1884. dethabar

Lexical Summary

dethabar: Decree, command

Original Word: דְּתָבָר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: dthabar
Pronunciation: deh-thah-bar
Phonetic Spelling: (deth-aw-bawr')
KJV: counsellor
NASB: judges
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) of Pers. origin]

1. meaning one skilled in law
2. a judge

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

counselor

(Aramaic) of Pers. Origin; meaning one skilled in law; a judge -- counsellor.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
(Aramaic) of foreign origin
Definition
a judge
NASB Translation
judges (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[דְּתָבָר] noun masculine judge (loan-word from Persian dâtabara, law-bearer, judge (compare דִּינָיֵא), Andr^{M 59*} Mey^{Entst. J. 23} Dr^Dn; in Babylonian as dâtabar(r)i Hilpr^{Babylonian Exp. ix. 28}); — plural emphatic דְּתָֽבְרַיָּא Daniel 3:2,3.

Topical Lexicon

Term Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 1884, דְּתָבָר, designates a class of civil officers in the Babylonian administration during the exile period. They appear only in Daniel 3:2 and Daniel 3:3, situated within a list of high-ranking officials summoned by King Nebuchadnezzar for the dedication of his golden image. The context indicates officials responsible for the execution and enforcement of royal decrees—functionally akin to judges or magistrates whose duty was to see that the king’s commands were carried out within the provinces.

Historical Setting

Daniel 3 is set in the Neo-Babylonian Empire early in the sixth century B.C., after the first deportations of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar II, having consolidated his territories, organized a highly stratified bureaucracy to administer his vast realm. Titles such as satraps, prefects, governors, counselors, treasurers, judges, and magistrates reflect both Median-Persian and Babylonian influences, showing how the Chaldean court integrated officials from conquered peoples in order to maintain control. The דְּתָבָר functioning as judicial officers formed part of this multi-layered system intended to guarantee political stability and absolute loyalty to the monarch.

Administrative Role in Babylonian Governance

1. Judicial Authority: The דְּתָבָר exercised legal oversight, adjudicating cases in accordance with imperial law and ensuring compliance with royal edicts.
2. Law Enforcement: Their presence at the dedication ceremony reveals their responsibility to enforce Nebuchadnezzar’s command to worship the image under penalty of death (Daniel 3:6).
3. Provincial Representation: Because they are summoned together with satraps and governors, they likely operated at the provincial level, bridging local populations and the central authority.

Biblical Context in Daniel

Daniel 3:2–3 records the gathering: “Then King Nebuchadnezzar summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces…” (Berean Standard Bible). The list is repeated verbatim in verse 3, highlighting the completeness of the official attendance. The choice to mention each office twice underlines the totality of governmental participation in the king’s idolatrous initiative. The דְּתָבָר, as part of this cohort, represent the coercive power of the state compelling worship contrary to God’s revealed will.

Theological Implications

1. Conflict of Allegiance: The office of דְּתָבָר underscores the perennial tension between earthly authority and divine sovereignty. While Romans 13:1 affirms that “there is no authority except from God,” Daniel 3 shows that human authorities can demand homage that belongs exclusively to God, creating a direct conflict for the faithful.
2. Integrity under Pressure: The stand of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrates that civil officers, however intimidating, cannot override covenant loyalty (Daniel 3:16–18).
3. Witness to the Nations: When the king’s edict is nullified by God’s miraculous deliverance, the gathered officials—including the דְּתָבָר—become eyewitnesses to Yahweh’s supremacy (Daniel 3:27–29). Their presence magnifies the international scope of the testimony.

Application for Ministry Today

• Discernment in Civic Engagement: Believers serving in governmental or legal fields face similar pressures to conform to policies that may contradict biblical convictions. Daniel 3 encourages steadfast obedience to God even when lawful authority demands compromise.
• The Role of Law in Society: The narrative reminds the church to pray for magistrates (1 Timothy 2:1–2) and to work toward just laws that honor God and protect religious liberty.
• Courageous Leadership: Pastors and ministry leaders can draw from the example of the three Hebrews to inspire congregations facing hostile cultural mandates.

Related Scripture Themes

• Unjust Laws: Exodus 1:15–17; Esther 3:13; Acts 4:18–20
• Civil Obedience vs. Obedience to God: Acts 5:29; Revelation 13:15
• Divine Deliverance from State Persecution: Psalm 34:7; 2 Timothy 4:17

Through the brief yet potent appearances of דְּתָבָר, Scripture highlights the critical intersection of faith and public authority, calling every generation to uphold God’s commands above all earthly decrees while trusting Him for vindication and deliverance.

Forms and Transliterations

דְּתָ֨בְרַיָּ֜א דְּתָבְרַיָּא֙ דתבריא də·ṯā·ḇə·ray·yā dəṯāḇərayyā detaveraiYa

Englishman's Concordance

Daniel 3:2
HEB: אֲדַרְגָּזְרַיָּא֩ גְדָ֨בְרַיָּ֤א דְּתָבְרַיָּא֙ תִּפְתָּיֵ֔א וְכֹ֖ל
NAS: the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates
KJV: the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs,
INT: the counselors the treasurers the judges the magistrates and all

Daniel 3:3
HEB: אֲדַרְגָּזְרַיָּ֣א גְדָבְרַיָּא֩ דְּתָ֨בְרַיָּ֜א תִּפְתָּיֵ֗א וְכֹל֙
NAS: the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates
KJV: the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs,
INT: the counselors the treasurers the judges the magistrates and all

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1884
2 Occurrences

də·ṯā·ḇə·ray·yā — 2 Occ.