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Daniel 2:48 — Word Study

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WLCאֱדַ֨יִן מַלְכָּ֜א לְדָנִיֵּ֣אל רַבִּ֗י וּמַתְּנָ֨ן רַבְרְבָ֤ן שַׂגִּיאָן֙ יְהַב־ לֵ֔הּ וְהַ֨שְׁלְטֵ֔הּ עַ֖ל כָּל־ מְדִינַ֣ת בָּבֶ֑ל וְרַב־ סִגְנִ֔ין עַ֖ל כָּל־ חַכִּימֵ֥י בָבֶֽל׃

BSAThenʼĕdayin the kingmelek [made great] promotedrᵉbâh DanielDânîyêʼl and gaveyᵉhab manysaggîyʼ [expensive, great] generousrabrab giftsmattᵉnâʼ [offerings, presents] He made him rulershᵉlêṭ [governor, chief administrator] overʻal the entirekôl [whole] provincemᵉdîynâh [region, district] of BabylonBabel [Babel, a city of confusion] and chiefrab [head, leader] administratorçᵉgan overʻal allkôl [every] the wise menchakkîym [intelligent, discerning] of BabylonBabel

Word
Listen & take awayDaniel 2
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 48 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (va.Vel) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Daniel 2:48quick helps
In a sentenceThe king promoted Daniel and rewarded him with gifts, making him a ruler over Babylon.
Who is speakingKing Nebuchadnezzar, acting on the revelation given to Daniel.
Where we areAfter Daniel interpreted the king's dream, he is honored and elevated in status.
The hard wordרַבִּ֗י
Take awayDaniel's elevation illustrates God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His plans.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbרְבָה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Daniel 2:48

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Promotion of Danielgenerated

46At this, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, paid homage to Daniel, and ordered that an offering of incense be presented to him.
47The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.”
48Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
49And at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.

Daniel 2:48 describes how King Nebuchadnezzar honored Daniel after he successfully interpreted the king's dream. This act of promotion not only elevated Daniel's status but also demonstrated the power of Daniel's God, who revealed mysteries. The context shows how God uses individuals to fulfill His purposes, as seen throughout the Book of Daniel.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Daniel 2:6But if you tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and its interpretation.”
2Daniel 5:16But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
3Genesis 41:39–43Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
4Numbers 22:16–17They came to Balaam and said, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,
5Numbers 24:11Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”

The Key Word רַבִּ֗י, ra.Bigenerated

The verb רַבִּ֗י (*rabbi*) is a Piel form meaning 'to make great' or 'to promote.' It indicates an action of elevation or increase in status. The parsing as a perfect tense signifies a completed action, showing that the king has definitively made Daniel great.

This verb emphasizes the king's role in recognizing Daniel's abilities and the divine wisdom that enabled Daniel to interpret the dream. It reflects the theme of God's sovereignty in placing Daniel in a position of authority.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB uses promoted and generous gifts, which aligns closely with the KJV's made great and gifts.

Where translations differ, the word שַׂגִּיאָן֙ has variations: great (ASV, KJV) versus many (BSB, NETB), and expensive (FBV). The word כָּל־ also varies between whole (ASV) and all (BSB).


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb רַבִּ֗י governs the sentence, indicating the king's action of promoting Daniel. The structure includes a series of phrases that elaborate on the gifts given and the authority granted to Daniel.

The sentence flows from the king's action to the consequences of that action, highlighting the relationship between the promotion and Daniel's new responsibilities.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates רַבִּ֗י as κατέστησεν, meaning 'he established' or 'he set up.' This choice reflects an interpretation that emphasizes the act of placing Daniel in authority rather than just making him great.

This translation shows a slight shift in focus from the greatness of Daniel to the authority conferred upon him by the king.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Daniel 2:48 tells us that King Nebuchadnezzar promoted Daniel after he interpreted the king's dream. The king gave Daniel many gifts and made him ruler over the province of Babylon, as well as chief administrator over all the wise men. This shows how God honored Daniel for his faithfulness and wisdom.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the king promoted Daniel?

It signifies that King Nebuchadnezzar recognized Daniel's wisdom and the power of his God, elevating him to a position of authority.

What kind of gifts did the king give to Daniel?

The gifts were generous, likely including wealth and honors that reflected Daniel's new status.

Why was Daniel made ruler over Babylon?

Daniel's ability to interpret the king's dream demonstrated his exceptional wisdom, leading the king to trust him with significant responsibilities.

How does this promotion reflect God's sovereignty?

It shows that God can elevate His servants in the eyes of rulers, fulfilling His purposes through them, as seen in Daniel's life.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I recognize and honor the gifts and abilities of those around me, like King Nebuchadnezzar did for Daniel?
  2. In what ways can I demonstrate faithfulness in my responsibilities, trusting that God will elevate me in due time?
  3. What does this passage teach about God's ability to work through secular leaders to accomplish His plans?
  4. How can I apply the wisdom of Daniel in my own life when faced with challenges or decisions?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Early Church Fathers comment on Daniel's promotion, illustrating God's guidance in elevating His faithful servants, as seen in their writings.

Hippolytus of RomeHippolytus Exegetical Fragments - Scholia on Daniel c. 170–235
"Then the king made Daniel a great man." For as he had humbled himself, and presented himself as the least among all men, God made him great, and the king established him as ruler over the whole land of Babylon.
Early Church Fathers on Daniel 2 →
JeromeSt. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER TWO c. 347–420
Verse 48. "Then the king elevated Daniel to a high position, and gave him many great gifts and set him up as governor over all the provinces of Babylon..." In this matter also the slanderous critic of the Church has ventured to castigate…
Early Church Fathers on Daniel 2 →
Theodoret of CyrusCOMMENTARY ON Daniel 2:48 c. 393–460
This is itself divine guidance. It is most fitting that the subjects benefit from the piety of the ruler: so also at one point God had done the same with Joseph.… He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold as a slave.
Early Church Fathers on Daniel 2 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Daniel 2:48 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then the king made Daniel a great man,.... Advanced him to posts of great honour and dignity he was a great man before in spiritual things, in which he was made great by the Lord; and now he was made

Read John Gill on Daniel 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then the king made Daniel a great man.

Read Robert Jamieson on Daniel 2 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Made Daniel a great man, Chald. rabbi, magnified him. Many great gifts; an estate suitable to his honour. Ruler over the whole province of Babylon; gnal col medina over the chief province of Babylon, which was head, because of the metropolis; the word is also Arabic, and therefore used in Spain at this day. Chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon: see . Daniel was chief of them in wisdom, for he could unfold what none of the wise men could. Again, he was chief in place and power, he had the rule and inspection of them which were students and professors of wisdom and learning, into their studies and manners, like a perpetual lord chancellor. Not that this holy prophet gave…

Read Matthew Poole on Daniel 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Daniel 2:48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise [men] of Babylon.Ver. 48. Then the king made Daniel a great man.] This was, saith Broughton, about two years before the captivity of Jeconiah, when the good figs were to be brought to Babylon; an encouragement for the faithful to go willingly, their own nobles being so advanced in that court. And gave him many great gifts.] This Porphyry, that atheist, snarleth at, viz., that Daniel received these rewards and honours. But why might he not, since the gifts he could bestow upon the poor captives, his fellow…

Read John Trapp on Daniel 2 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(48) The Province.—According to Daniel 3:2, the Babylonian empire consisted of several provinces, each of which had its own ruler or Shilton. Daniel became ruler of this one province of Babylon. What the other office was to which he was advanced may possibly be explained when further discoveries have been made. Hitherto it has been inexplicable.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Daniel 2 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 48. Made Daniel a great man] By, 1. Giving him many rich gifts. 2. By making him governor over the whole province of Babylon. And, 3. By making him the chief or president over all the wise men.

Read AdamClarke on Daniel 2 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

48. made Daniel a great man] made Daniel great, i.e. advanced, promoted him. made him to rule, &c.] i.e., probably, made him administrator of the principal province of the empire, in which the capital was; opp. to the local ‘provinces,’ Daniel 3:2. and (appointed him) chief of the praefects over, &c.] The idea appears to be (Hitz., Keil, Pusey, p. 20) that each division, or class (Daniel 2:2), of the ‘wise men’ had its own head; and Daniel was promoted to have the supervision of them all. Cf. Daniel 4:9, Daniel 5:11 (‘made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and determiners of fates’). ‘Praefect’ (segan, Heb. sâgân) recurs Daniel 3:2-3; Daniel 3:27, Daniel 6:7; and is found…

Read Cambridge on Daniel 2 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

There the king made Daniel a great man - That is, he gave him an honorable appointment; he so honored him that he was regarded as a great man.

Read Albert Barnes on Daniel 2 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Then the king made Daniel great and gave him many great gifts, and made him rule over the whole province of Babylon and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Then the king elevated Daniel to high position and bestowed on him many marvelous gifts. He granted him authority over the entire province of Babylon and made him the main prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him to rule over the whole province of Babylon, and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him to rule over the whole province of Babylon, and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

So the King made Daniel a great man, and gaue him many and great giftes. Hee made him gouernour ouer the whole prouince of Babel, and chiefe of the rulers, and aboue all the wise men of Babel.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Then the king hath made Daniel great, and many great gifts he hath given to him, and hath caused him to rule over all the province of Babylon, and chief of the perfects over all the wise men of Babylon.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Then the king has made Daniel great, and many great gifts he has given to him, and has caused him to rule over all the province of Babylon, and chief of the prefects over all the wise men of Babylon.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Then did the king elevate Daniel, and gave him many great presents, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the superintendents over all the wise men of Babylon.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Then the king made Daniel highly honored and gave him many wonderful gifts. He made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon. Daniel became chief governor over the wisest men of Babylon.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Then the king advanced Daniel to a high station, and gave him many and great gifts: and he made him governor over all the provinces of Babylon, and chief of the magistrates over all the wise men of Babylon.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Then the king promoted Daniel to a high position and gave him many expensive gifts, making him governor over the whole province of Babylon and head of all the wise men of Babylon.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him offerings in great number, and made him ruler over all the land of Babylon, and chief over all the wise men of Babylon.

Word by word, the decisions they made

שַׂגִּיאָן֙sa.gi.'An many H7690 3 different renderings
greatASV BBE DBY DRA GNV ILT KJV LSV NWB RVA WEB YLT
manyBSB MSB NETB ULB
expensiveFBV
כָּל־kol- all H3606 2 different renderings
wholeASV DBY FBV GNV ILT KJV NWB RVA ULB WEB
allBBE BSB DRA LSV MSB NETB YLT
בָּבֶ֑לba.Vel Babylon H895 2 different renderings
babylonASV BBE BSB DBY DRA FBV ILT KJV LSV MSB NETB NWB RVA ULB WEB YLT
babelGNV

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

אֱדַ֨יִןthenclausenoun phrase · subjectמַלְכָּ֜theאkingprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְ(et)דָנִיֵּ֣אלDanielverbרַבִּ֗יhe.made.greatוּandclausenoun phrase · objectnoun phraseמַתְּנָ֨ןgiftsרַבְרְבָ֤ןgreatשַׂגִּיאָן֙manyverbיְהַבhe.gaveprepositional phrase · prepositionalלֵ֔toהּhimוְandclauseclauseverbהַ֨שְׁלְטֵ֔heobjectהּmade.him.rulerprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַ֖לovernoun phraseכָּלallnoun phraseמְדִינַ֣תthe.provinceבָּבֶ֑לof.Babylonוְandclausenoun phrase · objectרַבchiefסִגְנִ֔יןof.prefectsprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַ֖לovernoun phraseכָּלallnoun phraseחַכִּימֵ֥יthe.wise.menבָבֶֽלof.Babylon

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls show agreement in the essential wording of the verse, although the scrolls contain some partially restored words. The Septuagint has a different word order and translation choices, indicating a distinct interpretative approach.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

אֱדַ֨יִן מַלְכָּ֜א לְדָנִיֵּ֣אל רַבִּ֗י וּמַתְּנָ֨ן רַבְרְבָ֤ן שַׂגִּיאָן֙ יְהַב־ לֵ֔הּ וְהַ֨שְׁלְטֵ֔הּ עַ֖ל כָּל־ מְדִינַ֣ת בָּבֶ֑ל וְרַב־ סִגְנִ֔ין עַ֖ל כָּל־ חַכִּימֵ֥י בָבֶֽל׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אֱדַ֨יִןτότεמַלְכָּ֜אβασιλεὺςלְדָנִיֵּ֣אלκαὶוּמַתְּנָ֨ןμεγάλαςרַבְרְבָ֤ןκατέστησενשַׂגִּיאָן֙πραγμάτωνיְהַב־βαβυλωνίαςוְהַ֨שְׁלְטֵ֔הּἡγούμενονכָּל־πάντωνמְדִינַ֣תσοφιστῶνבָּבֶ֑לβαβυλωνίας

11 of the 20 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q112a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[אדין] [מלכ] [א] [לדניאל] [רבי] [ומתנן] [רברבן] שגיאן יהב ל׳ה [והשלט׳ה] [על] [כל] [מדינת] [בבל] [ורב] סגנין על כל חכימי בבל

6 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 13 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Daniel 2:48אֱדַ֫יִןthenthenאֱדַ֫יִןמֶ֫לֶךְking theking theמֶ֫לֶךְדָּנִיֵּאלthe object the object markדָּנִיֵּאלרְבָהhe made grehe made greatרְבָהמַתְּנָאand giftsand giftsמַתְּנָארַבgreatgreatרַבשַׂגִּיאmanymanyשַׂגִּיאיְהַבhe gavehe gaveיְהַבוֹto himto himוֹשְׁלֵטand he madeand he made rulשְׁלֵטעַלoveroverעַלכֹּלallallכֹּלמְדִינָה[the] provi[the] province מְדִינָהבָּבֶלBabylonBabylonבָּבֶלרַבand chief oand chief ofרַבסְגַןprefectsprefectsסְגַןעַלoveroverעַלכֹּלallallכֹּלחַכִּים[the] wise [the] wise men חַכִּיםבָּבֶלBabylonBabylonבָּבֶלרַבgreatgreatרַבעַלuponuponעַלכֹּלallallכֹּלבָּבֶ֫לBabylonBabylonבָּבֶ֫למֶ֫לֶךְKing'sKing'sמֶ֫לֶךְדָּנִאֵלDanielDanielדָּנִאֵלרָבָהto multiplto multiplyרָבָהמַתָּנָהgiftgiftמַתָּנָהשַׂגִּיאgreatgreatשַׂגִּיאיָהַבto giveto giveיָהַבשָׁלַטto domineeto domineerשָׁלַטמְדִינָהprovinceprovinceמְדִינָהרַבmanymanyרַבסָגָןrulerrulerסָגָןחָכַםbe wisebe wiseחָכַםעֲנָהto answerto answerעֲנָהשְׁלַחto sendto sendשְׁלַחדְּנָהthisthisדְּנָה
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Daniel 2:48

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
אֱדַ֨יִן'e.Da.yin then H116 Adverb
57× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Then or at that time, referring to a specific point in the past or future, like in the story of creation when God said 'then' the earth was formed. It is used to show a sequence of events. The KJV translates it as 'then' or 'now'.
Tyndale gloss
then
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֱדַ֫יִן (*edayin*) is an Aramaic adverb meaning 'then' or 'thereupon.' It indicates a point in time, often used to refer to a sequence of events. The entries suggest it is derived from the word for 'then' in Hebrew, אָז (*az*).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱדַ֫יִן 57 adv. then, thereupon

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H116 אֱדַ֫יִן

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

116 'edayin ed-ah'-yin

(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation; then (of time):--now,

that time, then.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱדַ֫יִן (e.da.yin) — then.

then, afterwards, thereupon, from that time

Aramaic of az (אָז "then" H0227A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adverb
AD
then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
מַלְכָּ֜אmal.Ka' king the H4430 Noun common both singular determined · particle
180× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
made great
Tyndale gloss
king
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מֶ֫לֶךְ (melek) means 'king' in Hebrew and is also noted in Aramaic. The entries confirm its singular meaning related to royalty, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֶ֫לֶךְ 178 n.m. king

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4430 מֶ֫לֶךְ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4430 melek meh'-lek

(Aramaic) corresponding to 4428; a king:--king, royal.

see HEBREW for 04428

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.

king

Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428)

§ 1) king

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | Art — Noun common both singular determined · particle
ANcbsd/Ta
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

King

Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).

This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Called KING OF KINGS Ezr 7:12; Eze 26:7; Da 2:37

→ Divinely authorized De 17:15; 1Sa 9:16,17; 16:12; 1Ch 22:10; 2Ch 2:11,12; Pr 8:15; Da 2:21,37; 4:17; 5:20; Ho 8:4; 13:11

→ How chosen

By divine appointment, Saul 1Sa 10:1

then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
לְדָנִיֵּ֣אלle.da.ni.Yel the object marker Daniel H1841 Preposition · noun proper masculine
57× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The prophet Daniel, also called Belteshazzar, lived during the Exile and Return, and his name means God is my judge.
Tyndale gloss
Daniel
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniye'l) refers to the biblical figure Daniel, a prophet known for his interpretations of dreams during the Babylonian exile. His name means 'God is my judge.' Daniel is recognized as the fourth of the major prophets and is also called Belteshazzar. He is first mentioned in Ezra 8:2 and noted for his holiness, as acknowledged by Ezekiel.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּנִיֵּאל n.pr.m. Daniel (BH id.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1841 דָּנִיֵּאל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1841 Daniye'l daw-nee-yale'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 1840; Danijel, the Heb.

prophet:--Daniel.

see HEBREW for 01840

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּנִיֵּאל, דָּנִאֵל (da.niy.yel) — Daniel.

A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.8.2

§ Daniel = "God is my judge"

1) the 4th of the greater prophets, taken as hostage in the first deportation to Babylon, because of the gift of God of the interpretation of dreams, he became the 2nd in command of the Babylon empire and lasted through the end of the Babylonian empire and into the Persian empire. His prophecies are the key to the understanding of end time events. Noted for his purity and holiness by contemporary prophet, Ezekiel

1a) also, 'Belteshazzar' (H01095 or H01096)

דָּנִיֵּאל, דָּנִאֵל (da.niy.yel) — Daniel.

A prophet living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezk.14.14; also called Belteshazzar at Dan.1.7; 2.26; 4.8,9,18,19; 5.12; 10.1;

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculine
AR/Npm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

dan'-yel (daniye'l, dani'-el, "God is my judge"; Daniel):

(1) One of the sons of David (1Ch 3:1).

(2) A Levite of the family of Ithamar (Ezr 8:2; Ne 10:6).

(3) A prophet of the time of Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, the hero and author of the Book of Daniel.

1. Early Life:

We know nothing of the early life of Daniel, except what is recorded in the book bearing his name. Here it is said that he was one of the youths of royal or noble seed, who were carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar in the third year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. These youths were without blemish, well-favored, skillful in all wisdom, endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace. The king commanded to teach them the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Daniel

God is my judge, or judge of God. (1.) David’s second son, “born unto him in Hebron, of Abigail the Carmelitess” (1 Chr. 3:1). He is called also Chileab (2 Sam. 3:3).

(2.) One of the four great prophets, although he is not once spoken of in the Old Testament as a prophet. His life and prophecies are recorded in the Book of Daniel. He was descended from one of the noble families of Judah (Dan. 1:3), and was probably born in Jerusalem about B.C. 623, during the reign of Josiah. At the first deportation of the Jews by Nebuchadnezzar (the kingdom of Israel had come to an end nearly a century before), or immediately after his victory over the Egyptians at the second battle of Carchemish, in the fourth year of the reign of…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(judgment of God). The second son of David, by Abigail the Carmelitess. (1 Chronicles 3:1) In (2 Samuel 3:3) he is called Chileab. (B.C. about 1051.) The fourth of ’the greater prophets." Nothing is known of his parentage or family. He appears, however, to have been of royal or noble descent, (Daniel 1:3) and to have possessed considerable personal endowments. (Daniel 1:4) He was taken to Babylon in "the third year of Jehoiakim" (B.C. 604), and trained for the king’s service. He was divinely supported in his resolve to abstain from the "king’s meat" for fear of defilement. (Daniel 1:8-16) At the close of his three years…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. Called Belteshazzar by the Chaldeans, a prophet descended from the royal family of David, who was carried captive to Babylon, when very young, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim king of Judah, B. C. 606. He was chosen, with his three companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to reside at Nebuchadnezzar’s court, where he received a suitable education, and made great progress in all the sciences of the Chaldeans, but declined to pollute himself by eating provisions from the king’s table, which would often be ceremonially unclean to a Jew, or defiled by some connection with idol-worship. At the end of their three years’ education, Daniel and his companions excelled all others, and received honorable appointments in the royal service. Here Daniel soon displayed his prophetic gifts in interpreting a dream of Nebuchadnezzar, by whom he was made governor of Babylon, and head of the learned…

then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
רַבִּ֗יra.Bi he made great H7236 Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singular
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to grow or increase, like a person getting taller. It is used in the Bible to describe something or someone getting bigger or more important. The KJV translates it as grow or make great.
Tyndale gloss
to grow great
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רְבָה (rbah) means to grow great or to increase. It can refer to growing tall or large in the P'al form, while the Pael form indicates making something great. The word is linked to the Aramaic root corresponding to another Hebrew word, רָב (rav), which also conveys the idea of greatness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רְבָה vb. grow great

Pe. grow tall and large

Pa. make great

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7236 רְבָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7236 rbah reb-aw'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 7235:--make a great man, grow.

see HEBREW for 07235

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רְבָה (re.vah) — to grow great.

1) to grow great

1a) (P'al) to grow long, grow tall and large, grow great, increase

1b) (Pael) to make great

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singular
AVpp3ms
then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
וּמַתְּנָ֨ןu.ma.te.Nan and gifts H4978 Conjunction · noun common feminine plural absolute
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Describes a present or gift, including sacrificial offerings or bribes, with the word being in Aramaic.
Amplified meaning
offerings, presents
Tyndale gloss
gift
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מַתְּנָא (*mattna'*) means 'gift' and is an Aramaic term corresponding to the Hebrew word for gift, מַתָּנָה (*mattanah*). It is used in contexts related to giving or receiving gifts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַתְּנָא] n.f. gift

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4978 מַתְּנָא

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4978 mattna' mat-ten-aw'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 4979:--gift.

see HEBREW for 04979

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַתְּנָא (mat.t.na) — gift.

gift

Aramaic of mat.ta.nah (מַתָּנָה "gift" H4979)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | N-fp — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural absolute
AC/Ncfpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Have been common from the earliest times as tokens of affection, honor, or respect. The dues to a king were often rendered in this form, 1Sa 10:27 Isa 36:16; and men of high position were approached with presents, Ge 43:11 Jud 6:18 1Sa 9:7 1Ki 14:3. Kings made gifts of garments to those they wished to honor, Ge 45:22,23 1Sa 18:4; and of treasures to other princes, out of esteem or of fear, 2Ki 16:8 18:14

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
רַבְרְבָ֤ןrav.re.Van great H7260 Adj
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone huge in size or influence, like a great king or a massive mountain. It describes things that are impressive or powerful. The KJV Bible often translates it as 'great' or 'very great'.
Tyndale gloss
great
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רַבְרַב (rabrab) is an Aramaic word derived from a root meaning 'huge' or 'great.' It describes something that is very large in size or domineering in character, and can also refer to a captain or chief. The entries emphasize its use as an adjective for greatness, both literal and figurative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7260 רַב, רַבְרַב

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7260 rabrab rab-rab'

(Aramaic) from 7229; huge (in size); domineering (in

character):--(very) great (things).

see HEBREW for 07229

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רַבְרַב (rav.rav) — great.

adj

1) great

1a) great

1b) great (fig. of power)

n

2) captain, chief

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
AAafpa
then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
שַׂגִּיאָן֙sa.gi.'An many H7690 Adj
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means greatly or exceedingly, describing something large in size or quantity. It's used to emphasize the magnitude of something, like a great multitude.
Amplified meaning
expensive, great
Tyndale gloss
greatly
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שַׂגִּיא (saggiy') is an Aramaic word meaning 'great' or 'much,' and can also function adverbially as 'exceedingly.' It encompasses a range of meanings related to size and quantity, including 'many' and 'very.' The entries consistently emphasize its use in describing large amounts or degrees.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׂגִּיא adj. great, much

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7690 שַׂגִּיא

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7690 saggiy' sag-ghee'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 7689; large (in size, quantity or

number, also adverbial):--exceeding, great(-ly); many, much,

sore, very.

see HEBREW for 07689

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׂגִּיא (sag.gi) — greatly.

adj

1) great, much

1a) great

1b) much, many

adv

2) exceedingly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
AAafpa
English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

MANY, adjective men'ny.

1. Numerous; comprising a great number of individuals.

Thou shalt be a father of many nations. Genesis 17:4.

Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 1 Corinthians 1:26.

MANY are the afflictions of the righteous. Psalms 34:12.

It is often preceded by as or so, and followed by so, indicating an equal number.

As many books as you take, so many shall be charged to your account.

So many laws argue so many sins.

It is followed by as.

As many as were willing-hearted brought bracelets. Exodus 34:1.

It precedes an or a, before a noun in the singular number.

Full many a gem of purest ray serene.

2. In low language, preceded by too, it denotes powerful or much; as, they are too many for us.

MANY, noun men'ny. A multitude; a great number of individuals; the people.

O thou fond many

The vulgar and the many are fit only to be led or driven.

then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
יְהַב־ye.hav- he gave H3052 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give or provide something, like a gift or a foundation. It appears in various forms, such as giving, laying, or paying. For example, it is used in Genesis when God gives instructions to Noah.
Tyndale gloss
to give
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהַב (yhab) means to give or provide, and it can also imply laying foundations or being paid. It is derived from an Aramaic root and covers various forms, including giving, placing, and being given. The entries suggest a range of uses in contexts related to provision and payment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יְהַב vb. give

Pe.

give

place, lay foundations

Pe‛îl, be given

Hithpe.

be given

be paid, of cost

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3052 יְהַב

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3052 yhab yeh-hab'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 3051; -deliver, give, lay, +

prolong, pay, yield.

see HEBREW for 03051

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהַב (ye.hav) — to give.

1) to give, provide

1a) (P'al)

1a1) to give

1a2) to place, lay (foundations)

1b) (Hithp'al)

1b1) to be given

1b2) to be paid

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
AVqp3ms
then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
לֵ֔הּLeh to him H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
AR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
AR/Sp3ms
then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
וְהַ֨שְׁלְטֵ֔הּve.Hash.le.Teh and he made ruler him H7981 Conjunction · verb hiphil perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to have control or power over something or someone, like a ruler governing their people. It appears in the Bible when talking about leaders or authority figures. In the KJV, it's translated as 'have power' or 'bear rule'.
Amplified meaning
governor, chief administrator
Tyndale gloss
to rule
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁלֵט (shlet) means to have power or to rule. The entries indicate it can refer to having mastery or dominion over something, and it can also mean to make someone a ruler. The term appears in both Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁלֵט vb. have power, rule (BH (q.v.) late)

Pe. have power upon

Haph. make ruler

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7981 שְׁלֵט have power, rule (BH (q.v.) late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7981 shlet shel-ate'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 7980:--have the mastery, have

power, bear rule, be (make) ruler.

see HEBREW for 07980

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁלֵט (she.let) — to rule.

1) to have power, rule, domineer, rule over

1a) (P'al) have power upon or over, rule, fall upon, assault, be ruler

1b) (Aphel) make ruler

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms | Suff — Conjunction · verb hiphil perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
AC/Vhp3ms/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
עַ֖ל'al over H5922 Preposition
104× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Similar to H5921, this word means on, above, or because of something. It is often used to describe a reason or a direction, like in Genesis 18:5 where Abraham is asked to walk before God.
Tyndale gloss
since
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַל (al) is a preposition meaning 'upon,' 'over,' or 'against.' It covers a range of uses, including direction, comparison, and causation. The entries indicate it can express relationships concerning location, purpose, or authority. There is a note that it corresponds to the Aramaic term related to another Hebrew word, עַל (H5921), but no significant disagreement among lexicons is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַל prep. upon, over, on account of, above, to, against

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5922 עַל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5922 `al al

(Aramaic) corresponding to 5921:--about, against,

concerning, for, (there-)fore, from, in, X more, of, (there-,

up-)on, (in-)to, + why with.

see HEBREW for 05921

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — since.

1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against

1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of

1b) over (with verbs of ruling)

1c) above, beyond (in comparison)

1d) to, against (of direction)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Preposition
AR
then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
כָּל־kol- all H3606 Noun common · both singular construct
82× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for all or everything, used in the Bible to describe the entirety of something, like all people or all things. It appears in Genesis and Psalms to emphasize God's power over everything. This word is often translated as 'all' or 'every' in English Bibles.
Amplified meaning
whole
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It encompasses meanings such as every, any, and none. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, indicating totality or completeness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל, כָּל־ n.m. the whole, all

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3606 כֹּל, כָּל־

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3606 kol kole

(Aramaic) corresponding to 3605:--all, any, + (forasmuch) as,

+ be-(for this) cause, every, + no (manner, -ne), + there

(where)-fore, + though, what (where, who)-soever, (the) whole.

see HEBREW for 03605

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, whole, the whole

1a) the whole of, all

1b) every, any, none

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · both singular construct
ANcbsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
מְדִינַ֣תme.di.Nat [the] province of H4083 Noun common · feminine singular construct
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a province refers to a region or district under a judge's authority. It appears in books like Daniel and Ezra, describing areas within ancient empires. The term is often translated as 'province' in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
region, district
Tyndale gloss
province
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְדִינָה (mdiynah) refers to a judicial district or province. It is derived from the Aramaic word for province and is linked to the Hebrew word represented by Strong's H4082. The entries consistently define it in the context of administrative regions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מְדִינָה] n.f. (judicial) district, province

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4083 מְדִינָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4083 mdiynah med-ee-naw'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 4082:--province.

see HEBREW for 04082

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְדִינָה (me.di.nah) — province.

district, province

Aramaic of me.di.nah (מְדִינָה "province" H4082)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · feminine singular construct
ANcfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
בָּבֶ֑לba.Vel Babylon H895 Noun proper
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Babel is another term for Babylon, a city and empire in the Bible, meaning confusion or mixing. It is found in Daniel 1:1-2, describing the Babylonian empire. The city was a major center of power.
Amplified meaning
Babel, a city of confusion
Tyndale gloss
Babylon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּבֶל (Babel) refers to Babylon, an ancient city associated with confusion due to mixing. The word is derived from Aramaic and is linked to Strong's H894. It is noted as the capital of Babylonia, located on the Euphrates River.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּבֶל n.pr.loc. Babylon

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H895 בָּבֶל, בַּבֶל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

895 Babel baw-bel'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 894:--Babylon.

see HEBREW for 0894

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּבֶ֫ל, בָּבֶל (ba.vel) — Babylon.

Aramaic of ba.vel (בָּבֶ֫ל, בָּבֶל "Babylon" H0894)

§ Babel or Babylon = "confusion (by mixing)"

Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun proper
ANpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Babylon

The Greek form of BABEL; Semitic form Babilu, meaning “The Gate of God.” In the Assyrian tablets it means “The city of the dispersion of the tribes.” The monumental list of its kings reaches back to B.C. 2300, and includes Khammurabi, or Amraphel (q.v.), the contemporary of Abraham. It stood on the Euphrates, about 200 miles above its junction with the Tigris, which flowed through its midst and divided it into two almost equal parts. The Elamites invaded Chaldea (i.e., Lower Mesopotamia, or Shinar, and Upper Mesopotamia, or Accad, now combined into one) and held it in subjection. At length Khammu-rabi delivered it from the foreign yoke, and founded the new empire of Chaldea (q.v.), making Babylon the capital of the united kingdom. This city gradually grew in extent and grandeur, but in process of time it became subject to Assyria. On the fall of Nineveh (B.C. 606) it threw off…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

in the Apocalypse, is the symbolical name by which Rome is denoted. (Revelation 14:8; 17:18) The power of Rome was regarded by the later Jews as was that of Babylon by their forefathers. Comp. (Jeremiah 51:7) with Reve 14:8 The occurrence of this name in (1 Peter 5:13) has given rise to a variety of conjectures, many giving it the same meaning as in the Apocalypse; others refer it to Babylon in Asia, and others still to Babylon in Egypt. The most natural supposition of all is that by Babylon is intended the old Babylon of Assyria, which was largely inhabited by Jews at the time in question.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. A celebrated city situated on the Euphrates, the original foundation of which is described under the word Babel. Wit this coincide many ancient traditions, while some speak of Semiramis as the founder, and others of Nebuchadnezzar. These accounts may all be reconciled, by supposing that Semiramis rebuilt the ancient city, and the Nebuchadnezzar. These accounts may all be reconciled, by supposing that Semiramis rebuilt the ancient city, and that Nebuchadnezzar afterwards greatly enlarged and adorned it.

Babylon lay in a vast and fertile plain watered by the Euphrates, with flowed through the city. Its walls are described as 60 miles in circumference, 300 feet high, and 75 feet wide, Jer 51:44- 58. A deep trench ran parallel with the walls. In each of the four sides were 25 brazen gates, from which roads crossed to the opposite…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

same as Babel

then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
וְרַב־ve.rav- and chief of H7229 Conjunction · noun common both singular construct
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means great or abundant, used to describe powerful leaders like captains or chiefs in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Numbers.
Amplified meaning
head, leader
Tyndale gloss
great
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רַב (rab) means 'great' and can refer to a person of authority, such as a captain or chief. It is used both as an adjective and a noun, indicating greatness in power or rank. The word is related to another Hebrew term, רַב (rab), which shares similar meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7229 רַב, רַבְרַב

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7229 rab rab

(Aramaic) corresponding to 7227:--captain, chief, great,

lord, master, stout.

see HEBREW for 07227

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רַב (rav) — great.

adj

1) great

1a) great

1b) great (fig of power)

n

2) captain, chief

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | Adj — Conjunction · noun common both singular construct
AC/Ncbsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
סִגְנִ֔יןsig.Nin prefects H5460 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A prefect is a high-ranking official who governs a province, like a governor. In the Bible, this word is used to describe powerful leaders in the book of Daniel. They were in charge of collecting taxes and enforcing laws.
Tyndale gloss
prefect
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סְגַן (segan) refers to a prefect or governor, derived from the Aramaic term for ruler. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning as a governing authority, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[סְגַן] n.m. prefect

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5460 סְגַן

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5460 cgan seg-an'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 5461:--governor.

see HEBREW for 05461

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סְגַן (se.gan) — prefect.

prefect, governor

Aramaic of sa.gan (סָגָן "ruler" H5461)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
ANcmpa
then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
עַ֖ל'al over H5922 Preposition
104× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Similar to H5921, this word means on, above, or because of something. It is often used to describe a reason or a direction, like in Genesis 18:5 where Abraham is asked to walk before God.
Tyndale gloss
since
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַל (al) is a preposition meaning 'upon,' 'over,' or 'against.' It covers a range of uses, including direction, comparison, and causation. The entries indicate it can express relationships concerning location, purpose, or authority. There is a note that it corresponds to the Aramaic term related to another Hebrew word, עַל (H5921), but no significant disagreement among lexicons is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַל prep. upon, over, on account of, above, to, against

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5922 עַל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5922 `al al

(Aramaic) corresponding to 5921:--about, against,

concerning, for, (there-)fore, from, in, X more, of, (there-,

up-)on, (in-)to, + why with.

see HEBREW for 05921

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — since.

1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against

1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of

1b) over (with verbs of ruling)

1c) above, beyond (in comparison)

1d) to, against (of direction)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Preposition
AR
then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
כָּל־kol- all H3606 Noun common · both singular construct
82× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for all or everything, used in the Bible to describe the entirety of something, like all people or all things. It appears in Genesis and Psalms to emphasize God's power over everything. This word is often translated as 'all' or 'every' in English Bibles.
Amplified meaning
every
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It encompasses meanings such as every, any, and none. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, indicating totality or completeness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל, כָּל־ n.m. the whole, all

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3606 כֹּל, כָּל־

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3606 kol kole

(Aramaic) corresponding to 3605:--all, any, + (forasmuch) as,

+ be-(for this) cause, every, + no (manner, -ne), + there

(where)-fore, + though, what (where, who)-soever, (the) whole.

see HEBREW for 03605

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, whole, the whole

1a) the whole of, all

1b) every, any, none

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · both singular construct
ANcbsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
חַכִּימֵ֥יcha.ki.Mei [the] wise men of H2445 Adj
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means wise or intelligent, describing someone with good judgment. It is used to describe a wise man, like a Magian. The word appears in various books, including Proverbs and Psalms.
Amplified meaning
intelligent, discerning
Tyndale gloss
wise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חַכִּים (chakkiym) means 'wise' and refers to a wise man or a Magian. It is derived from a root associated with wisdom, specifically noted in Strong's H2449. The term appears in contexts that emphasize wisdom.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חַכִּים] 14 n.m. wise man

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2445 חַכִּים

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2445 chakkiym khak-keem'

(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to 2449; wise, i.e. a

Magian:--wise.

see HEBREW for 02449

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חַכִּים (chak.kim) — wise.

wise man, wise

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
AAampc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

then king the the object marker Daniel he made great and gifts great many he gave to him and he made ruler him over all [the] province of Babylon and chief of prefects over all [the] wise men of Babylon
בָבֶֽל׃va.Vel Babylon H895 Noun proper
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Babel is another term for Babylon, a city and empire in the Bible, meaning confusion or mixing. It is found in Daniel 1:1-2, describing the Babylonian empire. The city was a major center of power.
Tyndale gloss
Babylon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּבֶל (Babel) refers to Babylon, an ancient city associated with confusion due to mixing. The word is derived from Aramaic and is linked to Strong's H894. It is noted as the capital of Babylonia, located on the Euphrates River.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּבֶל n.pr.loc. Babylon

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H895 בָּבֶל, בַּבֶל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

895 Babel baw-bel'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 894:--Babylon.

see HEBREW for 0894

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּבֶ֫ל, בָּבֶל (ba.vel) — Babylon.

Aramaic of ba.vel (בָּבֶ֫ל, בָּבֶל "Babylon" H0894)

§ Babel or Babylon = "confusion (by mixing)"

Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun proper
ANpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Babylon

The Greek form of BABEL; Semitic form Babilu, meaning “The Gate of God.” In the Assyrian tablets it means “The city of the dispersion of the tribes.” The monumental list of its kings reaches back to B.C. 2300, and includes Khammurabi, or Amraphel (q.v.), the contemporary of Abraham. It stood on the Euphrates, about 200 miles above its junction with the Tigris, which flowed through its midst and divided it into two almost equal parts. The Elamites invaded Chaldea (i.e., Lower Mesopotamia, or Shinar, and Upper Mesopotamia, or Accad, now combined into one) and held it in subjection. At length Khammu-rabi delivered it from the foreign yoke, and founded the new empire of Chaldea (q.v.), making Babylon the capital of the united kingdom. This city gradually grew in extent and grandeur, but in process of time it became subject to Assyria. On the fall of Nineveh (B.C. 606) it threw off…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

in the Apocalypse, is the symbolical name by which Rome is denoted. (Revelation 14:8; 17:18) The power of Rome was regarded by the later Jews as was that of Babylon by their forefathers. Comp. (Jeremiah 51:7) with Reve 14:8 The occurrence of this name in (1 Peter 5:13) has given rise to a variety of conjectures, many giving it the same meaning as in the Apocalypse; others refer it to Babylon in Asia, and others still to Babylon in Egypt. The most natural supposition of all is that by Babylon is intended the old Babylon of Assyria, which was largely inhabited by Jews at the time in question.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. A celebrated city situated on the Euphrates, the original foundation of which is described under the word Babel. Wit this coincide many ancient traditions, while some speak of Semiramis as the founder, and others of Nebuchadnezzar. These accounts may all be reconciled, by supposing that Semiramis rebuilt the ancient city, and the Nebuchadnezzar. These accounts may all be reconciled, by supposing that Semiramis rebuilt the ancient city, and that Nebuchadnezzar afterwards greatly enlarged and adorned it.

Babylon lay in a vast and fertile plain watered by the Euphrates, with flowed through the city. Its walls are described as 60 miles in circumference, 300 feet high, and 75 feet wide, Jer 51:44- 58. A deep trench ran parallel with the walls. In each of the four sides were 25 brazen gates, from which roads crossed to the opposite…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

same as Babel

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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