Hebrew Word Study – Cling – Deveq – דְבָּ֔ק Daleth Beth Qop

Deuteronomy 10:20: “You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name.”

I would like to focus on just one word in this verse.  It is the word “cling.”   In the Hebrew this word is “devekut.”   To render this word as “cling” is really selling this word short.  It is not like clinging to a rock or tree during a storm so you do not get blown away.  This is an expression of love and respect.  It is an embrace or a hug.  When I find this word “devekut” while reading in my Hebrew Bible, I always render it as a hug. In other words, I would render this verse as: “You shall fear the Lord your God, you shall serve Him and you shall hug Him…”  

Rabbinic literature teaches that a devekut is a high and deep stage of spiritual development where the seeker attaches himself or herself to God and exchanges individuality for a profound partnership with the Holy One.  The force behind a davekut is the love of God and the desire for intimacy or closeness with God. 

Many Orthodox Jews view the requirements of the Sabbath as the “gift” of the Sabbath.  The requirements are not a burdensome bother filled with restrictions, but an opportunity to draw closer to God to enter into a davekut.   The do’s and don’ts of the laws are opportunities to connect with God.  This is why David said in Psalms 1:2: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”  

How can anyone get so excited about laws?  David could because the law of God was an opportunity to enter into a devekut with God. The law is the gateway to a devekut, or a hug from God. 

Consider the “gift” of the Sabbath.  Why do you keep the Sabbath?  Why do you go to church?  Some people see it as an obligation to maybe win some favor with God so they can get some blessing, good luck, or go to heaven.  For others, it is an opportunity to draw closer to God.

You do not get to heaven by keeping the law.  You can only get to heaven through the finished work of Jesus Christ.  The law, however, is the way of getting to know this Jesus who is taking you to heaven.  As the old saying goes: “To know Him is to love Him.”  When you start loving Him then you start to desire a devekut or a hug. 

We must take note that God is not calling us to cling to Him like a parasite. We do not cling to him like a leech to your leg. This thing is two-sided. God will cling to us if we cling to him. He will give us a hug if we give Him a hug.  The picture is of two lovers embracing each other.  Devekut is not a group hug.  It is a hug between two individuals, you and God. When God embraces you it is as if there is no other being in this universe than you.  He gives you his full, complete attention in a devekut.

God does not live in time.  He does not know the barriers of the past or the future.  Thus, He can move back and forth through time.  He can spend each second and moment with you and then just move through time and spend each second and moment with me.  That is how He is omnipresent.  Therefore, you have His complete and full attention every second of your life. He has nothing else to do but stand in front of you with His arms open wide,  waiting for you to step into those arms so He can give you a hug or a devekut.  

We come to God with a lot of “give me’s.”  But, sometimes to protect the heart of the one you love, the easiest thing to do is to give that person a hug. To protect the heart of the God you love, you need to take a little time to enter into a devekut and allow Him to give you a hug and for you to give Him a hug in return.  Fear the Lord, serve the Lord, and while you are at it give Him a hug. 

Author’s Note:  This study is found in Chaim’s Amazon Best Selling Book: Hebrew Word Study – Revealing the Heart of God.  For more such studies consider purchasing this book, now being offered on audio. 

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