Understanding Δαβίδ (David) Strong’s G1138: The Royal Ancestor of Messiah and Beloved Man After God’s Heart

Pronunciation Guide: dah-VEED (with emphasis on the second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1138: Δαβίδ (David) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name דָּוִד (David), referring to Israel’s greatest king, a man after God’s own heart, and the royal ancestor of Yeshua the Messiah. This name carries profound significance throughout Scripture as David represents the ideal king whose dynasty culminates in the Messiah’s eternal reign. In the New Testament, Yeshua is frequently identified as “Son of David,” emphasizing His royal lineage and messianic identity.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Proper Noun
• Origin: Hebrew דָּוִד (David), meaning “beloved” or “beloved one”
• Usage Context: Historical narratives, genealogies, prophecies, and messianic references
• Language Origin: Hebrew name transliterated into Greek
• Semantic Domain: Royal figures, Messianic lineage, covenant promises

Δαβίδ Morphology:

• Δαβίδ (nominative form) – David (as subject)
• τοῦ Δαβίδ (genitive form) – of David
• τῷ Δαβίδ (dative form) – to/for David
• τὸν Δαβίδ (accusative form) – David (as object)

Origin & History

The name Δαβίδ is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew דָּוִד (David), which likely derives from the root דוד (d-v-d), meaning “beloved” or “beloved one.” This etymology reflects David’s special relationship with God as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). In the Septuagint (LXX), the name appears consistently as Δαυίδ with a slight spelling variation from the New Testament form, but still preserving the pronunciation and significance of the Hebrew original.

In classical Greek literature, the name Δαβίδ does not appear prior to the Septuagint translation, as David was a distinctly Hebrew historical figure. However, following the translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek (3rd-2nd centuries BCE), his name became known in the broader Hellenistic world. Early church fathers like Justin Martyr in his “Dialogue with Trypho” and Clement of Alexandria in “Stromata” frequently referenced David as a prophetic figure who foretold the coming of the Messiah through his psalms.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Historical King – The second king of Israel who established Jerusalem as the capital and prepared for the Temple’s construction
• Messianic Ancestor – The progenitor of the royal line from which the Messiah would come
• Prophetic Voice – Author of many psalms and recipient of divine covenant promises
• Spiritual Type – A model of repentance, worship, and intimate relationship with God
• Covenant Representative – The recipient of God’s unconditional covenant promising an eternal dynasty

Δαβίδ Translation Options:

• David – The standard transliteration that maintains recognition of this important biblical figure
• House of David (οἶκος Δαβίδ) – Often used to emphasize the royal lineage and dynastic aspect
• Son of David (υἱὸς Δαβίδ) – Specifically references Yeshua’s messianic title and royal heritage
• Root/Shoot of David (ῥίζα Δαβίδ) – Metaphorical description emphasizing Messiah’s royal origin
• Throne of David (θρόνος Δαβίδ) – Emphasizes the royal authority and kingdom promised to David’s descendant

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, Δαβίδ appears approximately 59 times, with significant concentration in the genealogies of Messiah (Matthew 1, Luke 3) and messianic references. The first appearance in Matthew 1:1 immediately establishes Yeshua’s royal credentials as “son of David,” connecting Him to the messianic promises. This connection is reinforced throughout the Gospels when people address Yeshua as “Son of David” in recognition of His messianic identity.

The Apostolic writers frequently quote David’s psalms as prophetic of the Messiah, and reference the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) as finding its fulfillment in Yeshua. In the book of Acts, both Peter and Paul emphasize that God’s promises to David are fulfilled in the resurrection and exaltation of Yeshua. The Davidic lineage serves as a crucial link between the Old Covenant promises and their New Covenant fulfillment in Messiah.

• “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David [υἱοῦ Δαβίδ], the son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1
• “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David [υἱὲ Δαβίδ], have mercy on me!'” Mark 10:47
• “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David [Δαβίδ].” Luke 1:32
• “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David [Δαβίδ], that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.” Acts 2:29
• “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ…” Acts 2:30-31
• “I will give you the sure mercies of David [Δαβίδ].” Acts 13:34
• “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David [Δαβίδ], was raised from the dead according to my gospel.” 2 Timothy 2:8

Cultural Insights

In ancient Israelite culture, David represented the ideal monarch whose reign was viewed as a golden age for the nation. This cultural memory had profound implications for Jewish messianic expectations. By the first century CE, the title “Son of David” had become explicitly messianic, carrying the hope of a restored Davidic kingdom that would overthrow foreign oppression and establish God’s rule on earth. When crowds called Yeshua “Son of David,” they were making a political and theological declaration about His identity as the promised Messiah.

The significance of David extends beyond his political role to his spiritual contributions. As the traditional author of many psalms, David established patterns of worship and prayer that profoundly shaped Jewish spiritual life. The Hebrew expression “Sweet Singer of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1) reflects his importance in establishing liturgical traditions that continued through the Second Temple period and into rabbinic Judaism. Many of these psalms were understood messianically, with David prophetically speaking in the voice of his greater Son who would come centuries later.

Theological Significance

Theologically, Δαβίδ functions as a linchpin connecting God’s covenant with Israel and His universal redemptive plan through Messiah. The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) establishes the promise of an eternal throne that ultimately finds fulfillment in Yeshua’s everlasting kingdom. This covenant demonstrates יהוה’s faithfulness to His promises across generations and His sovereign control over history, working through human lineage to bring forth the promised Redeemer.

David also serves as a profound theological type of Messiah. His life prefigures aspects of Messiah’s experience, including being anointed by God, suffering before exaltation, and establishing a kingdom of righteousness. Yet the New Testament also emphasizes how Messiah transcends David – as Yeshua Himself points out when quoting Psalm 110, where David calls his descendant “Lord” (Matthew 22:41-45). This reveals the divine nature of the Messiah who, while being David’s son according to the flesh, is also David’s Lord according to His deity.

The concept of the “key of David” in Revelation 3:7 further develops this theological significance, showing that Messiah possesses absolute authority over entrance into the Kingdom of God. This imagery draws from Isaiah 22:22 and demonstrates that Yeshua, as the ultimate heir to David’s throne, has the sovereign authority to open doors that no one can shut and shut doors that no one can open.

Personal Application

Understanding the significance of Δαβίδ invites us to recognize the perfect faithfulness of God across generations. Just as יהוה kept His covenant promise to David by sending Yeshua as the ultimate King, He remains faithful to His promises to us today. When we face uncertainty or doubt, we can remember that God’s redemptive plan has unfolded with perfect precision through centuries, and we can trust Him with our present circumstances and future hopes.

Additionally, David’s life offers a powerful example of authentic relationship with God. Despite his failures and sins, David maintained a heart of worship, repentance, and dependence on יהוה. His psalms give us language to express our deepest emotions to God—whether joy, sorrow, anger, or praise. When we struggle to draw near to God, we can turn to David’s words and find a guide for genuine, transformative communion with the Almighty. The God who called David “a man after My own heart” invites us into the same intimate relationship through our faith in Messiah Yeshua.

Related Words

• Χριστός (Christos, khris-TOS) – The Greek equivalent of “Messiah” meaning “Anointed One,” frequently paired with Δαβίδ in the phrase “Son of David” to emphasize Yeshua’s messianic identity and fulfillment of promises made to David. See G5547
• Βασιλεύς (Basileus, bah-sih-LOOS) – Meaning “king,” this term connects to David’s royal status and the promise of Messiah’s eternal kingship as the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic throne. See G935
• Υἱός (Huios, hwee-OS) – Meaning “son,” often used in the phrase “Son of David” to identify Yeshua as the royal heir to David’s covenant promises. See G5207
• Ῥίζα (Rhiza, hrid-ZAH) – Meaning “root,” used to describe Messiah as the “Root of David” in Revelation, emphasizing both His origin from David’s line and paradoxically His preexistence as David’s source. See G4491
• Θρόνος (Thronos, THRO-nos) – Meaning “throne,” frequently associated with David in references to the promised eternal kingdom of his descendant, the Messiah. See G2362

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the name Δαβίδ (David) literally means “beloved” in Hebrew? This meaning beautifully captures David’s special relationship with God as “a man after God’s own heart” and foreshadows the Father’s declaration concerning Yeshua at His baptism: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The linguistic connection between David’s name and God’s description of Yeshua creates a profound link between the great king and the greater King who would come from his line.
• Did you know that in ancient Jewish tradition, the Messiah was sometimes referred to simply as “David”? Based on prophecies like Ezekiel 34:23-24 (“I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David”), some rabbinical writings spoke of the Messiah as “David” himself rather than merely a descendant. This reflects the concept that the Messiah would embody the ideal qualities of David’s kingship in their perfect form, serving as a “new David” who would shepherd God’s people eternally.
• Did you know that Jerusalem is still called the “City of David” to this day? The original site where David established his capital is located in the oldest part of Jerusalem, just south of the Temple Mount. Archaeological excavations continue to uncover artifacts from David’s reign, including the remains of what may have been his palace. This physical connection to David’s historical reality reminds us that biblical faith is grounded in actual historical events—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob worked through real people in real places to bring about His redemptive purposes.

Remember This

The name Δαβίδ echoes through Scripture not merely as a historical reference but as a divine promise fulfilled—the humble shepherd who became king points us to the Good Shepherd who reigns eternally, Yeshua the Messiah, the ultimate Son of David who establishes God’s kingdom without end.