1289. berak

Lexical Summary

berak: To flash, to gleam, to shine

Original Word: בְּרַךְ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: brak
Pronunciation: baw-rak'
Phonetic Spelling: (ber-ak')
NASB: blessed, kneeling
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H1288 (בָּרַך - blessed)]

1. bless, kneel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

bless, kneel

(Aramaic) corresponding to barak -- bless, kneel.

see HEBREW barak

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to barak
Definition
to kneel, bless
NASB Translation
blessed (4), kneeling (1).

Topical Lexicon

Linguistic and Canonical Setting

בְּרַךְ appears only in the Aramaic sections of Daniel (Daniel 2–7). While the underlying Hebrew root is familiar throughout Scripture, this Aramaic form is confined to the sixth-century exile narrative, underscoring that praise to the living God transcends both language and location. Amid an imperial court that prized human wisdom and idolatrous pomp, the verb marks decisive moments when divine sovereignty is publicly confessed.

Narrative Function in Daniel

1. Daniel 2:19–20: Upon receiving the mystery of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, “Daniel blessed the God of heaven” and exclaimed, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.” The first use of בְּרַךְ frames the entire exile story: true wisdom issues in worship.
2. Daniel 3:28: After the fiery furnace deliverance, the pagan king himself cries, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.” God’s saving acts compel even hostile rulers to employ covenant vocabulary.
3. Daniel 4:34: Having been humbled, Nebuchadnezzar testifies, “I blessed the Most High and honored and glorified Him who lives forever.” Personal restoration is sealed with praise, demonstrating that repentance culminates in blessing the Lord.
4. Daniel 6:10: Under the threat of lions, Daniel “prayed and gave thanks to his God,” literally blessing Him while kneeling. Lifelong habits of worship prove stronger than political decrees.

Theology of Blessing in Exile

• Divine Initiative: Each instance follows a prior act of revelation or deliverance; blessing is response, not negotiation.
• Public Witness: The verb is voiced in palace corridors, royal edicts, and open windows toward Jerusalem. Praise becomes an apologetic before nations.
• Reversal of Powers: Earthly monarchs—Nebuchadnezzar and later Darius—find their authority relativized by the God they are compelled to bless.
• Continuity with Israel’s Worship: Though the language shifts to Aramaic, the covenant pattern of blessing (Genesis 14:20; Psalm 103:1) endures, signaling God’s unbroken faithfulness.

Christological and Prophetic Trajectory

Daniel’s episodes prefigure the ultimate exaltation of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13–14). The recurring theme of pagans blessing the Most High anticipates the ingathering of the nations who, in Jesus Christ, will confess, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9). The verb thus foreshadows universal doxology centered on the Messiah.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Crisis Worship: Believers facing cultural pressure may model Daniel 6:10—regular, open blessing of God despite legal or social cost.
• Evangelistic Praise: Public acknowledgment of God’s deliverance, as in Daniel 3:28, invites skeptics to consider His power.
• Leadership Humility: Nebuchadnezzar’s transformation shows how blessing God dismantles pride; ministry leaders can cultivate this posture to guard against self-glory.
• Formation of Habit: Daniel’s thrice-daily rhythm encourages structured liturgies of blessing (morning, noon, evening) that anchor faith communities.

Related Terms and Concepts

• “Bless” in Hebrew narrative (Strong’s 1288) highlights continuity between pre-exilic and exilic worship.
• “Give thanks” (יְדָה) complements בְּרַךְ, often appearing alongside it (e.g., Daniel 6:10), illustrating the inseparable link between gratitude and blessing.
• “Kneel” as bodily expression (cf. Psalm 95:6) reinforces that blessing engages the whole person—mind, mouth, and posture.

Conclusion

בְּרַךְ in Daniel portrays blessing as the spontaneous, courageous, and transformative response to God’s supreme wisdom, power, and mercy. Whether uttered by a captive prophet or a chastened emperor, the word resounds through Scripture as a summons for every generation to join the chorus: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever.”

Forms and Transliterations

בְּרִ֤יךְ בָּרְכֵ֔ת בָּרִ֖ךְ בָּרֵ֣ךְ בריך ברך ברכת מְבָרַ֔ךְ מברך bā·rə·ḵêṯ bā·rêḵ bā·riḵ baRech bareChet bārêḵ bārəḵêṯ baRich bāriḵ bə·rîḵ beRich bərîḵ mə·ḇā·raḵ məḇāraḵ mevaRach

Englishman's Concordance

Daniel 2:19
HEB: אֱדַ֙יִן֙ דָּֽנִיֵּ֔אל בָּרִ֖ךְ לֶאֱלָ֥הּ שְׁמַיָּֽא׃
NAS: Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven;
KJV: Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
INT: Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven

Daniel 2:20
HEB: דִּֽי־ אֱלָהָא֙ מְבָרַ֔ךְ מִן־ עָלְמָ֖א
NAS: of God be blessed forever
KJV: answered and said, Blessed be the name
INT: forasmuch of God be blessed for forever

Daniel 3:28
HEB: נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֜ר וְאָמַ֗ר בְּרִ֤יךְ אֱלָהֲהוֹן֙ דִּֽי־
NAS: and said, Blessed be the God
KJV: and said, Blessed [be] the God
INT: Nebuchadnezzar and said Blessed be the God who

Daniel 4:34
HEB: (וּלְעִלָּאָה֙ ק) בָּרְכֵ֔ת וּלְחַ֥י עָלְמָ֖א
NAS: returned to me, and I blessed the Most High
KJV: unto me, and I blessed the most High,
INT: returned high blessed who forever

Daniel 6:10
HEB: בְיוֹמָ֜א ה֣וּא ׀ בָּרֵ֣ךְ עַל־ בִּרְכ֗וֹהִי
NAS: Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees
KJV: Jerusalem, he kneeled upon
INT: A day he kneeled upon his knees

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1289
5 Occurrences

bā·rêḵ — 1 Occ.
bā·rə·ḵêṯ — 1 Occ.
bā·riḵ — 1 Occ.
bə·rîḵ — 1 Occ.
mə·ḇā·raḵ — 1 Occ.