Darash is the verb behind midrash, the Jewish tradition of deep textual inquiry. But the word predates the rabbinic method. In the Tanakh, darash means to seek with intent, to inquire with purpose, to pursue knowledge of HaShem not as academic exercise but as covenantal obligation. When 2 Chronicles 7:14 says "if my people seek my face," the verb is darash. When Ezra 7:10 says Ezra set his heart to study the Torah of YHWH, the verb is darash. This is not casual reading. It is disciplined, directional pursuit of the God who gave the instruction. The opposite of darash is drift.