Word Studies¶
Aramaic Terms (Daniel 7)¶
דִּין (din) -- H1780 -- Aramaic: Judgment¶
Original: דִּין Transliteration: dîyn Pronunciation: deen Part of Speech: Masculine noun BLB Count: 5 occurrences
Definition: (Aramaic) corresponding to H1779; judgment.
Full Lexicon Entry (BDB): Absolute דּ׳ Daniel 4:34 = justice (of ways of God); emphatic דִּינָה מִתְעֲבֵד מִנֵּהּ Ezra 7:26 "judgment be executed upon him"; דִּינָא = judges, court Daniel 7:10, 26; Daniel 7:22 (reading וְד׳ יְהִב [יְתִב וְשָׁלְטָנָא], Ew Bev Kmp Dr); MT however = "judgment was given in favour of."
Translations: | Count | Translation | |-------|------------| | 2 (40%) | judgment | | 1 (20%) | the judgment | | 1 (20%) | and judgment | | 1 (20%) | But the judgment |
Key Verses: - Dan 4:37 -- "judgment" (justice of God's ways) - Dan 7:10 -- "the judgment was set" (דִּינָא יְתִב -- literally "the judgment sat") - Dan 7:22 -- "judgment was given to the saints" - Dan 7:26 -- "But the judgment shall sit" - Ezra 7:26 -- "judgment be executed upon him"
Significance for Daniel 7: The word דִּינָא (dina) appears at three critical junctures: 1. Dan 7:10 -- "the judgment was set" (דִּינָא יְתִב, literally "the judgment sat/took its seat") 2. Dan 7:22 -- "judgment was given to the saints" 3. Dan 7:26 -- "the judgment shall sit" (repeating the seated-court image) The Aramaic construction דִּינָא יְתִב pictures judgment as a court that "takes its seat" -- a judicial proceeding, not a momentary act.
עַתִּיק (attiyq) -- H6268 -- Aramaic: Ancient/Advanced in Days¶
Original: עַתִּיק Transliteration: ʻattîyq Pronunciation: at-teek Part of Speech: Adjective BLB Count: 3 occurrences (all in Daniel 7)
Definition: (Aramaic) corresponding to H6267; venerable; advanced, aged.
Full Lexicon Entry (BDB): Construct (מַיָּא-) יוֺמִין ע׳ "one advanced, aged, in days" Daniel 7:9, Daniel 7:13, Daniel 7:22 (compare Syriac Ecclus 25:4).
Translations: | Count | Translation | |-------|------------| | 2 (66.7%) | Ancient | | 1 (33.3%) | and the Ancient |
Key Verses: - Dan 7:9 -- "the Ancient of days did sit" (עַתִּיק יוֹמִין יְתִב) - Dan 7:13 -- "came to the Ancient of days" (עַד עַתִּיק יוֹמַיָּא מְטָה) - Dan 7:22 -- "until the Ancient of days came" (עַד דִּי אֲתָה עַתִּיק יוֹמַיָּא)
Hebrew Cognate (H6267): עַתִּיק -- same word in Biblical Hebrew, meaning "ancient, removed." Only 2 occurrences: 1 Chr 4:22 and Isa 28:9. Root: H6275 (עתק, to advance, move forward).
Significance: The title "Ancient of Days" (עַתִּיק יוֹמִין) is unique to Daniel 7. It designates the Eternal God as the presiding judge. The construct phrase literally means "advanced/venerable of days" -- emphasizing God's eternality and the gravity of the judicial proceeding. The white garment and white-as-wool hair (Dan 7:9) reinforce this image of dignity and purity.
קֶרֶן (qeren) -- H7162 -- Aramaic: Horn¶
Original: קֶרֶן Transliteration: qeren Pronunciation: keh-ren Part of Speech: Feminine noun BLB Count: 14 occurrences (in Aramaic Daniel)
Definition: (Aramaic) corresponding to H7161; a horn (literally or for sound): horn, cornet.
Translations: | Count | Translation | |-------|------------| | 4 (19%) | of the cornet | | 4 (19%) | horns | | 4 (19%) | horn | | (others) | the, and, the horns, in, the horn, of, and the, And the |
Key Verses (Symbolic usage): - Dan 7:7 -- "it had ten horns" (קַרְנַיִן עֲשַׂר) - Dan 7:8 -- "another little horn" (קֶרֶן אָחֳרִי זְעֵירָה) + "three of the first horns" + "in this horn" - Dan 7:11 -- "the great words which the horn spake" - Dan 7:20 -- "ten horns... the other which came up" - Dan 7:21 -- "the same horn made war with the saints" - Dan 7:24 -- "ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings"
Musical usage: Dan 3:5,7,10,15 (cornet as musical instrument)
Significance: The angel interprets the horns explicitly: "the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings" (7:24). Horns = kings/kingdoms. The little horn arises "among" and "after" the ten.
אָחֳרִי (ochori) -- H317 -- Aramaic: Another (Sequential)¶
Original: אָחֳרִי Transliteration: ʼochŏrîy Pronunciation: okh-or-ee Part of Speech: Adjective (feminine form) BLB Count: 6 occurrences
Definition: (Aramaic) from H312; other, another.
Translations: | Count | Translation | |-------|------------| | 5 (83.3%) | another | | 1 (16.7%) | the other |
Key Verses: - Dan 2:39 -- "another kingdom" (מַלְכוּ אָחֳרִי) -- used TWICE for 2nd and 3rd kingdoms - Dan 7:5 -- "another beast" (חֵיוָה אָחֳרִי) - Dan 7:6 -- "another" (אָחֳרִי) -- the leopard - Dan 7:8 -- "another little horn" (קֶרֶן אָחֳרִי זְעֵירָה) - Dan 7:20 -- "the other which came up" (אָחֳרִי)
Related masculine form: H321 אָחֳרָן (achoran) -- used in Dan 7:24: "another shall rise after them" (אָחֳרָן יְקוּם אַחֲרֵיהוֹן).
Significance: The word אָחֳרִי emphasizes SEQUENCE -- each entity comes after the previous one. In Dan 7:8, the little horn is "another" (sequential, arising among the ten). In Dan 7:24, the masculine form אָחֳרָן is used with אַחֲרֵיהוֹן ("after them"), doubly emphasizing temporal sequence.
זְעֵיר (ze'iyr) -- H2191 -- Aramaic: Little/Small¶
Original: זְעֵיר Transliteration: zᵉʻêyr Pronunciation: zeh-ayr Part of Speech: Masculine noun (used as adjective) BLB Count: 5 occurrences
Definition: From an unused root (akin by permutation to H6810), meaning to dwindle; small, little.
Translations: | Count | Translation | |-------|------------| | 5 (100%) | a little |
Significance: The little horn is called זְעֵירָה (feminine form) in Dan 7:8 -- "another little horn." Despite its small beginnings, this horn uproots three of the original ten and has "eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things." The contrast between "little" origin and "great" words/actions is deliberate.
עִדָּן (iddan) -- H5732 -- Aramaic: Time/Set Time/Year¶
Original: עִדָּן Transliteration: ʻiddân Pronunciation: id-dawn Part of Speech: Masculine noun BLB Count: 13 occurrences
Definition: (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to that of H5708; a set time; technically, a year.
Full Lexicon Entry (BDB): 1. In general, time, as duration: Dan 2:8; 7:12; involving specific conditions: Dan 2:9, 21; (point of) time: Dan 3:5, 15. 2. Definite time = year (as modern Greek χρόνος): שִׁבְעָה ע׳ = seven years, Dan 4:13, 20, 22, 29; עִדָּן וְעִדָּנִין וּפְלַג עִדָּן Dan 7:25 (i.e. 3½ years, see Driver; perhaps read dual for plural).
Translations: | Count | Translation | |-------|------------| | 4 (26.7%) | times | | 2 (13.3%) | the time | | 2 (13.3%) | at | | 2 (13.3%) | time | | 1 (6.7%) | the times, and time, a time, and times, of time |
Key Verses: - Dan 4:16,23,25,32 -- "seven times" (שִׁבְעָה עִדָּנִין) = seven years of Nebuchadnezzar's madness - Dan 7:12 -- "for a season and time" (עַד זְמַן וְעִדָּן) - Dan 7:25 -- "a time and times and the dividing of time" (עִדָּן וְעִדָּנִין וּפְלַג עִדָּן) = 1 + 2 + ½ = 3½ times
Significance: In Dan 4, עִדָּן clearly means "year" (Nebuchadnezzar's seven "times" = seven years). Dan 7:25 uses the same word: "a time (עִדָּן) and times (עִדָּנִין) and half a time (פְלַג עִדָּן)" = 3½ times/years. This is the Aramaic expression that Dan 12:7 renders in Hebrew and Rev 12:14 renders in Greek.
יוֹם (yom) -- H3118 -- Aramaic: Day¶
Original: יוֹם Transliteration: yôwm Pronunciation: yome Part of Speech: Masculine noun BLB Count: 16 occurrences
Definition: (Aramaic) corresponding to H3117; a day.
Key Uses: - Dan 7:9,13,22 -- עַתִּיק יוֹמִין "Ancient of days" (plural: "days") - Dan 6:11,14 -- "day" as division of time - Dan 6:8 -- "thirty days" - Dan 2:28 -- "in the latter part of the days" (בְּאַחֲרִית יוֹמַיָּא) - Dan 2:44 -- "in the days of these kings" - Dan 4:31 -- "at the end of the days"
Significance: In the construct phrase עַתִּיק יוֹמִין ("Ancient of Days"), יוֹמִין is the plural "days," giving the full meaning "One Advanced in Days" -- the Eternal One.
Greek Terms¶
θρόνος (thronos) -- G2362 -- Throne¶
Original: θρόνος Transliteration: thrónos Pronunciation: thron-os Part of Speech: Masculine noun BLB Count: 61 occurrences
Definition: From θράω (to sit); a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or authority.
Translations: | Count | Translation | |-------|------------| | 47 (77%) | throne | | 4 (6.6%) | thrones | | 3 (4.9%) | seats | | 3 (4.9%) | seat |
Key Verses (selection of the 47 "throne" occurrences): - Mat 5:34 -- "heaven is God's throne" - Mat 23:22 -- "sweareth by the throne of God" - Heb 1:8 -- "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever" - Heb 4:16 -- "the throne of grace" - Rev 4:2 -- "a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne" - Rev 4:3-6 -- throne described (jasper, rainbow, sea of glass) - Rev 4:9-10 -- worship toward the throne - Rev 5:1,6,7,11,13 -- throne in the Lamb scene - Rev 20:4 -- "I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them" - Rev 20:11 -- "a great white throne" - Rev 22:1,3 -- "the throne of God and of the Lamb"
Significance: θρόνος dominates Revelation's throne scenes. Rev 4-5 has 14 occurrences of thronos. This parallels Daniel 7:9 where כָּרְסָוָן (karesawan, "thrones") are set/cast down (or "placed"), and the Ancient of Days takes His seat on כָּרְסְיֵהּ (koresyeh, "his throne"). The Aramaic כָּרְסָוָן and Greek θρόνος both denote royal/judicial seats of authority.
βλασφημία (blasphemia) -- G988 -- Blasphemy¶
Original: βλασφημία Transliteration: blasphēmía Pronunciation: blas-fay-me-ah Part of Speech: Feminine noun BLB Count: 19 occurrences
Definition: From G989; vilification (especially against God): blasphemy, evil speaking.
Translations: | Count | Translation | |-------|------------| | 7 (38.9%) | blasphemy | | 5 (27.8%) | blasphemies | | 2 (11.1%) | of blasphemy | | 1 each | the blasphemy, evil speaking, railings, a railing |
Key "blasphemy" Verses: - Mat 12:31 -- "All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven" - Mat 26:65 -- "He hath spoken blasphemy" - Mark 14:64 -- "Ye have heard the blasphemy" - Rev 2:9 -- "I know the blasphemy of them" - Rev 13:1 -- "upon his heads the name of blasphemy" (ὀνόματα βλασφημίας) - Rev 13:5 -- "a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies" (στόμα λαλοῦν μεγάλα καὶ βλασφημίας) - Rev 13:6 -- "he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God" (εἰς βλασφημίας πρὸς τὸν Θεόν) - Rev 17:3 -- "full of names of blasphemy"
Significance: Rev 13:5 (στόμα λαλοῦν μεγάλα, "a mouth speaking great things") directly echoes Dan 7:8 (פֻם מְמַלִּל רַבְרְבָן, "a mouth speaking great things"). The LXX of Daniel 7:8 uses στόμα λαλοῦν μεγάλα -- the IDENTICAL Greek phrase found in Rev 13:5. This is a direct literary allusion.
κέρας (keras) -- G2768 -- Horn¶
Original: κέρας Transliteration: kéras Pronunciation: ker-as Part of Speech: Neuter noun BLB Count: 11 occurrences
Definition: From a primary κάρ (the hair of the head); a horn.
Translations: | Count | Translation | |-------|------------| | 10 (90.9%) | horns | | 1 (9.1%) | an horn |
Key "horns" Verses: - Rev 5:6 -- Lamb with "seven horns" (κέρατα ἑπτά) - Rev 12:3 -- Dragon with "seven heads and ten horns" - Rev 13:1 -- Beast with "ten horns" (κέρατα δέκα) and seven heads - Rev 13:11 -- Second beast with "two horns like a lamb" - Rev 17:3 -- Scarlet beast with "seven heads and ten horns" - Rev 17:7 -- Mystery of the beast with seven heads and ten horns - Rev 17:12 -- "the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings" - Rev 17:16 -- "the ten horns... shall hate the whore" - Luke 1:69 -- "horn of salvation" (κέρας σωτηρίας)
Significance: Rev 17:12 explicitly interprets the ten horns as "ten kings" -- the same interpretation given in Dan 7:24. The continuity of horn = king/power symbolism from Daniel to Revelation is maintained. Rev 13:1 combines Daniel 7's ten horns with seven heads, creating the composite beast.
Additional Hebrew/Aramaic Terms¶
שָׁפַט (shaphat) -- H8199 -- Hebrew: To Judge¶
Original: שָׁפַט Transliteration: shâphaṭ Pronunciation: shaw-fat Part of Speech: Verb BLB Count: 203 occurrences
Definition: A primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extension, to govern.
Range of meaning: avenge, condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), judge, needs, plead, reason, rule.
Significance: While Dan 7 uses the Aramaic דִּין (H1780) rather than Hebrew שָׁפַט, the semantic range is critical. Both words carry the dual sense of "to render a verdict" AND "to vindicate/defend." Dan 7:22 says "judgment was given TO the saints" -- this can mean judgment was rendered in their favor (vindication), not judgment rendered against them.
κρίσις (krisis) -- G2920 -- Greek: Judgment/Decision¶
Original: κρίσις Transliteration: krísis Pronunciation: kree-sis Part of Speech: Feminine noun BLB Count: 48 occurrences
Definition: Decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice.
Translations: | Count | Translation | |-------|------------| | 18 (52.9%) | judgment | | 8 (23.5%) | of judgment | | 2 (5.9%) | damnation | | 2 (5.9%) | the judgment | | 2 (5.9%) | accusation |
Key Verses (LXX connections): - Dan 7:10 LXX -- κρίσις used for the judgment scene - Dan 7:26 LXX -- κρίσις for "the judgment shall sit" - Rev 14:7 -- "the hour of his judgment is come" (ἡ ὥρα τῆς κρίσεως αὐτοῦ) - Rev 18:10 -- "in one hour is thy judgment come" - Rev 19:2 -- "true and righteous are his judgments"
Significance: The LXX translates Aramaic דִּין (din) as κρίσις in Daniel 7, creating a direct terminological bridge to Revelation's judgment language. Rev 14:7 ("the hour of his judgment is come") uses the same Greek word that the LXX uses for Daniel 7's judgment scene.