Lexical Summary dechal: To fear, to be afraid, to revere Original Word: דְּחַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make afraid, dreadful, fear, terrible (Aramaic) corresponding to zachal; to slink, i.e. (by implication) to fear, or (causatively) be formidable -- make afraid, dreadful, fear, terrible. see HEBREW zachal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) a prim. root Definition to fear NASB Translation awesome (1), dreadful (2), fear (1), feared (1), made me fearful (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [דְּחַל] verb fear (so ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew II. זָחַל]; — Pe`al Participle active plural דָּֽחְלִין Daniel 5:19, with מִןקֳֿדָם of king, Daniel 6:27, id. of God; passive דְּחִיל terrible Daniel 2:31, feminine דְּחִילָה Daniel 7:7,19. Pa`el Imperfect3masculine singular suffix וִידֵחֲלִנַּנִי Daniel 4:2 the dream made me afraid. Topical Lexicon Overview דְּחַל appears six times in the Aramaic chapters of Daniel and conveys intense fear, dread, or awe that seizes human hearts when confronted with overwhelming power—whether earthly or divine. The contexts range from royal dreams to prophetic visions and imperial decrees, progressively guiding the reader from the dread of men to reverent fear before the living God. Usage in Daniel • Daniel 2:31 introduces the term as Nebuchadnezzar beholds the colossal statue: “This statue, large and dazzling, was standing before you, and its appearance was awesome.” The king’s unease anticipates the shattering of human empires before God’s kingdom (2:44). Source and Object of Fear Daniel contrasts two sources of fear: 1. Created powers—kings, empires, and apocalyptic beasts—produce dread through coercive strength. When men dread other men, judgment follows (5:30). When men fear God, deliverance and wisdom follow (2:19-23; 6:22). Thus דְּחַל traces a movement from misplaced fear to saving fear. Historical Background The term surfaces in courtly Aramaic during Judah’s exile under Babylonian and Medo-Persian rule. The Gentile setting underscores that the God of Israel governs global history. Dreams, visions, and royal decrees delivered in Aramaic were accessible to the nations, inviting them to share in proper fear of God (compare Jeremiah 10:7). Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty: Each occurrence unveils God’s supremacy over kings and kingdoms, turning human dread into acknowledgment of His rule. Ministry Implications • Pastoral Comfort: Believers facing oppressive powers can remember that even the most terrifying forces are subject to God’s decree. Intertextual Connections דְּחַל parallels Hebrew יָרֵא and פָּחַד, linking Daniel to a broader biblical theology of fear (Exodus 20:20; Isaiah 8:12-13). The New Testament echoes the theme: “Let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29), showing continuity from exile to the church. Practical Reflection The sixfold use of דְּחַל charts a spiritual journey: ungodly fear, convicting fear, misdirected fear, corrected fear, eschatological fear, and, finally, triumphant reverence. As believers meditate on Daniel, they are called to transfer dread of unstable earthly powers to worshipful awe of the unshakable King whose dominion endures forever. Forms and Transliterations דְּחִֽיל׃ דְּחִילָ֣ה דְּחִילָה֩ דחיל׃ דחילה וְדָ֣חֲלִ֔ין וְדָחֲלִ֖ין וִֽידַחֲלִנַּ֑נִי ודחלין וידחלנני də·ḥî·lāh də·ḥîl deChil dechiLah dəḥîl dəḥîlāh vedachaLin vidachalinNani wə·ḏā·ḥă·lîn wəḏāḥălîn wî·ḏa·ḥă·lin·na·nî wîḏaḥălinnanîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:31 HEB: לְקָבְלָ֑ךְ וְרֵוֵ֖הּ דְּחִֽיל׃ NAS: of you, and its appearance was awesome. KJV: thee; and the form thereof [was] terrible. INT: front appearance was awesome Daniel 4:5 Daniel 5:19 Daniel 6:26 Daniel 7:7 Daniel 7:19 6 Occurrences |
    |