Original Word: דֹּב
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: dob
Pronunciation: dohv
Phonetic Spelling: (dobe)
KJV: bear
NASB: bear, bears
Word Origin: [from H1680 (דָּבַב - flowing gently)]

1. the bear (as slow)

bear

Or (fully) dowb {dobe}; from dabab; the bear (as slow) -- bear.

see HEBREW dabab

Word Origin
from dabab
Definition
a bear
NASB Translation
bear (10), bears (2).

דֹּב noun masculine^{Proverbs 28:15}, feminine^{2Kings 2:24 (seldom)} bear (from soft or gliding motion, Late Hebrew id., Ethiopic Assyrian dabû (?) Dl^{S 55}; Aramaic דּוּבָּא, ; Arabic , , is however a loan-word compare Hom^{NS 301 f.}); — absolute דֹּב Amos 5:19 5t.; דּוֺב 1 Samuel 17:34 2t.; plural דֻּבִּים 2 Kings 2:24; Isaiah 59:11; — bear, female 2 Kings 2:24; 2 Samuel 17:8; Proverbs 17:12; Hosea 13:8 compare Isaiah 11:7; undetermined 1 Samuel 17:34,36,37; Amos 5:19; Proverbs 28:15; Isaiah 59:11; Lamentations 3:10,10 (on article 1 Samuel 17:34; Amos 5:19 compare RS^{Sem, i. 119 n}.)

דּוֺב bear, see below דבב.

דוג, דַּוָּג, דּוּגָה see below דגה

דוד (√ assumed for following, which however perhaps primitive caressing word, Fl NHWB^{i. 439} swing, rock, dandle, fondle, love; > Thes Dietr^{Semitic Wortforsch. 277} MV, who connect with דּוּד (compare below) compare Syriac disturb).

דֹּב noun [masculine] bear (so ᵑ7 Biblical Hebrew √ דבב; Syriac ); — absolute ׳ד Daniel 7:5.

Zoological Background

The Hebrew term דֹּב (dōb) denotes the bear, most likely the Syrian brown bear that once roamed the mountains and forests of the Levant. Weighing up to three hundred kilograms and standing over two meters when reared, this predator was both feared and respected. Scripture’s familiarity with the animal reflects the realities of shepherding and agrarian life in ancient Israel, where an unattended flock or traveler might encounter a bear, particularly a sow with cubs.

Manifestations in Historical Narratives

David’s testimony before Saul reveals the pastoral threat the bear posed (1 Samuel 17:34–37). The young shepherd recounts seizing a lamb “from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear,” crediting his victory to the LORD’s deliverance. The account authenticates David’s courage and underscores divine enablement, foreshadowing the greater triumph over Goliath.

A generation later, the incident at Bethel (2 Kings 2:24) records two female bears mauling forty-two mockers of Elisha. The narrative is not a capricious display of power but a sobering defense of prophetic authority, affirming that contempt for God’s word invites judgment.

Wisdom Literature and Moral Instruction

Proverbs mines the bear’s ferocity to communicate moral truths.
• “Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly” (Proverbs 17:12). The comparison warns that unchecked folly is more destructive than raw animal rage.
• “Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people” (Proverbs 28:15). Unjust leadership crushes the vulnerable with the same intimidation a bear exerts over prey.

Prophetic Analogies of Wrath and Deliverance

Prophets employ דֹּב both to threaten and to console.
• Hosea depicts covenant judgment: “Like a bear deprived of her cubs, I will attack them and rip them open” (Hosea 13:8). The imagery communicates the ferocious love of God whose jealousy tolerates no rival.
• Amos 5:19 pictures the inexorability of divine justice—fleeing a lion only to meet a bear.
• Isaiah 59:11 compares Judah’s frustrated longing for justice to bears that growl in hunger, a lament over sin’s consequences.

Eschatological Vision of Peace

Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy reverses the bear’s menace: “The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together” (Isaiah 11:7). Predatory instinct is tamed, illustrating the comprehensive shalom Messiah will usher in—a restored creation free of violence.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Dependence on God’s deliverance. David’s confidence encourages believers to trust the LORD amid formidable adversaries.
2. Reverence for prophetic authority. The Bethel episode warns against trivializing holy things and supports disciplined church life.
3. Discernment in leadership. Proverbs calls for rulers who guide rather than intimidate, informing pastoral oversight and civic engagement.
4. Urgency of repentance. Prophetic bear imagery highlights the peril of presuming upon grace; today’s proclamation must include both comfort and warning.
5. Hope of cosmic renewal. Isaiah 11 energizes ministry with the assurance that the gospel ultimately pacifies every hostile force, transforming even nature itself.

Related Imagery and Theological Connections

Though Daniel 7:5 (Aramaic דֹב) lies outside the twelve Hebrew occurrences, its apocalyptic bear reinforces the motif of cruel empire, balanced by Christ’s final dominion. New Testament passages liken false teachers to savage beasts (Acts 20:29), echoing Old Testament bear symbolism and urging vigilant shepherding.

In sum, דֹּב serves Scripture as a vivid emblem of peril, discipline, and—by God’s promise—future peace. Whether stalking a Judean hillside or prowling the prophetic imagination, the bear reminds the faithful of their Protector’s strength, the seriousness of His holiness, and the certainty of His coming reign.

דֹּ֣ב דֻּבִּים֙ דב דבים הַדֹּ֑ב הַדֹּ֔ב הַדּ֔וֹב הַדּ֖וֹב הדב הדוב וְדֹ֣ב וָדֹב֙ ודב כְּדֹ֣ב כְּדֹ֥ב כַדֻּבִּים֙ כדב כדבים chaddubBim do dōḇ dub·bîm dubBim dubbîm had·dō·wḇ had·dōḇ hadDo haddōḇ hadDov haddōwḇ ḵad·dub·bîm ḵaddubbîm kə·ḏōḇ keDo kəḏōḇ vaDo veDo wā·ḏōḇ wāḏōḇ wə·ḏōḇ wəḏōḇInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts