Daniel 3:1 — Word Study
WLCנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֣ר מַלְכָּ֗א עֲבַד֙ צְלֵ֣ם דִּֽי־ דְהַ֔ב רוּמֵהּ֙ אַמִּ֣ין שִׁתִּ֔ין פְּתָיֵ֖הּ אַמִּ֣ין שִׁ֑ת אֲקִימֵהּ֙ בְּבִקְעַ֣ת דּוּרָ֔א בִּמְדִינַ֖ת בָּבֶֽל׃
BSAKingmelek [ruler, monarch] NebuchadnezzarNᵉbûwkadnetstsar madeʻăbad [constructed, fashioned] a goldendᵉhab [valuable, precious] statuetselem [image, idol] sixtyshittîyn [threescore] cubitsʼammâh [ancient units of measurement] highrûwm and sixshêth [the number of imperfection] cubitsʼammâh widepᵉthay and he set it upqûwm [established, erected] on the plainbiqʻâʼ△ [flat valley] of DuraDûwrâʼ△ [dwelling place] in the provincemᵉdîynâh [region, district] of BabylonBabel [confusion, mixing]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֣ר | Nebuchadnezzar | Noun proper masculine |
| מַלְכָּ֗א | king the | Noun common both singular determined, particle |
| עֲבַד֙ | he made | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| צְלֵ֣ם | an image | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| דִּֽי־ | of | Conjunction |
| דְהַ֔ב | gold | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| רוּמֵהּ֙ | height its | Noun common both singular construct, suffix |
| אַמִּ֣ין | [was] cubits | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| שִׁתִּ֔ין | sixty | Adj |
| פְּתָיֵ֖הּ | width its | Noun common both singular construct, suffix |
| אַמִּ֣ין | [was] cubits | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| שִׁ֑ת | six | Adj |
| אֲקִימֵהּ֙ | he set up it | Verb infinitive absolute plural third person masculine singular, suffix |
| בְּבִקְעַ֣ת | on [the] plain of | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct |
| דּוּרָ֔א | Dura | Noun proper |
| בִּמְדִינַ֖ת | in [the] province of | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct |
| בָּבֶֽל׃ | Babylon | Noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. |
| KJV | Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. |
| ASV | Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. |
| YLT | Nebuchadnezzar the king hath made an image of gold, its height sixty cubits, its breadth six cubits; he hath raised it up in the valley of Dura, in the province of Babylon; |
| WEB | Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. |
| BBE | Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide: he put it up in the valley of Dura, in the land of Babylon. |
Where they part company is שִׁתִּ֔ין — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured around a main clause with additional descriptive phrases that provide details about the statue and its location.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעֲבַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
2 of 17 occur nowhere else in the Old Testament — words chosen on purpose.
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 3:1
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 Image of Goldgenerated
Daniel 3:1 describes King Nebuchadnezzar's construction of a grand golden statue, which he erected on the plain of Dura in Babylon. This act signifies the king's authority and the cultural emphasis on idolatry during his reign. The subsequent verses detail the gathering of officials for the statue's dedication, highlighting the importance of this event in the Babylonian empire.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 2:31–32 | As you, O king, were watching, a great statue appeared. A great and dazzling statue stood before you, and its form was awesome. |
| 2 | Daniel 5:23 | Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. |
| 3 | Exodus 20:23 | You are not to make any gods alongside Me; you are not to make for yourselves gods of silver or gold. |
| 4 | Exodus 32:2–4 | So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 7:25 | You must burn up the images of their gods; do not covet the silver and gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it; for it is detestable to the LORD your God. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 24 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — צְלֵם, tze.Lemgenerated
The word צְלֵם (tzelem) means 'image' or 'idol' in Hebrew and Aramaic. It emphasizes a representation, often in a religious context, and is used to denote a false likeness of God, which is cautioned against in biblical texts.
In this verse, the use of צְלֵם underscores the act of idolatry that Nebuchadnezzar is committing by creating a physical representation of power, which diverts worship from God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses statue for צְלֵם. The KJV and ASV also use image, maintaining the focus on the idol's significance.
Where translations differ is in the rendering of שִׁתִּ֔ין — sixty (BBE, BSB, KJV) versus threescore (ASV, KJV). This reflects a choice in numerical expression without altering the meaning.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb עֲבַד (he made) governs the sentence, with a noun phrase as the subject and a series of descriptive phrases detailing the statue's dimensions and location. The structure emphasizes the action of making and the significance of the statue.
The sentence's flow leads from the subject, King Nebuchadnezzar, to the object, the statue, and concludes with its placement, highlighting the king's authority and the cultural context of idolatry.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates צְלֵם as εἰκόνα (eikona), which also means 'image' but can imply a more general representation. This choice reflects the Greek understanding of idolatry and its implications in the ancient world.
The translation of עֲבַד as ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen) indicates a direct action of making, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning while emphasizing the act of creation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Daniel 3:1 tells us that King Nebuchadnezzar made a large golden statue that was sixty cubits tall and six cubits wide. He set it up on the plain of Dura in Babylon, a significant act that reflects the king's authority and the cultural practice of idolatry.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The statue represents an act of idolatry, where Nebuchadnezzar seeks to unify his kingdom under the worship of a physical image, diverting attention from the true God.
The large size of the statue emphasizes the king's power and authority, serving as a visual representation of his rule and the cultural values of Babylon.
The plain of Dura was chosen for its visibility and accessibility, making the statue a focal point for the people and officials of Babylon during its dedication.
This event highlights the conflict between faithfulness to God and the pressures of a pagan culture, a recurring theme in the book of Daniel.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does this passage teach about the nature of authority and power?
- How can we recognize and resist the pressures of idolatry in our own lives?
- What does the construction of the statue reveal about Nebuchadnezzar's character?
- In what ways can we remain faithful to our beliefs in a culture that promotes different values?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers comment on this verse to illustrate the conflict between idolatry and true worship, with insights drawn from their writings.
"In the eighteenth year," etc. (These words are wanting in the Vulgate, etc.) A considerable space of time having elapsed, therefore, and the eighteenth year being now in its course, the king, calling to mind his vision,Early Church Fathers on Daniel 3 →
Verse 1. "Nebuchadnezzar the king made a golden statue seventy cubits in height and six cubits in breadth." How soon he forgot the truth, when he had just been worshipping a servant of God as if he had been God Himself,Early Church Fathers on Daniel 3 →
Our Lord is good and loves humankind, so the creator and ruler desires “all to be saved and to know the truth” and “does not seek the death of the wicked but that they should turn and live.” Indeed,Early Church Fathers on Daniel 3 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Daniel 3:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleNebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold,.... Not of solid gold; but either of a plate of gold, and hollow within; or of wood overlaid with gold; for otherwise it must have took up a prodigious
Read John Gill on Daniel 3 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryNebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Read Robert Jamieson on Daniel 3 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleDANIEL CHAPTER 3 Nebuchadnezzar setting up an image commandeth all persons to worship it, . Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are accused of disobeying the command, . The king threateneth them; their resolute answer, . They are cast into the fiery furnace, . God delivereth them unhurt out of it, which Nebuchadnezzar seeing blesseth God, and acknowledgeth his power, . Their advancement, . This daring sin of Nebuchadnezzar was aggravated many ways, by the greatness of the kingdom and majesty God had given him, by the late discovery made to him when Daniel interpreted his dream, by his conviction and confession upon it of that great God and his sovereign power: this is the height of ingratitude…
Read Matthew Poole on Daniel 3 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDaniel 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height [was] threescore cubits, [and] the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.Ver. 1. Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold.] Having taken Tyre, which was that great service spoken of in Ezekiel 29:18, subdued Egypt, which was his pay for his pains at Tyre, and overthrown Nineveh, as Nahum had foretold, he was so puffed up with his great success that he set up this monstrous statue of himself, to be adored by all on pain of death. That it was his own image which he here erected for such a purpose, as did also afterwards Gaius Caligula, the Roman emperor, it is…
Read John Trapp on Daniel 3 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(1) An image.—If this image was made after the manner described (Isaiah 44:9-20), the body was formed of wood, and the whole, when properly shaped, was covered with thin plates of gold. As the height of the whole is disproportionate to the width, it is probable that the height of the pedestal on which the image stood is included under the sixty cubits. Plain of Dura.—The older commentators identified this place with various sites, some north, some east of Babylon. Recent discoveries place it nearer to Babylon, in a place still called by a similar name.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Daniel 3 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER III Nebuchadnezzar, having erected an image, whose height (including probably a very high pedestal) was sixty cubits, and the breadth six, ordered a numerous assembly, which he had convened, to fall down and worship it; threatening, at the same time, that whosoever refused should be cast into a fiery furnace, 1-7; a punishment not uncommon in that country, (see Jeremiah 29:22.) Daniel's three companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who were present, being observed to refrain from this idolatrous worship, were accused before the king; who, in great wrath, commanded them to comply with his orders on pain of death, 8-15. But these holy men, with the greatest composure and…
Read AdamClarke on Daniel 3 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–7. Nebuchadnezzar’s proclamation regarding the image.
Read Cambridge on Daniel 3 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleNebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold - The time when he did this is not mentioned; nor is it stated in whose honor, or for what design, this colossal image was erected.
Read Albert Barnes on Daniel 3 →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
King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden statue made. It was ninety feet tall and nine feet wide. He erected it on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
Tyndale line
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose hight was sixty cubits, and the breadth of it six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchad-nezzar the King made an image of gold, whose height was three score cubits, and the breadth thereof sixe cubites: hee set it vp in the plaine of Dura, in the prouince of Babel.
Strictly literal
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits, [and] its breadth six cubits; he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar the king hath made an image of gold, its height sixty cubits, its breadth six cubits; he hath raised it up in the valley of Dura, in the province of Babylon;
Nebuchadnezzar the king has made an image of gold, its height sixty cubits, its breadth six cubits; he has raised it up in the Valley of Dura, in the province of Babylon;
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits, and the breadth of which was six cubits: he set it up in the valley of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue that was sixty cubits tall and six cubits wide. He set it up in the Plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
From the Latin
King Nabuchodonosor made a statue of gold, of sixty cubits high, and six cubits broad, and he set it up in the plain of Dura of the province of Babylon.
Simplified
King Nebuchadnezzar had a gold statue made that was sixty cubits tall and six cubits wide. He had it set up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide: he put it up in the valley of Dura, in the land of Babylon.
Word by word, the decisions they made
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.
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 Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with 15 of the 17 words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, but the core content aligns with the Masoretic Text, affirming the consistency of the narrative.
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֣ר מַלְכָּ֗א עֲבַד֙ צְלֵ֣ם דִּֽי־ דְהַ֔ב רוּמֵהּ֙ אַמִּ֣ין שִׁתִּ֔ין פְּתָיֵ֖הּ אַמִּ֣ין שִׁ֑ת אֲקִימֵהּ֙ בְּבִקְעַ֣ת דּוּרָ֔א בִּמְדִינַ֖ת בָּבֶֽל׃
15 of the 17 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.
[נבוכדנצר] [מלכ] [א] [עבד] [צלם] די דהב רומ׳ה אמין שתין פתי׳ה אמין שת [אקימ׳ה] [בבקעת] [דורא] במדינת בבל
9 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 8 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.
Lexicons — every word in Daniel 3:1
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.
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר (Nbuwkadnetstsar) refers to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon known for capturing Jerusalem and exiling the people of Judah. The name is of Aramaic origin and translates to "may Nebo protect the crown." He is first mentioned in 2 Kings 24:1 and is noted as the father of Belshazzar.
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר 31 n.pr.m.
base
H5020 נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר
5020 Nbuwkadnetstsar neb-oo-kad-nets-tsar'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 5019:--Nebuchadnezzar.
see HEBREW for 05019
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר, נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר (ne.vu.khad.nets.tsar) — Nebuchadnezzar.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.24.1;
father of: Belshazzar (H1112)
Aramaic of ne.vu.khad.nets.tsar (נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר, נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר "Nebuchadnezzar" H5019)
§ Nebuchadnezzar = "may Nebo protect the crown"
the great king of Babylon who captured Jerusalem and carried Judah captive
Adj — Noun proper masculineANpm
Nebuchadnezzar
In the Babylonian orthography Nabu-kudur-uzur, which means “Nebo, protect the crown!” or the “frontiers.” In an inscription he styles himself “Nebo’s favourite.” He was the son and successor of Nabopolassar, who delivered Babylon from its dependence on Assyria and laid Nineveh in ruins. He was the greatest and most powerful of all the Babylonian kings. He married the daughter of Cyaxares, and thus the Median and Babylonian dynasties were united.
Necho II., the king of Egypt, gained a victory over the Assyrians at Carchemish. (See JOSIAH; MEGIDDO.) This secured to Egypt the possession of the Syrian provinces of Assyria, including Palestine. The remaining provinces of the Assyrian empire were divided between Babylonia and Media. But Nabopolassar was ambitious of reconquering from Necho the western provinces of Syria, and for this purpose he sent his son with a…
Called in Jeremiah Nebuchadnezzar, the son and successor of Nabopolassar, succeeded to the kingdom of Chaldea about 600 B. C. He had been some time before associated in the kingdom, and sent to recover Carchemish, which had been wrested from the empire by Necho king of Egypt. Having been successful, he marched against the governor of Phoenicia, and Jehoiakim king of Judah, tributary of Necho king of Egypt. He took Jehoiakim, and put him in chains to carry him captive to Babylon; but afterwards he left him in Judea, on condition of his paying a large annual tribute. He took away several persons from Jerusalem; among others, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, all of the royal family, whom the king of Babylon caused to be carefully educated in the language and learning of the Chaldeans, that they might be employed at court, 2Ki…
Nebuchadrezzar, tears and groans of judgment
→ Also called NEBUCHADREZZAR
→ King of Babylon Jer 21:2
→ Empire of
→ See BABYLON
→ His administration Da 1; 2; 3; 4
→ Conquests
Of Jerusalem 2Ki 24; 25; 1Ch 6:15; 2Ch 36:5-21; Ezr 1:7; Jer 39
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.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 178 n.m. king
base
H4430 מֶ֫לֶךְ
4430 melek meh'-lek
(Aramaic) corresponding to 4428; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04428
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
king
Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428)
§ 1) king
Adj | Art — Noun common both singular determined · particleANcbsd/Ta
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;
"a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country." --Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1; 12:12) The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor…
עֲבַד (abad) primarily means to make or do. It encompasses actions such as creating, performing, or executing tasks. The word can also imply a state of being made or done, as noted in its various forms. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עֲבַד vb. make, do
Pe.
make
do
Hithpe.
be made into
be done, wrought
base
H5648 עֲבַד
5648 `abad ab-bad'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 5647; to do, make, prepare, keep,
etc.:--X cut, do, execute, go on, make, move, work.
see HEBREW for 05647
עֲבַד (a.vad) — to make.
1) to make, do
1a)(P'al)
1a1) to make, create
1a2) to do, perform
1b) (Ithp'al)
1b1) to be made into
1b2) to be done, be wrought, be performed, be executed, be carried out
Adj — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularAVqp3ms
צְלֵם (tselem) refers to an 'image' or 'idol,' derived from a related term. It appears in both Hebrew and Aramaic contexts, emphasizing its use in reference to idolatrous figures. The entries consistently highlight its meaning as a representation or form, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
צְלֵם 17 n.m. image
base
H6755 צְלֵם, צֶלֶם, צְלֶם
6755 tselem tseh'-lem
(Aramaic) or tslem (Aramaic) {tsel-em'}; corresponding to
6754; an idolatrous figure:--form, image.
see HEBREW for 06754
צְלֵם (tse.lem) — image.
image, idol
Aramaic of tse.lem (צֶ֫לֶם "image" H6754)
Adj — Noun common · both singular absoluteANcbsa
im'-aj (tselem; eikon): Its usage falls under 3 main heads.
(1) "Image" as object of idolatrous worship (translations about a dozen words, including maccekhah, "molten image" (De 9:12, etc.); matstsebhah, in the King James Version translated "image" or "pillar," in the Revised Version (British and American) always "pillar" (Ex 23:24, etc.); pecel, "graven image" (Ex 20:4, etc.); tselem, "image" (2Ki 11:18, etc.); eikon, "image" (e.g. Re 14:9));
(2) of man as made in the image of God; (3) of Christ as the image of God. Here we are concerned with the last two usages. For "image" in connection with idolatrous practices, see…
[IDOL]
An exact and complete copy or counterpart of any thing. Christ is called "the image of God," 2Co 4:4 Col 1:15 Heb 1:3, as being the same in nature and attributes. The image of God in which man was created, Ge 1:27 was in his spiritual, intellectual, and moral nature, in righteousness and true holiness. The posterity of Adam were born in his fallen, sinful likeness, Ge 5:3; and as we have borne the image of sinful Adam, so we should be molded into the moral image of the heavenly man Christ, 1Co 15:47-49 2Co 3:18.
דִּי (diy) is an Aramaic word meaning 'that,' functioning as a relative conjunction and a preposition in various contexts. It can indicate relationships such as 'who,' 'which,' or 'because,' and is used in adverbial phrases. The entries highlight its role in connecting clauses and marking possession.
דִּי part. of relation, who, which, that, used also as mark of gen. and conj. that, because
base
H1768 דִּי
1768 diy dee
(Aramaic) apparently for 1668; that, used as relative
conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial
phrases; also as preposition of:--X as, but, for(-asmuch +), +
now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, + what
(-soever), when, which, whom, whose.
see HEBREW for 01668
דִּי (di) — that.
part of relation
1) who, which, that
mark of genitive
2) that of, which belongs to, that
conj
3) that, because
AC — ConjunctionAC
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.
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…
דְּהַב (dhab) is an Aramaic word meaning 'gold.' It is derived from the Hebrew word זָהָב (zahav, H2091). The entries consistently identify it as a noun referring to the precious metal.
דְּהַב 23 n.m. gold
base
H1722 דְּהַב
1722 dhab deh-hab'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 2091; gold:--gold(- en).
see HEBREW for 02091
דְּהַב (de.hav) — gold.
gold
Aramaic of za.hav (זָהָב "gold" H2091)
Adj — Noun common · both singular absoluteANcbsa
gold (zahabh; chrusos):
1. Terms:
No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).
Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17;
Gold
(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).
(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or “fine gold” (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).
Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by…
A well-known valuable metal, found in many parts of the world, and obtained anciently in Ophir, Job 28:16; Parvaim, 2Ch 3:6; Sheba, and Raamah, Eze 27:22. Job alludes to gold in various forms, Job 22:24 28:15-19. Abraham was rich in it, and female ornaments were early made of it, Ge 13:2 24:22,35. It is spoken of throughout Scripture; and the use of it among and ancient Hebrews, in its native and mixed state, and for the same purposes as at present, was very common. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with pure gold; the mercy seat, the vessels and utensils belonging to the tabernacle, and those also of the house of…
רוּם (ruwm) means 'height' in Hebrew and is derived from an Aramaic root. The entries consistently define it as referring to altitude or height, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[רוּם] n.m. height
base
H7314 רוּם
7314 ruwm room
(Aramaic) from 7313; (literally) altitude:--height.
see HEBREW for 07313
רוּם (rum) — height.
height
Aramaic of rum (רוּם "height" H7312)
Adj | Suff — Noun common both singular construct · suffixANcbsc/Sp3ms
אַמָּה (ammah) means 'cubit,' a unit of measurement based on the length of the forearm, approximately 18 inches (0.5 meters). The word is noted in both Hebrew and Aramaic contexts, with references to its use in measuring distance.
[אַמָּה] n.f. cubit
base
H521 אַמָּה
521 'ammah am-maw'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 520:--cubit.
see HEBREW for 0520
אַמָּה (am.mah) — cubit.
cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5 m)
Aramaic of am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0520A)
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteANcmpa
שִׁתִּין (shittiyn) is an Aramaic word meaning 'sixty' or 'threescore.' It is derived from the Hebrew word for sixty, שִׁשִּׁים (shishim). The entries consistently define it as a numerical term without significant disagreement.
שִׁתִּין n.indecl. sixty
base
H8361 שִׁתִּין
8361 shittiyn shit-teen'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 8346 (compare 8353);
sixty:--threescore.
see HEBREW for 08346
see HEBREW for 08353
שִׁתִּין (shit.tin) — sixty.
sixty, threescore
Aramaic of shish.shim (שִׁשִּׁים "sixty" H8346)
Adj — AdjAAcmpa
siks'-ti (shishshim; hexekonta).
See NUMBER.
פְּתָי (pthay) refers to 'breadth' or 'width' in Hebrew. It is derived from a root that corresponds to another word meaning 'open.' The entries consistently define it as a noun related to dimensions, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[פְּתָי] n.[m.] breadth
base
H6613 פְּתָי, פְּתַי
6613 pthay peth-ah'-ee
(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to 6601; open, i.e. (as
noun) width:--breadth.
see HEBREW for 06601
פְּתָי (pe.tay) — breadth.
width, breadth
Adj | Suff — Noun common both singular construct · suffixANcbsc/Sp3ms
אַמָּה (ammah) means 'cubit,' a unit of measurement based on the length of the forearm, approximately 18 inches (0.5 meters). The word is noted in both Hebrew and Aramaic contexts, with references to its use in measuring distance.
[אַמָּה] n.f. cubit
base
H521 אַמָּה
521 'ammah am-maw'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 520:--cubit.
see HEBREW for 0520
אַמָּה (am.mah) — cubit.
cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5 m)
Aramaic of am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0520A)
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteANcmpa
שֵׁת (shet) means 'six' and is noted as an Aramaic term corresponding to the Hebrew word for six, שֵׁשׁ (shesh). The entries confirm its use as a cardinal number without additional meanings or significant disagreements.
שֵׁת, שִׁ֑ת n.m. six
base
H8353 שֵׁת, שִׁ֑ת
8353 sheth shayth
(Aramaic) or shith (Aramaic) {sheeth}; corresponding to
8337:--six(-th).
see HEBREW for 08337
שֵׁת (shet) — six.
six (as cardinal number)
Aramaic of shesh (שֵׁשׁ "six" H8337)
Adj — AdjAAcbsa
קוּם (qum) means to rise or stand, and encompasses a range of actions such as establishing, appointing, and enduring. It can denote both physical rising and figurative actions like coming on the scene or being made to stand. The entries reflect various grammatical forms, including P'al, Pael, Aphel, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
[קוּם] vb. arise, stand
Pe.
lit. arise
fig. = come on the scene of history
arise (out of inaction), and build
stand
Pa. set up, establish an ordinance
Haph.
set up
lift up one side
establish
appoint
Hoph. be made to stand
base
H6966 קוּם
6966 quwm koom
(Aramaic) corresponding to 6965:--appoint, establish, make,
raise up self, (a-)rise (up), (make to) stand, set (up).
see HEBREW for 06965
קוּם (qum) — to stand: rise.
: rise/get_going
1) to arise, stand
1a) (P'al)
1a1) to arise from
1a2) to come on the scene (fig)
1a3) to arise (out of inaction)
1a4) to stand
1a5) to endure
1b) (Pael) to set up, establish
1c) (Aphel)
1c1) to set up
1c2) to lift up
1c3) to establish
1c4) to appoint
1d) (Hophal) to be made to stand
קוּם (qum) — to stand: raise.
: raise
1) to arise, stand
1a) (P'al)
1a1) to arise from
1a2) to come on the scene (fig)
1a3) to arise (out of inaction)
1a4) to stand
1a5) to endure
1b) (Pael) to set up, establish
1c) (Aphel)
1c1) to set up
1c2) to lift up
1c3) to establish
1c4) to appoint
1d) (Hophal) to be made to stand
קוּם (qum) — to stand: establish.
: establish/stand_firm/confirm/fulfill/fix
1) to arise, stand
1a) (P'al)
1a1) to arise from
1a2) to come on the scene (fig)
1a3) to arise (out of inaction)
1a4) to stand
1a5) to endure
1b) (Pael) to set up, establish
1c) (Aphel)
Adj | Suff — Verb infinitive absolute plural third person masculine singular · suffixAVap3ms/Sp3ms
בִּקְעָא (biq`a') means 'plain' in Aramaic, derived from a related term for 'valley.' It appears in the context of Daniel 3:1, where it refers to a flat area.
[בִּקְעָא] n.f. plain;—cstr. Dn 3:1.
ref
H1236 בִּקְעָא
1236 biq`a' bik-aw'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 1237:--plain.
see HEBREW for 01237
בִּקְעָא (biq.a) — plain.
plain
Aramaic of biq.ah (בִּקְעָה "valley" H1237K)
Adj | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular constructAR/Ncfsc
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.
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…
דּוּרָא (Duwra') refers to a location in Babylonia, specifically mentioned in Daniel 3:1. The name is thought to mean 'dwelling' or 'circle.' It is associated with the place where Nebuchadnezzar erected a golden image, though its exact site is uncertain.
דּוּרָא n.pr.loc. near Bab., only Dn 3:1
ref
H1757 דּוּרָא
1757 Duwra' doo-raw'
(Aramaic) probably from 1753; circle or dwelling; Dura, a
place in Babylonia:--Dura.
see HEBREW for 01753
דּוּרָא (du.ra) — Dura.
§ Dura = "dwelling"
a place in Babylonia where Nebuchadnezzar set up the golden image, site uncertain
Adj — Noun properANpl
du'-ra (dura'): The name of the plain on which Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, set up the great golden image which all his subjects were ordered to worship (Da 3:1). Oppert placed it to the Southeast of Babylon, near a small river and mounds bearing the name of Douair or Duair, where, also, was what seemed to be the base of a great statue (Exped. scientifique en Mesopotamie, I, 238 f). Others have believed that name to indicate a portion of the actual site of Babylon within the great wall (duru) of the city--perhaps the rampart designated dur Su-anna, "the rampart (of the city) Lofty-defense," a name of Babylon.
The fact that the plain was within the city of Babylon precludes an identification with the city Duru, which seems to have lain in the neighborhood of Erech (Hommel, Grundriss, 264, note 5). It is noteworthy that the…
Dura
The circle, the plain near Babylon in which Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image, mentioned in Dan. 3:1. The place still retains its ancient name. On one of its many mounds the pedestal of what must have been a colossal statue has been found. It has been supposed to be that of the golden image.
(a circle), the plain where Nebuchadnezzar set up the golden image, (Daniel 3:1) has been sometimes identified with a tract a little below Tekrit , on the left bank of the Tigris, where the name Dur is still found. M. Oppert places the plain (or, as he calls it, the "valley") of Dura to the southeast of Babylon, in the vicinity of the mound of Dowair or Duair , where was found the pedestal of a huge statue.
The plain in Babylon where Nebuchadnezzar set up his golden image. Da 3:1.
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.
[מְדִינָה] n.f. (judicial) district, province
base
H4083 מְדִינָה
4083 mdiynah med-ee-naw'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 4082:--province.
see HEBREW for 04082
מְדִינָה (me.di.nah) — province.
district, province
Aramaic of me.di.nah (מְדִינָה "province" H4082)
Adj | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular constructAR/Ncfsc
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.
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…
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.
בָּבֶל n.pr.loc. Babylon
base
H895 בָּבֶל, בַּבֶל
895 Babel baw-bel'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 894:--Babylon.
see HEBREW for 0894
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
Adj — Noun properANpl
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…
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.
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…
same as Babel