Means to tread or beat a path (hence 'to frequent'), and by extension to seek with care, inquire, investigate, or require. Distinguished from bāqash (H1245), which emphasizes desire, dārash emphasizes investigation and study. It is the root of midrash — the Jewish tradition of careful scriptural interpretation.
The command to dārash YHWH is a call to active, studious, devoted pursuit — not passive waiting but intentional inquiry. 'Seek (dirshû) the LORD while he may be found' (Isa 55:6) implies a window of opportunity and urgency. Ezra 'set his heart to seek (lidrōsh) the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach' (Ezra 7:10) — the paradigm of faithful Torah study. God 'requires' (dōrēsh) blood at the hand of the murderer (Gen 9:5), and 'requires' nothing of His people but justice, mercy, and humble walking (Mic 6:8, using dārash conceptually). The word establishes that knowing God is not mystical passivity but disciplined, diligent inquiry into His word and will.