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Daniel 5:18 — Word Study

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WLCאַ֖נְתְּ מַלְכָּ֑א אֱלָהָא֙ עִלָּאָ֔ה מַלְכוּתָ֤א וּרְבוּתָא֙ וִיקָרָ֣א וְהַדְרָ֔ה יְהַ֖ב לִנְבֻכַדְנֶצַּ֥ר אֲבֽוּךְ׃

BSAAs for youʼantâh O kingmelek [supreme ruler] the Most Highʻillay [Elyon, sovereign God] Godʼĕlâhh gaveyᵉhab your fatherʼab [parent, ancestor] NebuchadnezzarNᵉbûwkadnetstsar [the king of Babylon] sovereigntymalkûw [kingdom, dominion] and greatnessrᵉbûw [magnificence, majesty] gloryyᵉqâr [honor, splendor] and honorhădar [esteem, dignity]

Word
Listen & take awayDaniel 5
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 18 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 ('a.Vukh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Daniel 5:18quick helps
In a sentenceDaniel reminds the king that the Most High God granted his father Nebuchadnezzar great power and authority.
Who is speakingDaniel, addressing King Belshazzar directly.
Where we areIn the midst of a royal banquet, where Daniel interprets a divine message.
The hard wordמַלְכוּתָא, mal.khu.Ta'
Take awayGod's sovereignty is supreme over earthly rulers.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיְהַב 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 5:18

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 Interpretation of the Writinggenerated

17In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him.
18As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.
19Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished.
20But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.

Daniel 5:18 recounts Daniel's message to King Belshazzar, reminding him of the sovereignty and greatness bestowed upon his father, Nebuchadnezzar, by the Most High God. This context highlights the contrast between divine authority and human pride, as Belshazzar's actions lead to his downfall, echoing the lessons learned from Nebuchadnezzar's reign.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Daniel 3:17–18If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king.
2Daniel 4:22you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth.
3Daniel 6:22My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”
4Acts 26:13–19About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions.
5Daniel 2:37–38You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word מַלְכוּתָא, mal.khu.Ta'generated

The word מַלְכוּתָא (mal.khu.Ta') refers to a kingdom or dominion, emphasizing the authority and rule of a king. It denotes not just the physical territory but also the reign and governance associated with kingship.

This noun is in the feminine singular form, indicating a specific kingdom or realm. Its usage in this verse underscores the power that Nebuchadnezzar held, granted by God, and serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly kingdoms.


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.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb יְהַ֖ב, he gave, governs the entire clause, with several noun phrases detailing what was given and to whom. The structure emphasizes the relationship between God and the king, highlighting divine authority.

The sentence flows from the subject אֱלָהָא֙ (God) to the object מַלְכוּתָא (kingdom), creating a clear hierarchy of power and purpose in the message delivered to the king.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translators chose the word βασιλεία (basileia) to render מַלְכוּתָא, indicating a focus on the realm or kingdom as a governing authority. This choice aligns with the Greek understanding of kingship.

This translation shows a consistent interpretation of the concept of rulership, emphasizing the significance of divine appointment in the context of earthly governance.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Daniel 5:18 reminds King Belshazzar that the Most High God granted his father, Nebuchadnezzar, great power and authority. This highlights the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty over earthly rulers.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God gave Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty?

It means that God appointed Nebuchadnezzar as a ruler, granting him the authority to govern and control his kingdom.

Why is Nebuchadnezzar significant in this context?

Nebuchadnezzar is significant because he represents the height of earthly power, yet his story serves as a warning about pride and the consequences of forgetting God's authority.

What can we learn from Daniel's message to the king?

Daniel's message teaches us about the importance of humility before God and the recognition of His ultimate authority over all rulers and kingdoms.

How does this verse relate to the broader themes in the book of Daniel?

This verse relates to the themes of divine sovereignty and the fallibility of human pride, which are central to the narrative of Daniel and his interactions with various kings.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I seen God's authority in my own life or in the world around me?
  2. How can I remain humble and acknowledge God's sovereignty in my daily decisions?
  3. What lessons can I learn from Nebuchadnezzar's rise and fall as a ruler?
  4. How can I apply the message of Daniel to my understanding of leadership and authority?

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

Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss God's sovereignty and the nature of kingship, as seen in their writings.

John ChrysostomHOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF Matthew 24:2 c. 347–407
And in the Old Testament it may be found, in that grace many times came on unworthy persons that it might do good to others.… Nebuchadnezzar was very full of iniquity; yet to him [Daniel] revealed what was to follow after many generations.
Early Church Fathers on Daniel 5 →
Theodoret of CyrusCOMMENTARY ON Daniel 5:18-19 c. 393–460
Do not think it was by relying on his own strength that your father subjected the whole world and brought under one kingdom the countless races of the nations speaking various tongues.
Early Church Fathers on Daniel 5 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Daniel 5:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

O thou king,.... "Hear" (t), O king; so Aben Ezra supplies it; what he was about to say first, in order to prepare him for the meaning of the handwriting, and the cause of it; or, "thou knowest", as

Read John Gill on Daniel 5 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: The most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom.

Read Robert Jamieson on Daniel 5 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

This the prophet repeats, to put Belshazzar in mind how God dealt with his father; for it is good for kings to read over the story of their ancestors, and take warning, and take example. In the first they are seamarks, in the second landmarks.

Read Matthew Poole on Daniel 5 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Daniel 5:18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:Ver. 18. O thou king, the most high God gave Nebachadnezzar.] See here the necessary and profitable use of history, which hath its name, saith Plato, παρατοισταναιτονρουν, from stopping the flux and overflow of impiety in others; “ Exemplo alterius qui sapit, ille sapit. ” Domestic examples are most prevalent; as not to profit by them is a great provocation, and yet all too common. Lamech was nothing bettered by Cain’ s punishment, but the contrary. Jude inveigheth against such as made no use of Sodom’ s ruin; this was a just presage and desert of their own. And kingdom…

Read John Trapp on Daniel 5 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18) The most high God.—Comp. this and the three following verses with Daniel 4:16-17; Daniel 4:22-25.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Daniel 5 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 18. Nebuchadnezzar thy father] Or grandfather, as the margin reads, Daniel 5:2. See Clarke on Daniel 5:1.

Read AdamClarke on Daniel 5 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

18–24. Before interpreting the writing Daniel reads the king a lesson. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, combined with his refusal to recognize the sovereignty of the true God, had brought upon him a bitter humiliation: Belshazzar has exhibited the same faults yet more conspicuously: and the present sign has been sent in order to warn him of the impending punishment. 18 the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty] Cf. Daniel 4:22; Daniel 4:36.

Read Cambridge on Daniel 5 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom ... - This reference to Nebuchadnezzar is evidently designed to show to Belshazzar the wickedness of his own course, and the

Read Albert Barnes on Daniel 5 →

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

As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

“To you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.

NETBNew English Translation2006

As for you, O king, the most high God bestowed on your father Nebuchadnezzar a kingdom, greatness, honor, and majesty.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:

RVARevised Version, American1894

O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor:

GNVGeneva Bible1599

O King, heare thou, The most high God gaue vnto Nebuchad-nezzar thy father a kingdome, and maiestie, and honour and glory.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

thou, O king, God Most High, a kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and honour, gave to Nebuchadnezzar thy father:

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

you, O king, God Most High, a kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and honor, gave to your father Nebuchadnezzar:

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

O thou king! the most high God gave kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and honor unto Nebuchadnezzar thy father;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

As for you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, greatness, honor, and majesty.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

O king, the most high God gave to Nabuchodonosor thy father a kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and honour.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar this kingdom, and power, glory, and majesty.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

As for you, O King, the Most High God gave to Nebuchadnezzar, your father, the kingdom and great power and glory and honour:

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.

clauseclauseאַ֖נְתְּyouclausenoun phraseמַלְכָּ֑Oאkingclausenoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseאֱלָהָ(the)א֙Godadjective phraseעִלָּאָ֔(the).MostהHighnoun phrase · objectnoun phraseמַלְכוּתָ֤theאkingdomוּandnoun phraseרְבוּתָtheא֙greatnessוִandnoun phraseיקָרָ֣theאhonorוְandnoun phraseהַדְרָ֔theהmajestyverbיְהַ֖בhe.gaveprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִtonoun phraseנְבֻכַדְנֶצַּ֥רNebuchadnezzarnoun phraseאֲבֽfatherוּךְyour

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


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

The Masoretic Text presents the verse as it stands, while the Septuagint matches 8 of the 11 words, indicating a strong alignment in meaning. The Dead Sea Scrolls show partial restoration, suggesting some textual variations but overall agreement with the Masoretic Text.

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

אַ֖נְתְּ מַלְכָּ֑א אֱלָהָא֙ עִלָּאָ֔ה מַלְכוּתָ֤א וּרְבוּתָא֙ וִיקָרָ֣א וְהַדְרָ֔ה יְהַ֖ב לִנְבֻכַדְנֶצַּ֥ר אֲבֽוּךְ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אַ֖נְתְּ’’מַלְכָּ֑א’’אֱלָהָא֙’’עִלָּאָ֔ה’’מַלְכוּתָ֤א’’יְהַ֖ב’’לִנְבֻכַדְנֶצַּ֥ר’’אֲבֽוּךְ׃’’

8 of the 11 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

[אנת] [מלכ] [א] אלה א עלי א מלכות [א] [ורבות] [א] [ויקר] א והדר [היהב] [לנבכדנצר] [אבו׳ך]

6 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 10 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 5:18אנתהyouyouאנתהמֶ֫לֶךְking Oking Oמֶ֫לֶךְאֱלָהּGodGodאֱלָהּעִלַּיMost High tMost High theעִלַּימַלְכוּkingdom thekingdom theמַלְכוּרְבוּand greatneand greatness tרְבוּיְקָרand honor tand honor theיְקָרהֲדַרand majestyand majesty theהֲדַריְהַבhe gavehe gaveיְהַבנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּרto Nebuchadto Nebuchadnezzנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּראַבfather yourfather yourאַבהֲדַרto honorto honorהֲדַראַתָּ֫הyou(m.s.)you(m.s.)אַתָּ֫המֶ֫לֶךְKing'sKing'sמֶ֫לֶךְאֱלֹהַּgodgodאֱלֹהַּעִלִּיupperupperעִלִּימַלְכוּתroyaltyroyaltyמַלְכוּתרָבָהto multiplto multiplyרָבָהיְקָרpreciousnepreciousnessיְקָריָהַבto giveto giveיָהַבנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּרNebuchadneNebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּראָבfatherfatherאָבשׇׁלְטָןdominiondominionשׇׁלְטָןתְּדִירָאתְּדִירָאפְּלַחto serveto serveפְּלַחעֲנָהto answerto answerעֲנָהאֲמַרto sayto sayאֲמַריְרוּשְׁלֵםJerusalemJerusalemיְרוּשְׁלֵםבַּ֫יִתhousehouseבַּ֫יִת
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 5:18

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.

you king O God Most High the kingdom the and greatness the and honor the and majesty the he gave to Nebuchadnezzar father your
אַ֖נְתְּ'an.tah you H607 Pronoun
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The word thou means you, a second-person singular pronoun used to address someone directly. It appears in Aramaic texts, such as in the book of Daniel.
Tyndale gloss
you
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אנתה (antah) is an Aramaic word meaning 'thou' or 'you,' specifically in the second person singular form. It corresponds to the Hebrew word אתה (attah, Strong's H859). The term appears in the context of addressing someone directly, and is noted for its peculiar usage in Biblical Aramaic.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אנתה Kt 14 (i.e. אַנְתָּה, peculiar to BAram.) pr.2ms. thou

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H607 אנתה, אַנְתָּה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

607 'antah an-taw'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 859; thou:--as for thee, thou.

see HEBREW for 0859

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַנְתָּה (an.tah) — you.

you, thou (second pers. sing.)

Aramaic of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Pronoun
APp2ms
you king O God Most High the kingdom the and greatness the and honor the and majesty the he gave to Nebuchadnezzar father your
מַלְכָּ֑אmal.Ka' king O 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
supreme ruler
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
you king O God Most High the kingdom the and greatness the and honor the and majesty the he gave to Nebuchadnezzar father your
אֱלָהָא֙'e.la.Ha' God H426 Noun common both singular determined · particle
95× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means God, referring to the God of Israel or a heathen deity, as seen in various KJV translations. It is used to describe a divine being.
Tyndale gloss
god
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱלָהּ (elah) refers to a deity, encompassing both the concept of God in a general sense and specifically the God of Israel. It can also denote heathen deities. The word is rooted in Aramaic, corresponding to another term for God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱלָהּ 94 n.m. god, God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H426 אֱלָהּ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

426 'elahh el-aw'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 433; God:--God, god.

see HEBREW for 0433

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱלָהּ (e.lah) — god.

1) god, God

1a) god, heathen deity

1b) God (of Israel)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | Art — Noun common both singular determined · particle
ANcbsd/Ta
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).

The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:

(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…

you king O God Most High the kingdom the and greatness the and honor the and majesty the he gave to Nebuchadnezzar father your
עִלָּאָ֔הi.la.ya' Most High the H5943 Particle
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A name for God, meaning the Most High, emphasizing His supreme power and authority. It is used in Genesis 14:18-22, where Melchizedek blesses Abram in the name of the Most High God. This title shows God's dominance over all things.
Amplified meaning
Elyon, sovereign God
Tyndale gloss
Most High
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עִלַּי (illay) is an Aramaic word meaning 'Most High' or 'highest.' It is derived from a related term that also conveys the idea of being 'upper.' The entries consistently emphasize its use in a supreme context, particularly referring to God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עִלַּי] adj. highest

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5943 עִלַּי

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5943 `illay il-lah'-ee

(Aramaic) corresponding to 5942; supreme (i.e. God):--(most)

high.

see HEBREW for 05942

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִלַּי (il.lay) — Most High.

highest, the Most High

Aramaic of il.li (עִלִּי "upper" H5942)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | Art — Particle
AAabsd/Ta
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Thompson Chain Reference topics

a title given Jehovah

De 32:8; 2Sa 22:14; Ps 7:17; 47:2; 83:18; Da 4:17

--SEE Living God, LIVING GOD

you king O God Most High the kingdom the and greatness the and honor the and majesty the he gave to Nebuchadnezzar father your
מַלְכוּתָ֤אmal.khu.Ta' kingdom the H4437 Noun common feminine singular determined · particle
57× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A kingdom refers to the territory or area ruled by a king, like King David's kingdom in Israel. It can also mean the reign or period of time a king is in power. The word is used in the Bible to describe royal authority and dominion.
Amplified meaning
kingdom, dominion
Tyndale gloss
kingdom
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַלְכוּ (malkuw) refers to concepts of royalty and dominion, encompassing meanings like kingdom, reign, and kingly authority. It is used in both abstract and concrete contexts, indicating a realm or territory as well. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַלְכוּ n.f. royalty, reign, kingdom

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4437 מַלְכוּ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4437 malkuw mal-koo'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 4438; dominion (abstractly or

concretely):--kingdom, kingly, realm, reign.

see HEBREW for 04438

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַלְכוּ (mal.khu) — kingdom.

1) royalty, reign, kingdom

1a) royalty, kingship, kingly authority

1b) kingdom

1c) realm (of territory)

1d) reign (of time)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | Art — Noun common feminine singular determined · particle
ANcfsd/Ta
you king O God Most High the kingdom the and greatness the and honor the and majesty the he gave to Nebuchadnezzar father your
וּרְבוּתָא֙u.re.vu.Ta' and greatness the H7238 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular determined · particle
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Refers to greatness or majesty, describing something or someone of high dignity and importance, as seen in the KJV translations of greatness and majesty.
Amplified meaning
magnificence, majesty
Tyndale gloss
greatness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רְבוּ (rebû) refers to the concept of greatness or majesty. It is derived from a root that suggests an increase in dignity. The term is noted in Aramaic and is associated with the idea of elevated status.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רְבוּ n.f. greatness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7238 רְבוּ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7238 rbuw reb-oo'

(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to 7235; increase (of

dignity):--greatness, majesty.

see HEBREW for 07235

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רְבוּ (re.vu) — greatness.

greatness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | N-fs | Art — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular determined · particle
AC/Ncfsd/Ta
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Thompson Chain Reference topics

(1) Of God

De 3:24; Ps 77:13; 95:3; 104:1; 135:5; 145:3; Isa 12:6

Jer 32.18 Mal 1.11

--SEE Power, POWER

Universal King, SOVEREIGNTY

God's Majesty, MAJESTY, GOD'S

(2) Of Christ

Isa 53:12; 63:1; Mt 12:6; Lu 11:31; Php 2:9,10

--SEE Pre-eminence of Christ, CHRIST'S DIVINITY

Christ King, SOVEREIGNTY

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
you king O God Most High the kingdom the and greatness the and honor the and majesty the he gave to Nebuchadnezzar father your
וִיקָרָ֣אvi.ka.Ra' and honor the H3367 Conjunction · noun common both singular determined · particle
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Aramaic word means honor or esteem, and is used to describe someone of great dignity or respect. It is translated as 'glory' or 'honor' in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
honor, splendor
Tyndale gloss
honor
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְקָר (yqar) means 'honor' or 'esteem' and is linked to the Aramaic word for 'preciousness.' The entries indicate that it is derived from a related term, יָקָר (H3366), which also conveys a sense of value or glory.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יְקָר] n.m. honour

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3367 יְקָר

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3367 yqar yek-awr'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 3366:--glory, honour.

see HEBREW for 03366

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְקָר (ye.qar) — honor.

honour, esteem

Aramaic of ye.qar (יְקָר "preciousness" H3366)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | N-ms | Art — Conjunction · noun common both singular determined · particle
AC/Ncbsd/Ta
you king O God Most High the kingdom the and greatness the and honor the and majesty the he gave to Nebuchadnezzar father your
וְהַדְרָ֔הve.had.Rah' and majesty the H1923 Conjunction · noun common both singular determined · particle
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means great honor or magnificence, like the majesty of God. It appears in descriptions of God's glory and power. This concept is key to understanding God's character in the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
esteem, dignity
Tyndale gloss
honor
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֲדַר (hadar) refers to concepts of honor and majesty. It is derived from the Aramaic root meaning 'to honor.' The entries consistently emphasize its association with magnificence and dignity, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[הֲדַר] n.[m.] honour, majesty, of kg.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1923 הֲדַר

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1923 hadar had-ar'

(Aramaic) from 1922; magnificence:--honour, majesty.

see HEBREW for 01922

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֲדַר (ha.dar) — honor.

honour, majesty

Aramaic of ha.dar (הָדַר "to honor" H1921)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | N-ms | Art — Conjunction · noun common both singular determined · particle
AC/Ncbsd/Ta
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Name of God Heb 1:3; 8:1

→ See GOD

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
you king O God Most High the kingdom the and greatness the and honor the and majesty the he gave to Nebuchadnezzar father your
יְהַ֖בye.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
you king O God Most High the kingdom the and greatness the and honor the and majesty the he gave to Nebuchadnezzar father your
לִנְבֻכַדְנֶצַּ֥רlin.vu.khad.ne.Tzar to Nebuchadnezzar H5020 Preposition · noun proper masculine
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Nebuchadnezzar was a king of Babylon who lived during the time of the Divided Monarchy, and is first mentioned in 2 Kings 24:1. He was the father of Belshazzar and is known for capturing Jerusalem and taking Judah captive. His name is Aramaic for may Nebo protect the crown.
Amplified meaning
the king of Babylon
Tyndale gloss
Nebuchadnezzar
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר 31 n.pr.m.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5020 נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5020 Nbuwkadnetstsar neb-oo-kad-nets-tsar'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 5019:--Nebuchadnezzar.

see HEBREW for 05019

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculine
AR/Npm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

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…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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…

→ 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

→ Of Egypt 2Ki 24:7; Jer 46:2

→ Of Tyre Eze 29:18

→ An instrument of God's judgments Jer 27:8

→ Prophecies concerning Jer 21:7,10; 22:25; 25:9; 27:6-9; 32:28; 43:10; 46:13; 49:30-33;

you king O God Most High the kingdom the and greatness the and honor the and majesty the he gave to Nebuchadnezzar father your
אֲבֽוּךְ׃'a.Vukh father your H2 Noun common both singular construct · suffix
9× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The word ab means father, and is used throughout the Bible to refer to paternal relationships, such as God as the father of humanity, or Abraham as the father of the Jewish people.
Amplified meaning
parent, ancestor
Tyndale gloss
father
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַב (ab) means 'father' in Hebrew and is also used in Aramaic. The entries confirm that it is a noun and emphasize its meaning as a parental figure.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אַב, אַבָּא] n.m. father

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2 [אַב, אַבָּא] father

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2 'ab ab

(Aramaic) corresponding to 1:--father.

see HEBREW for 01

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַב (av) — father.

father

Aramaic of av (אָב "father" H0001)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | Suff — Noun common both singular construct · suffix
ANcbsc/Sp2ms
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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