Lexical Summary beram: However, but, nevertheless Original Word: בְּרַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance but, nevertheless, yet (Aramaic) perhaps from ruwm with a prepositional prefix; properly, highly, i.e. Surely; but used adversatively, however -- but, nevertheless, yet. see HEBREW ruwm NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation Definition only, nevertheless NASB Translation however (3), yet (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs בְּרַם adverb with adversative force, only, nevertheless (derivation uncertain: NöM 202 = מָא + בָּר, literally except what: ᵑ7 בְּרַם often for אַח, אוּלָם; Syriac  Exodus 9:16; Exodus 21:21, and in NT for πλήν; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic  ,  ); — Daniel 2:28; Daniel 4:12 hew down the tree etc., בְּרַם ֗֗֗ שְׁבֻקוּ only leave the stump, etc., Daniel 4:20; Daniel 5:17; Ezra 5:13. Topical Lexicon Overview of Usage בְּרַם appears five times in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament (Ezra 5:13; Daniel 2:28; 4:15; 4:23; 5:17). In every case it functions as a strong adversative—“however,” “nevertheless,” or “but.” The particle signals a decisive contrast that either exalts the sovereign activity of God or clarifies a human response. Its consistent placement at pivotal moments makes it more than a mere connective; it is a theological hinge. Contextual Nuances in Ezra Ezra 5:13 records the response of Persian officials summarizing royal policy toward the Jerusalem temple: “However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this house of God.” The particle shifts the narrative from the officials’ suspicion to the previously established divine provision through Cyrus. It prevents the reader from interpreting opposition as final, underscoring that Yahweh’s purposes advance in spite of human resistance. Pivotal Role in Daniel’s Narratives 1. Daniel 2:28: “But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” The word redirects attention from human inability to divine omniscience, forming the theological center of the entire chapter. Theological Implications 1. Divine Sovereignty: Each occurrence redirects the narrative from human initiative or crisis to God’s overruling authority. Ministry Applications • Preaching: The particle’s pattern encourages expositors to highlight the “nevertheless” moments where God intervenes. Sermons can trace how divine contrasts overturn human expectations, reinforcing trust in the Lord’s supremacy. Summary בְּרַם is a small word carrying weighty theological freight. Whether pointing to Cyrus’s decree, God’s revelation of mysteries, the tempered judgment on Nebuchadnezzar, or Daniel’s fearless proclamation before Belshazzar, it consistently turns the spotlight from human circumstance to divine initiative. Recognizing and teaching these “nevertheless” pivots deepens appreciation for the Scripture’s coherent testimony to God’s unassailable reign. Forms and Transliterations בְּרַ֗ם בְּרַ֡ם בְּרַ֨ם בְּרַם֙ ברם bə·ram beRam bəramLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 5:13 HEB: בְּרַם֙ בִּשְׁנַ֣ת חֲדָ֔ה NAS: However, in the first year KJV: But in the first year INT: However year the first Daniel 2:28 Daniel 4:15 Daniel 4:23 Daniel 5:17 5 Occurrences |
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