Lexical Summary bea: To seek, to request, to ask Original Word: בְּעָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ask, desire, make petition, pray, request, seek (Aramaic) or b ah (Aramaic) {beh-aw'}; corresponding to ba'ah; to seek or ask -- ask, desire, make (petition), pray, request, seek. see HEBREW ba'ah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to baah Definition to ask, seek NASB Translation asking (1), looked (1), made request (1), makes (1), makes a petition (1), making (1), making petition (1), request (1), requested (2), seeking (1), trying (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בְּעָא verb ask, seek, only Daniel (Biblical Hebrew בעה (rare)); — Pe`al Perfect3masculine singular ׳ב Daniel 2:16,49; 3masculine plural בְּעוֺ Daniel 2:13; 1plural בְּעֵ֫ינָא Daniel 2:23; Imperfect3masculine singular יִבְעֵא Daniel 6:8; Daniel 6:13; 1singular אֶבְעֵאֿ Daniel 7:16; Infinitive לְמִבְעֵא Daniel 2:18; Participle בָּעֵא Daniel 6:12; Daniel 6:14, plural בָּעַ֫יִן Daniel 6:5; — 1 ask, request, with מִן person Daniel 2:16 (object clause with דִּי), Daniel 2:49; Daniel 7:16 (+ accusative of thing); ask of God Daniel 2:23 (+ id.), of God or man Daniel 6:8 (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb), Daniel 6:13; with מִןקֳֿדָם of God Daniel 2:18 (accusative of thing); = pray, ׳וּמִתְחַנֵּקֳדָם א ׳ב Daniel 6:12, ׳ב Daniel 6:14. 2 seek, accusative of person Daniel 2:13, accusative of thing Daniel 6:5. Pa`el Imperfect3masculine plural יְבַעוֺן (K§ 47, 3); Mon the passage conjecture יִבְעוֺן) Daniel 4:33 resort (for favours) to, ל person Topical Lexicon Meaning and Semantic Range בְּעָא conveys the act of seeking, requesting, or petitioning with earnest intent. In the Aramaic sections of Daniel it describes (1) pursuit of persons, (2) formal appeals to earthly rulers, (3) supplication before God, and (4) inquiry concerning divine revelation. These nuances highlight both horizontal and vertical dimensions of dependence—people depend on kings and counselors, but ultimately on the Sovereign God who answers prayer. Occurrences in Daniel 1. Seeking to execute or locate (Daniel 2:13; 6:4). Patterns of Human Petition Daniel demonstrates respectful yet courageous petition toward earthly authorities. “So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time” (Daniel 2:16). His approach models wisdom—he honors the ruler while trusting God for the outcome. Conversely, scheming officials “sought to find a ground of accusation against Daniel” (Daniel 6:4), revealing how requests can be twisted for oppression. Prayer as Covenant Loyalty Three key texts show that בְּעָא expresses covenant faithfulness: Persistent prayer is portrayed not as ritual but as allegiance to the living God, even under threat of death. Conflict over Prayer in Daniel 6 The Persian edict forbidding petitions to any god or man except the king weaponized בְּעָא to challenge divine supremacy. Daniel’s refusal to compromise led to the lions’ den, but his deliverance affirmed that true authority belongs to God. The narrative warns against any human system that seeks to monopolize worship. Inquiry and Revelation After the beastly vision, Daniel “approached one of those standing by and asked him the truth concerning all this” (Daniel 7:16). Here בְּעָא functions in prophetic inquiry, showing that understanding God’s mysteries often begins with humble questioning. The answer given anchors the hope of God’s everlasting kingdom. Historical Context The word appears exclusively in the Aramaic chapters (Daniel 2–7), a section addressing Gentile empires from Babylon to Persia. The term therefore operates within courtly settings where decrees, counsel, and petitions shaped imperial life. Yet the narrative repeatedly subordinates imperial power to divine sovereignty, reinforcing Israel’s faith during exile. Theological Significance 1. Dependence on God: Human petitions find their ultimate answer in God’s wisdom and mercy (Daniel 2:23). Christological Echoes Daniel’s faithful petitions foreshadow Jesus Christ, who often withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16) and taught, “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). Like Daniel, Christ faced decrees aimed at silencing divine allegiance, yet His resurrection vindicated steadfast obedience. Practical Application for Believers • Cultivate regular, open prayer regardless of cultural pressure. Forms and Transliterations אֶבְעֵֽא־ אבעא־ בְּעָ֣א בְעֵ֣ינָא בָּעֵ֖א בָּעֵ֥א בָעַ֧יִן בעא בעין בעינא וּבְע֛וֹ וּבְעָ֣ה ובעה ובעו יְבַע֑וֹן יִבְעֵ֣ה יִבְעֵה֩ יבעה יבעון לְמִבְעֵא֙ למבעא ’eḇ‘ê- ’eḇ·‘ê- ḇā‘ayin bā‘ê ḇā·‘a·yin bā·‘ê baE bə‘ā ḇə‘ênā bə·‘ā ḇə·‘ê·nā beA eve lə·miḇ·‘ê ləmiḇ‘ê lemivE ū·ḇə·‘āh ū·ḇə·‘ōw ūḇə‘āh ūḇə‘ōw uveAh uveO vaAyin veEina yə·ḇa·‘ō·wn yəḇa‘ōwn yevaon yiḇ‘êh yiḇ·‘êh yivEhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:13 HEB: וְחַכִּֽימַיָּ֖א מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין וּבְע֛וֹ דָּנִיֵּ֥אל וְחַבְר֖וֹהִי NAS: should be slain; and they looked for Daniel KJV: [men] should be slain; and they sought Daniel INT: the wise should be slain looked Daniel and his friends Daniel 2:16 Daniel 2:18 Daniel 2:23 Daniel 2:49 Daniel 4:36 Daniel 6:4 Daniel 6:7 Daniel 6:11 Daniel 6:12 Daniel 6:13 Daniel 7:16 12 Occurrences |
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