Lexical Summary zera: seed Original Word: זְרַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance seed (Aramaic) corresponding to zera'; posterity -- seed. see HEBREW zera' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to zera Definition a seed NASB Translation seed (1). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Semantic Field Strong’s Hebrew 2234 (Aramaic) zᵉraʿ conveys the idea of “seed,” “offspring,” or “descendants.” While the Hebrew cognate is widespread, the Aramaic form appears only in Daniel 2:43, yet it carries forward the rich scriptural theme of seed as the vehicle of life, covenant, and continuity. Biblical Context In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream outlines successive world empires symbolized by a great statue. The feet and toes, “partly of iron and partly of clay,” represent a divided kingdom. Daniel interprets: “As you saw the iron mixed with clay, so the peoples will mix with one another, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay” (Daniel 2:43). The term zᵉraʿ (“peoples” literally “seed”) highlights intermingling of dynasties and ethnic groups in a final composite realm lacking true cohesion. Theological Significance 1. Human schemes versus divine sovereignty: The fractured “seed” of Daniel 2:43 underscores that political alliances and dynastic intermarriage cannot achieve the lasting unity that only God’s kingdom brings (Daniel 2:44). Historical Background Ancient Near Eastern kings often sealed alliances through intermarriage, seeking to blend “seed” for political stability. The later Hellenistic and Roman eras, to which many scholars relate the iron-clay symbolism, were rife with such unions. Yet conflicts among successor kingdoms (e.g., Seleucid-Ptolemaic) proved the futility Daniel foresaw. Intercanonical Connections • Genesis 3:15—first promise of the woman’s seed overcoming the serpent. Daniel’s solitary Aramaic use thus nests within a sweeping canonical arc: God preserves a righteous line culminating in Christ, while rebellious human empires fracture and fade. Practical and Ministry Implications 1. Hope amid instability: Believers reading Daniel can interpret present political fragmentation as confirmation of Scripture’s accuracy and God’s control. Summary Though occurring only once, zᵉraʿ in Daniel 2:43 powerfully contributes to the Bible’s grand narrative. It exposes the fragility of humanly engineered unity, magnifies the certainty of God’s everlasting kingdom, and encourages the faithful to invest in the enduring seed of the gospel. Forms and Transliterations בִּזְרַ֣ע בזרע biz·ra‘ bizRa bizra‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:43 HEB: מִתְעָרְבִ֤ין לֶהֱוֹן֙ בִּזְרַ֣ע אֲנָשָׁ֔א וְלָֽא־ NAS: they will combine with one another in the seed of men; KJV: they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: INT: will combine shall the seed of men not 1 Occurrence |
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