The verb dachah means to push or thrust, often with force or violence — to drive someone away, to topple, to cause to stumble or fall. It describes a forceful expulsion or repulsion. The word can be used of physical pushing, the stumbling of the feet, or the metaphorical rejection of a person from God's presence or favor.
The theological import of dachah is sobering: God can thrust away the wicked (Psalm 118:13; Proverbs 14:32), and the fear of being cast from his presence was a real dread for covenant people (cf. Psalm 51:11). Yet the flip side is grace — even when people stumble, God promises not to let the righteous be utterly cast down (Psalm 37:24). The ultimate answer to being pushed away from God is found in Christ, who bore the rejection we deserved so that we might be welcomed.