דׇּרְבוֹן

# The Hebrew Word דׇּרְבוֹן (Darbōn) The Hebrew word *darbōn* refers to a goad—a pointed stick or rod used to drive animals, particularly oxen. Based on the lexical data, this term appears only once in the biblical text, making it a rare word in Hebrew scripture. The specific implement it describes was a practical tool in ancient agricultural and pastoral societies, serving the functional purpose of directing livestock during work or travel. The single occurrence of *darbōn* in the Bible limits our ability to establish a broader semantic range or to observe how the term's meaning might have varied across different contexts. However, the straightforward definition—a goad—indicates this was a direct, concrete term for a recognizable object rather than a metaphorical or abstract concept. Its rarity in biblical literature suggests that while such tools were undoubtedly common in daily life, Hebrew writers did not frequently employ this particular word, perhaps preferring other terms or simply having less occasion to reference this implement in the surviving texts. For modern readers, understanding *darbōn* provides a window into the material culture and economic practices of ancient Israel, where agriculture and animal husbandry were central to survival and commerce. The tool itself represents the practical relationship between humans and domesticated animals in the ancient world.