The difference between the two words is in their indirection, like {lend} vs {borrow}. In some regions of the world where English is used creolized, people might say, "Can you borrow me some money?"
Even the word {indirection} exhibits such a conflict. Traditionally the word is an action noun for {indirect}, or {lack of direction}. However, in information science, {indirection} is the path of reference taken to address an entity. i.e., {indirection} has taken on an interesting meaning of having a vectored direction to address an entity indirectly.
In {borrow}, the indirect vector is the borrower seeking for and then receiving. In {lend}, the indirect vector is the lender being sought and then providing. Where the target of the indirect vectors is the entity to borrowed and lent.
The indirect vector of {בקש} is the {bkesh}er seeking to receive. Whereas the {דרש} is the {dresh}er being sought to provide.
- Borrower = solicitor; Lender = solicitee;
- {בקש} = solicitor action; {דרש} = solicitee action;
Certainly one could lend without being solicited. Just as one could provide {בקש} without being sought for.
You have to note the grammatical indirections of the two words in Jer 29:13.
{בקשתם} with 2ndP plural masc {תם} suffix indicating action by the solicitor. {בקשתם אתי} = ya'll solicit of me.
similarly {מצאתם} where {מצא} = {find, discover}
But {תדרשני} has 1stP singular associative/dative {ֻנִי} suffix, and 2nd/3rdP cohortative/incomplete {ת} prefix. The incomplete imbuing the attitude, to wish. Meaning = ya'll/you wish my-command/guidance. Note that there is no need for (and should not be) the preposition {אתי = of me} after {תדרשני} because the indirection is already implied.
Note in verse 14, it is no longer {מצאתם} but {נמצאתי}. With the simple passive stative {נ} prefix and the 1stP singular completed-particple {תי} suffix, stating that {I be found/discovered}.
Note that in modern Hebrew {בבקשה} is a polite form of saying {may I?}, {Excuse me, may I?}. May I pass thro? May I ask you if you wish to have this cup of tea/hors d'oeuvres? Or in rude circumstances - excuse me, pls shaddap, let me speak.
Compare with Jer 37:7,
- כה תאמרו אל מלך יהודה השלח אתכם אלי לדרשני הנה
- Thus shall you say to king of judah, the-one-sending you to me for my-response.
I realise that translators would simply translate {לדרשני} as {to inquire of me}. But. compare use of associative in Numbers 11:15 {הרגני נא הרג} = {killing-of-me please kill} = please execute killing of me.
The difference between the two words
- {בקשני} = my request
- {דרשני} = my response, my guidance, my providing information
Here is the pattern verses 12,13,14:
- וקראתם אתי והלכתם והתפללתם אלי
- when you call to me, and you come and you prostrate/pray to me
- ושמעתי אליכם
- ובקשתם אֹתי ומצאתם
- when you request of me and you seek-to-find
- כי תדרשני בכל לבבכם
- that you wish/want my-response/guidance with all your hearts
- ונמצאתי לכם
The passage indicates that it is not sufficient to seek, but also to want the response to that seeking.
One must be extremely careful to note the change of indirection due to passive voice, and causative inflection.
Grammatical cross-references
- {דָּרַשׁ DaRaSh} = active, provide guidance/instruction
- {דָּרֹשׁ DaRoSh} = passive participle, the guidance given
- (caution: Stackoverflow's font overlaps/confuses nikudot of resh and shim)
- e.g. {כתב KoTaV} = write,
- but passive participle {כתוב KTUV} = that which is written = writings
- {דִרְשׁוּ DiRShU} = imperative active causative
- causative: causes instruction to be given = get instructions
- imperative causative: commanded to get instructions
- (caution: Stackoverflow needs to improve the nikud font. That is a shva not a xiriq beneath the resh)
Levi 10:16
- ואת שעיר החטאת דָּרֹשׁ (DaRoSh)
- then instruction of the hairy-goat of consecration
- דָּרַשׁ משה והנה שרף (DaRaSh)
- Moses instructing and hence is burnt
- Note the {דָּרֹשׁ דָּרַשׁ}. They are not a doublet emphasis as the translations would have it. They are grammatically different.
- {דָּרֹשׁ דָּרַשׁ = DaRoSh DaRaSh} = Moses giving instruction on the passive-participle-item instruction
- Moses instructed with instructions
Deut 11:12
- ארץ אשר יי אלהיך
- land which Hashem your G'd
- דֹּרֵשׁ אתה תמיד עיני (DoResh, simple active)
- provides-guidance for her always
Deut 22:2
- והיה עמך עד
- then it be with you until
- דְּרֹשׁ אחיך אתו (DRoSh)
- your brother's information-being-asked
- והשבתו לו
Deut 23:21
- לא תאחר לשלמו
- do not delay to complete/fulfill it
- כי דָּרֹשׁ
- יִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ יי אלהיך
- shall He Hashem your G'd cause-information-providing
- מעמך
2 Kings 1:2
- לכו דִרְשׁ֗וּ בבעל זבוב
- go for cause-instruction-providing in flying-lord
- אלהי עקרו