search out (a meaning), expound) —

Qal Perfect 1 Chronicles 10:14; Imperfect יִדְרשׁ Psalm 10:4 +, אֶדְרְשָׁה 1 Samuel 28:7, נִדְרְשָׁה 1 Kings 22:7 +, יִדְרְשׁוּן Isaiah 55:2; Imperative דְּרָשֿׁ 1 Kings 22:5 +; Infinitive absolute דָּרשׁ Leviticus 10:16; Deuteronomy 23:22; construct דְּרשׁ Deuteronomy 22:2 + לִדְרָשֿׁ Ezekiel 14:7, לְדַרְיוֺשׁ (scribal error for לִדְרוֺשׁ Ew^{§ 239a} Ol^{§ 245 g}) Ezra 10:16; Participle דֹּרֵשׁ Deuteronomy 11:12 10t., דּוֺרֵשׁ 1 Chronicles 28:9 3t.; passive דְּרוּשִׁים Psalm 111:2, דְּרוּשָׁה Isaiah 62:12; synonym בקשׁ; —

1 (tread a place,) resort to, frequent, with religious object, with accusative of location Amos 5:5; 2Chronicles 1:5, לְ local Deuteronomy 12:5.

2 seek, consult, inquire of:

a. accusative ׳י, אֱלֹהִים Genesis 25:22 (J) Exodus 18:15 (E) 1 Samuel 9:9; 1 Kings 22:8; 2 Kings 3:11; 2 Kings 8:8; 2 Kings 22:13,18; 1 Chronicles 15:13; 1 Chronicles 21:30; 2Chronicles 18:7; 34:21; Psalm 24:6; Psalm 78:34; Jeremiah 21:2; Jeremiah 37:7; Ezekiel 20:1,3; the ark of God 1 Chronicles 13:3; word of Yahweh 1 Kings 22:5 (= 2 Chronicles 18:4) compare 1 Kings 14:5; with בְּ Yahweh 1 Chronicles 10:14; 2Chronicles 34:26; Ezekiel 14:7; his word 2 Kings 1:16; with אֶל, אֶלאֵֿל Job 5:8; their God Isaiah 8:19, Messianic king Isaiah 11:10; ׳מֵעַלסֵֿפֶר י out of the book of ׳י Isaiah 34:16 (in gloss, according to Che^{JQ Jan. 1892, 332}); with מֵאוֺתוֺ of a ׳נָבִיא לי 1 Kings 22:7 (= 2 Chronicles 18:6) compare (above) 2 Chronicles 18:8; 2 Kings 3:11 and 1 Kings 14:5 (מֵעִמְּךָ).

b. heathen gods and necromancers, הַדֹּרֵשׁ the inquirer Ezekiel 14:10; with בְּ, בַּעֲלַת אוֺב 1 Samuel 28:7, בָּאוֺב 1 Chronicles 10:13, בְּבַעַל זְבוּב 2 Kings 1:2,3,6,16; with אֶל, אֶלהָֿאֹבוֺת Isaiah 8:19, אֶלהַֿמֵּתִים Deuteronomy 18:11, אֶלהָֿאֱלִילִים Isaiah 19:3.

3 seek deity in prayer and worship:

a. the true God (compare בקשׁ 3) ׳דרשׁ י Deuteronomy 4:29; Hosea 10:12; Amos 5:4,6; Isaiah 9:12; Isaiah 31:1; Isaiah 55:6; Isaiah 58:2; Isaiah 65:10; Jeremiah 10:21; Jeremiah 29:13; Zephaniah 1:6; Lamentations 3:25; 1 Chronicles 16:11 (= Psalm 105:4) Psalm 28:9; 2Chronicles 12:14; 2 Chronicles 14:3; 2 Chronicles 14:6; 2 Chronicles 15:2,12; 16:12; 22:9; 26:5; Psalm 9:11; Psalm 22:27; Psalm 34:5; Psalm 34:11; Psalm 119:2; Psalm 119:10; דרשׁ (ה)אלהים2Chronicles 19:3; 26:5; 30:19; Psalm 14:2 (= Psalm 53:3) Psalm 69:33; ׳אֲדֹנָי ד Psalm 77:3; with לְ, only in Chronicler, ליהוה 1 Chronicles 22:19; 2Chronicles 15:13; 20:3; Ezra 6:21; לאלהים2Chronicles 17:4; 31:21; 34:3; Ezra 4:2; Dr^{Intr. 503} finds in Chronicles weakened meaning, revere.

b. seek heathen deities, with accusative Jeremiah 8:2; 2Chronicles 25:15,20; with לְ, Deuteronomy 12:30; 2Chronicles 17:3.

4. a. seek, with idea of demanding, require (בקשׁ is seek, simply), with accusative lost sheep Deuteronomy 22:2; Ezekiel 34:6,8,11; goat Leviticus 10:16 (twice in verse) (P); with אחר, after green fodder Job 39:8.

b. inquire, investigate (a matter), absolute Judges 6:29; Deuteronomy 13:15; Deuteronomy 17:4,9; Deuteronomy 19:18; with accusative כָּללְֿבָבוֺת ׳דּוֺרֵשׁ י all hearts Yahweh searches 1 Chronicles 28:9; לִדְרשׁ הַמּוֺפֵת to inquire into the wonder2Chronicles 32:31; with לְ, to inquire about 2 Samuel 11:3; Job 10:6; followed by עַל person + infinitive 2 Chronicles 24:6 apply to the Levites to bring, etc., compare 2 Chronicles 31:9 (עַל both person and thing).

5 ask for, require, demand, with accusative of thing Ezekiel 20:40; + מִן person Deuteronomy 23:22; Micah 6:8; exact, often with collateral idea of avenging, מֵעִם Deuteronomy 18:19, so with מִיַּד Ezekiel 34:10, דָּרַשׁ דָּם מִיַּד Genesis 9:5 (P) Ezekiel 33:6; accusative only, דֹּרֵשׁ דמים Psalm 9:13, רִשְׁעוֺ ׳ד Psalm 10:15; absolute Psalm 10:4; Psalm 10:13; 2Chronicles 24:22.

6 seek with application, study, follow, practise, absolute by wisdom Ecclesiastes 1:13; with accusative מִשְׁמָּט ׳ד study or practise justice Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 16:5; ׳מַעֲשֵׂי י Psalm 111:2; טוֺב וְאַלרַֿע Amos 5:14; commands of God Psalm 119:45; Psalm 119:94; Psalm 119:155; 1 Chronicles 28:8; the law Ear 1 Chronicles 7:10; שׁלום ׳ד seek or study the peace, welfare of any one Deuteronomy 23:7; Jeremiah 29:7; Ezra 9:12, לשׁלום Jeremiah 38:4, טוב ׳ד Esther 10:3, רעה ׳ד Proverbs 11:27; Psalm 38:13 (compare בקשׁ 2, where this use is more common).

7 seek with care, care for, ארץ אשׁר יהוה אלהיך דֹּרֵשׁ אתהּ land which Yahweh thy God careth for Deuteronomy 11:12; אַליִֿדְרְשֵׁהוּ אֱלוֺהַּ let not Eloah care for it Job 3:4; ׳אוֺתָךְ לֹא יִד Jeremiah 30:14; דָּֽרְשָׁה צֶמֶר Proverbs 31:13; with לְ Jeremiah 30:17; אֵין דּוֺרֵשׁ לְנַפְשִׁי no one careth for me Psalm 142:5; but in both these לְ perhaps belongs to אֵין, compare "" אֵין לִי מַכִּיר Psalm 142:5, also Lamentations 4:4 etc.; דְּרוּשָׁה cared for (of Jerusalem) Isaiah 62:12.

Niph`al Perfect נִדְרָ֑שׁ Genesis 42:22, נִדְרַשְׁתִּי Isaiah 65:1, נִדְרָ֑שׁוּ 1 Chronicles 26:31; Imperfect אִדָּרֵשׁ Ezekiel 14:3; Ezekiel 20:3,31,31; Ezekiel 36:37; Infinitive absolute הַאִדָּרשׁ Ezekiel 14:3 (for ההדרשׁ); —

1 let oneself be inquired of, consulted, only of God Ezekiel 14:3 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 20:3,31,31; Ezekiel 36:37; Isaiah 65:1.

2 be sought out 1 Chronicles 26:31.

3 be required, of blood (compare Qal 5) Genesis 42:22 (E).

Note. — וְדָרְשׁוּ מֵחָרְבוֺתֵיהֶם and beg out of their desolate places Psalm 109:10 (Ki and others wed©ršu, see Baer); many MSS. read דָּֽרְשׁוּ, so most interpretations; ᵐ5 Hup Bi Che read גֹּרְשׁוּ be driven from.

ask, at all, care for, diligently, inquire, make inquisition, question,

A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship -- ask, X at all, care for, X diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-)mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), X surely.

אִדָּרֵ֖שׁ אִדָּרֵ֣שׁ אִדָּרֵ֥שׁ אֶדְר֣וֹשׁ אֶדְרְשֶׁ֑נּוּ אֶדְרֹ֔שׁ אֶדְרֹ֖שׁ אֶדְרֹ֣שׁ אֶדְרֹ֥שׁ אֶדְרֹֽשׁ׃ אדרוש אדרש אדרש׃ אדרשנו דְּ֝רוּשִׁ֗ים דְּרָשֽׁוּנִי׃ דְּרָשׁ֔וּם דְּרָשׁ־ דְּרֹ֤שׁ דְרַשְׁנֻ֖הוּ דְרַשְׁתִּ֑יךָ דְרָשֻֽׁהוּ׃ דְרוּשָׁ֔ה דִּרְשׁ֖וּנִי דִּרְשׁ֣וּ דִּרְשׁ֤וּ דִּרְשׁ֥וּ דִּרְשׁ֨וּ דִּרְשׁוּ־ דִרְשׁ֗וּ דִרְשׁ֨וּ דָּ֫רָ֥שְׁתִּי דָּ֭רְשָׁה דָּרְשׁ֣וֹ דָּרַ֕שְׁנוּ דָּרַ֛שׁ דָּרַ֣שְׁתִּי דָּרַ֥שׁ דָּרָ֔שׁ דָּרֹ֥שׁ דָּרֹ֨שׁ דָֽרְשׁ֔וּ דָרְשׁ֥וּ דָרַ֖שׁ דָרַ֙שְׁנוּ֙ דָרַ֙שְׁתָּ֙ דָרַ֣שְׁתָּ דָרַ֣שׁ דָרַ֥שׁ דָרָ֑שׁוּ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃ דָרָֽשׁוּ׃ דֹּ֝רֵ֗שׁ דֹּ֝רֵשׁ דֹּ֣רְשָׁ֑יו דֹּרְשֵׁ֥י דֹּרֵ֖שׁ דֹּרֵ֣שׁ דֹּרֵ֥שׁ דֹרְשֶׁ֣יךָ דֹרֵ֣שׁ דֹרֵ֧שׁ דֹּרְשָׁ֑יו דּוֹרֵ֖שׁ דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ דורש דרושה דרושים דרש דרש־ דרשה דרשהו׃ דרשו דרשו־ דרשו׃ דרשום דרשוני דרשוני׃ דרשי דרשיו דרשיך דרשנהו דרשנו דרשת דרשתי דרשתי׃ דרשתיך הֲלִדְרֹ֥שׁ הַאִדָּרֹ֥שׁ הַדֹּרֵ֔שׁ האדרש הדרש הלדרש וְ֝דָרְשׁ֗וּ וְֽדָרַשְׁתִּ֧י וְאֶדְרְשָׁה־ וְדִרְשׁ֔וּ וְדִרְשׁ֞וּ וְדָרְשׁ֤וּ וְדָרְשׁ֥וּ וְדָרַשְׁתִּ֥י וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֙ וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֣ וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֧ וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֨ וְדֹרְשֵׁ֣י וְדֹרְשֵׁ֥י וְדֹרֵ֖שׁ וְדֹרֵ֥שׁ וְיִדְרֹֽשׁ׃ וְנִדְרְשָׁ֖ה וְנִדְרְשָׁ֥ה וַֽיִּדְרְשׁוּ֙ וַיִּדְרְשֵׁ֥הוּ וַיִּדְרֹ֖שׁ וַיִּדְרֹ֣שׁ וּדְרָשׁ֑וּהוּ ואדרשה־ ודרש ודרשו ודרשוהו ודרשי ודרשת ודרשתי וידרש וידרש׃ וידרשהו וידרשו ונדרשה יִדְרְשֵׁ֣הוּ יִדְרְשֶׁ֜נּוּ יִדְרְשֽׁוּהוּ׃ יִדְרֹ֑שׁ יִדְרֹ֑שׁוּ יִדְרֹ֔שׁ יִדְרֹ֛שׁ יִדְרֹשׁ֔וּן יִדְרֽוֹשׁ׃ ידרוש׃ ידרש ידרשהו ידרשו ידרשוהו׃ ידרשון ידרשנו לְדַרְי֖וֹשׁ לְדָרְשֵׁ֑נִי לִדְר֕וֹשׁ לִדְר֖וֹשׁ לִדְר֛וֹשׁ לִדְר֣וֹשׁ לִדְר֤וֹשׁ לִדְרָשׁ־ לִדְרֹ֕שׁ לִדְרֹ֖שׁ לִדְרֹ֗שׁ לִדְרֹ֣שׁ לִדְרֹ֥שׁ לִדְרֹשׁ֩ לִדְרֹשׁ֮ לִדְרֽוֹשׁ׃ לִדְרוֹשׁ֩ לדרוש לדרוש׃ לדריוש לדרש לדרש־ לדרשני נִדְר֖וֹשׁ נִדְרַ֙שְׁתִּי֙ נִדְרָ֔שׁוּ נִדְרָֽשׁ׃ נדרוש נדרש׃ נדרשו נדרשתי תִּֽדְרוֹשׁ־ תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ׃ תִּדְרְשֶׁ֙נּוּ֙ תִּדְרְשֻׁ֙הוּ֙ תִּדְרְשׁוּ֙ תִּדְרֹ֨שׁ תִּדְרֹֽשׁ׃ תִדְרְשֶׁ֔נּוּ תִדְרְשֻׁ֖נִי תִדְרְשׁ֖וּ תִדְרְשׁ֧וּ תִדְרֹ֥שׁ תִדְרֽוֹשׁ׃ תדרוש־ תדרוש׃ תדרש תדרש׃ תדרשהו תדרשו תדרשנו תדרשנו׃ תדרשני ’eḏ·rə·šen·nū ’eḏ·rō·wōš ’eḏ·rōš ’eḏrəšennū ’eḏrōš ’eḏrōwōš ’id·dā·rêš ’iddārêš dā·rā·šə·tî ḏā·rā·šə·tî ḏā·rā·šū dā·raš dā·rāš ḏā·raš dā·raš·nū ḏā·raš·nū ḏā·raš·tā dā·raš·tî dā·rə·šāh dā·rə·šōw ḏā·rə·šū dā·rōš dāraš dārāš ḏāraš dārāšətî ḏārāšətî daRash daRasheti daRashnu daRashta daRashti daRashu dārašnū ḏārašnū ḏāraštā dāraštî ḏārāšū dārəšāh Dareshah dareSho dareShu dārəšōw ḏārəšū dārōš daRosh ḏə·rā·šu·hū də·rā·šū·nî də·rā·šūm də·rāš- ḏə·raš·nu·hū ḏə·raš·tî·ḵā də·rōš ḏə·rū·šāh də·rū·šîm dərāš- derashNuhu derashTicha deraShuhu deraShum deraShuni ḏərašnuhū ḏəraštîḵā ḏərāšuhū dərāšūm dərāšūnî dərōš deRosh ḏərūšāh deruShah deruShim dərūšîm dir·šū ḏir·šū dir·šū- dir·šū·nî dirShu dirShuni diršū ḏiršū diršū- diršūnî dō·rə·šāw dō·rə·šê ḏō·rə·še·ḵā dō·rêš ḏō·rêš dō·w·rêš dōrêš ḏōrêš dōrəšāw dōrəšê ḏōrəšeḵā doResh doreShav doreShei doreSheicha dōwrêš edreShennu edRoosh edRosh ha’iddārōš ha·’id·dā·rōš hă·liḏ·rōš had·dō·rêš haddōrêš haddoResh haiddaRosh hăliḏrōš halidRosh iddaResh lə·ḏā·rə·šê·nî lə·ḏar·yō·wōš ləḏārəšênî ledareSheni ledarYoosh ləḏaryōwōš liḏ·rāš- liḏ·rō·wōš liḏ·rōš liḏrāš- lidRoosh liḏrōš lidRosh lidroVosh liḏrōwōš niḏ·rā·šū niḏ·rāš niḏ·raš·tî niḏ·rō·wōš niḏrāš nidRash nidRashti nidRashu niḏraštî niḏrāšū nidRoosh niḏrōwōš tiḏ·rə·šen·nū ṯiḏ·rə·šen·nū tiḏ·rə·šū ṯiḏ·rə·šū tiḏ·rə·šu·hū ṯiḏ·rə·šu·nî ṯiḏ·rō·wōš tiḏ·rō·wōš- tiḏ·rōš ṯiḏ·rōš tiḏrəšennū ṯiḏrəšennū tidreShennu tidreShu tidreShuhu tidreShuni tiḏrəšū ṯiḏrəšū tiḏrəšuhū ṯiḏrəšunî tidRoosh tiḏrōš ṯiḏrōš tidRosh ṯiḏrōwōš tiḏrōwōš- ū·ḏə·rā·šū·hū uderaShuhu ūḏərāšūhū vaiyidreShehu vaiyidreShu vaiyidRosh vedarashTa vedarashTi vedareShu vedirShu vedoResh vedoreShei veedreshah venidreShah veyidRosh way·yiḏ·rə·šê·hū way·yiḏ·rə·šū way·yiḏ·rōš wayyiḏrəšêhū wayyiḏrəšū wayyiḏrōš wə’eḏrəšāh- wə·’eḏ·rə·šāh- wə·ḏā·raš·tā wə·ḏā·raš·tî wə·ḏā·rə·šū wə·ḏir·šū wə·ḏō·rə·šê wə·ḏō·rêš wə·niḏ·rə·šāh wə·yiḏ·rōš wəḏāraštā wəḏāraštî wəḏārəšū wəḏiršū wəḏōrêš wəḏōrəšê wəniḏrəšāh wəyiḏrōš yiḏ·rə·šê·hū yiḏ·rə·šen·nū yiḏ·rə·šū·hū yiḏ·rō·šū yiḏ·rō·šūn yiḏ·rō·wōš yiḏ·rōš yiḏrəšêhū yiḏrəšennū yidreShehu yidreShennu yidreShuhu yiḏrəšūhū yidRoosh yiḏrōš yidRosh yidRoshu yidroShun yiḏrōšū yiḏrōšūn yiḏrōwōšInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts