☀️
← Back to Lexicon
H1865 · Hebrew · Old Testament
דְּרוֹר
Deror
Noun, masculine
Liberty, freedom, release

Definition

The Hebrew word deror (דְּרוֹר) means liberty, release, or freedom — particularly the freedom proclaimed in the Year of Jubilee when slaves were released and debts forgiven. It may derive from a word meaning to flow freely, like a swallow in flight. It appears in Leviticus 25 as the Jubilee proclamation and is taken up by the prophets as a picture of ultimate liberation.

Usage & Theological Significance

Deror is the Jubilee word — it encapsulates Israel's experience of freedom from bondage. God commanded Israel to 'proclaim liberty throughout the land' (Leviticus 25:10), words famously inscribed on America's Liberty Bell. Isaiah 61:1 uses deror to describe the Messiah's mission — releasing captives and proclaiming freedom — a passage Jesus read in the Nazareth synagogue to announce His ministry (Luke 4:18–19). Christ is the ultimate Jubilee, canceling the debt of sin and releasing humanity from bondage.

Key Bible Verses

Leviticus 25:10 Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you.
Isaiah 61:1 He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Jeremiah 34:8 The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom for the slaves.
Ezekiel 46:17 But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor... to proclaim freedom for the prisoners.

Related Words

🌙
☀️