דְּבוֹרָה
de.vo.rah
bee
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word, דְּבוֹרָה (Devorah), has a literal meaning of a "bee". Its semantic domain is classified under "Animals & Creatures", indicating its connection to the natural world. With four occurrences in the Bible, this word demonstrates a relatively limited but focused use in scripture. Given its literal meaning and classification, the word דְּבוֹרָה is likely used to convey a sense of industriousness, social organization, and potentially a connection to royalty or authority, as bees are often associated with the queen and their complex societal structures. The significance of this word lies in its potential use as a metaphor or symbol, rather than a direct description of a creature. Its use in the Bible may indicate that the writer is using the bee as a representation of leadership, social order, or collective action.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences across the text
They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In Yahweh’s name I cut them off.
Isaiah 7:18It will happen in that day that Yahweh will whistle for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
Deuteronomy 1:44The Amorites, who lived in that hill country, came out against you and chased you as bees do, and beat you down in Seir, even to Hormah.
Judges 14:8After a while he returned to take her, and he went over to see the carcass of the lion; and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey.