da.rash is to pursue God or other sources for guidance, and in some contexts to investigate, require, or seek out.

The dominant usage describes turning to and pursuing the LORD, often with one’s heart, for his presence, direction, or response. Other contexts extend the verb to consulting a prophet, medium, deity, or the dead; to investigating or requiring an answer or obligation; and to seeking out persons, a flock, or a people.

1. Pursuing the LORD · dominant

   Qal imperatives, infinitives, and other forms repeatedly direct persons toward the LORD: in 1 Chronicles 16:11 the APB renders the paired commands “Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his face continually,” and in 2 Chronicles 15:12 the covenant is to seek him “with all their heart and with all their soul.” In 1 Chronicles 28:9, seeking him is set against forsaking him, with the stated result that he will be found.

   1 Chronicles 16:111 Chronicles 28:92 Chronicles 15:122 Chronicles 19:32 Chronicles 34:21Isaiah 31:1
2. Consulting for an answer or guidance · common

   The Qal forms can describe approaching a source for information: in 1 Kings 22:5 the APB renders the request, “Please seek the word of the LORD this day,” while 1 Samuel 28:7 concerns finding a medium so Saul may “inquire of her.” The same pursuit can be directed wrongly, as 2 Kings 1:2 sends messengers to seek Baal-zebub concerning recovery from sickness.

   1 Kings 22:51 Kings 22:71 Samuel 28:72 Kings 1:22 Kings 8:8Deuteronomy 18:11
3. Investigating or requiring an account · occasional

   In legal and obligation-setting clauses, the verb concerns demanding or examining what is due. In Deuteronomy 19:18 the APB renders that the judges “shall investigate thoroughly,” and in Deuteronomy 18:19 the speaker says, “I myself will require it of him” from the one who does not listen. Genesis 42:22 uses a Niphal participle where the boy’s blood “is required.”

   Deuteronomy 19:18Deuteronomy 18:19Genesis 42:222 Chronicles 24:6Deuteronomy 23:22
4. Seeking out people or what benefits them · occasional

   The verb can concern locating, recovering, or pursuing the welfare of a person or group. In Ezekiel 34:10 the APB renders the first-person Qal form, “I will seek my flock from their hand,” after the shepherds had not sought the flock in Ezekiel 34:8. In 1 Chronicles 26:31, a Niphal perfect is rendered “they were sought out,” and Esther 10:3 describes Mordecai “seeking good for his people.”

   Ezekiel 34:8Ezekiel 34:101 Chronicles 26:31Esther 10:3Isaiah 62:12

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the verb with “seek,” but also uses “inquire,” “investigate,” “require,” and passive wording such as “sought out.” Because the translation gives whole-verse renderings rather than word alignment, these English choices indicate the clauses’ contexts rather than fixed equivalents.