The Meaning of Drash (דרש)

You may have noticed the post labeled דרש Drash - Diligently Seeking Truth.  The Hebraic thought within this beautiful word will have a tremendous impact on your own personal study of Holy Writ, as it has mine.  

Shall we?

Drash (Strongs #1875) - to frequent a place; to make a well-worn path (as unto the LORD); to seek, inquire, diligently search out; to worship

Here is the history of Yitz'chak, Avraham's son. Avraham fathered Yitz'chak. Yitz'chak was forty years old when he took Rivkah, the daughter of B'tu'el the Arami from Paddan-Aram and sister of Lavan the Arami, to be his wife. Yitz'chak prayed to ADONAI on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. ADONAI heeded his prayer, and Rivkah became pregnant. The children fought with each other inside her so much that she said, "If it's going to be like this, why go on living?" 

So she went to inquire of ADONAI...

~ Genesis 25:19-22 (CJB)

In the above passage we can see that Rivkah (Rebekah) made a well-worn path to the LORD.  She did not simply come before Him nonchalantly.  The distress of the fighting sons within her womb drove her to diligently seek ADONAI.  Can you see the imagery of her insistent and persistent coming before the LORD that she might understand His divine plans for her family?

This word drash is also used in Jeremiah 29:13:

When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly;

Jeremiah 29:13 (CJB)

The first 'seek' in the passage is a different Hebrew word 'baqash' meaning of course, to seek.  However, the second 'seek' in the passage is 'drash' and implies a more intense searching out.  You can see how this type of seeking is purposefully differentiated from the former because this is done wholeheartedly in complete abandonment, diligently making a well-worn path to the LORD for comfort, counsel and understanding!

Healing, Hope-Filled, Holy Love and Its transforming Power is found in Drash because ADONAI is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  He is faithful to His children and rewards the wholehearted study of His Life-Giving Word.  I have heard it said that 'everybody has as much of God as they want'.  Perhaps most of us settle for far too little too much of the time.  

And without trusting, it is impossible to be well pleasing to God, because whoever approaches Him must trust that He does exist and that He becomes a Rewarder to those who seek Him out.

Hebrews 11:6 (CJB)

Furthermore, Hebraic understanding is steeped in imagery and functionality of a person (as in their Hebrew given name possessing great meaning), place, or thing for the purpose of teaching and acknowledging the deeper truths of Scripture.  Thus, even as a Hebrew studies Torah (The Instruction of YHWH - not simply 'law'), he is aware of the difference between a p'shat and a drash study of the Scriptures.  In addition, there are also two other widely-known types of Hebraic study that we will not explore at this time.

A p'shat is the 'plain, simple meaning' of the text that is found on the surface.   The p'shat is the keystone of Scriptural understanding.  Without the p'shat one can easily fall into eisogesis (reading your own meaning into the text) in their studies, rather than proper exegesis (deriving meaning from the text itself).  Discarding the p'shat has led to much erroneous teaching and misinterpretation of the Holy Scriptures causing a division of the people It intended to unify.

A d'rash or drash (derash) is the 'deeper teaching or exposition' of the p'shat.  Many of us never 'dig' for this in our studies of God's Liberating Word.  Thus, we fail to gain the great riches He has for those who diligently seek Him through the study of His Word (Hebrews 11:6).  

And what does our Faithful Father and Rewarder reward us with?  Life, Liberty, Freedom from captivity!  

For we are all held captive until the LORD sets us really and unquestionably free in His Presence (John 8:31-37).

15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 "But," says the Torah, "whenever someone turns to ADONAI, the veil is taken away." 17 Now, "ADONAI" in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of ADONAI is, there is freedom. ~ 2 Corinthians 15-17

How can two walk together unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3)  ADONAI, become our Rewarder as we tread out a well-worn path after You.

Won't you come with me?

Faithful Father, I thank You that You see fit to make known to us the hidden manna of Your Word that sustains our very lives!  You also have a well-spring of Living Water to quench the thirst of our parched souls.  Abba YHWH, I pray that each person reading these words today begins making well-worn paths to Your Throne in the study of Your Truth, rather than quick pit stops.  We need more of Your Liberating Power and Love in our lives for the sake of Your Great Name.  Amen