230. azda

Lexical Summary

azda: Certain, sure, true

Original Word: אֲזָד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: azad
Pronunciation: az-daw'
Phonetic Spelling: (az-zawd')
KJV: be gone
NASB: firm
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation]

1. firm

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

be gone

(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation; firm -- be gone.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation
Definition
sure, assured
NASB Translation
firm (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אַזְדָּא (so Gi, with most MSS.; Baer אָֽזְדָא adjective sure, assured (Persian azda, Sanskrit addhâ, 'certain' (Kern^{ZDMG 1869, 220}); so first Nö^{KAT 2 617}; confirmed now by Egyptian Aramaic (RÉS^{361, B 3}) הן אזד יחעבד מן if it is made certain (certified) by, etc.; > ᵐ5 Ki AV and others (see Thea) as verb is gone, or (אָֽזְדָא) is going, from Talmud אֲזַד (= אֲזַל) go away (Levy^{NHWB i. 50}); so Scheft^{MGWJ 1903, 310} from Zend * azda 'gone,' participle passive of azaiti 'go'); — Daniel 2:5 מִלְּתָה מִנִּי אַוְדָּא, Daniel 2:8 דִּיאַֿזְדָּא מִנִּי מִלְּתָא the word is assured on my part (the thing is fully resolved upon by me: compareSyrver ; IE קַיָּימָא וֶאְמֶת); + Daniel 3:14(see צְדָא).

Topical Lexicon

Scriptural Instances

Daniel 2:5 – “The king replied, ‘The command from me is firm…’” (Berean Standard Bible)

Daniel 2:8 – “The king answered, ‘I know for certain that you are stalling for time…’” (Berean Standard Bible)

Historical Background

Both occurrences appear in Nebuchadnezzar’s court early in the sixth century B.C., when Babylon ruled much of the Near East and exiled Judeans—including Daniel—to serve the empire. Babylonian kings wielded absolute power; a spoken decree carried irrevocable authority. The word highlights that atmosphere of legal finality.

Literary Function in Daniel 2

1. Establishes the crisis: an unalterable decree drives the narrative by threatening the wise men with death if they cannot reveal and interpret the dream.
2. Exposes human impotence: the sages confess their inability, inviting divine intervention through Daniel.
3. Contrasts decrees: the king’s supposed certainty is overturned by God’s revelation, whereas God’s foretold rise and fall of kingdoms stands secure.

Theological Significance

• Ultimate certainty is divine. Nebuchadnezzar’s firmness dissipates; the Lord’s purposes remain (Isaiah 46:10).
• Revelation versus speculation. Human wisdom fails; divine insight prevails (Daniel 2:22).
• Authority and accountability. Earthly rulers bear real power yet remain subordinate to God, who alone speaks with absolute finality.

Intertextual Echoes

Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 24:35 all affirm the permanence of God’s word, sharpening the contrast with Nebuchadnezzar’s transient decree.

Ministry Applications

• Preaching: underscore the reliability of Scripture over shifting human pronouncements.
• Leadership counsel: caution against rash promises; model integrity in commitments (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
• Pastoral care: encourage believers that no earthly edict can frustrate God’s plan (Psalm 33:10-11).

Christological and Prophetic Insight

The “firm” royal command fades before the everlasting decree of the “stone” that becomes a mountain—Christ’s eternal kingdom (Daniel 2:34-45). The word therefore magnifies the contrast between temporal human authority and the unshakable reign of the Messiah.

Forms and Transliterations

אַזְדָּ֑א אַזְדָּ֖א אזדא ’az·dā ’azdā azDa

Englishman's Concordance

Daniel 2:5
HEB: מִלְּתָ֖א מִנִּ֣י אַזְדָּ֑א הֵ֣ן לָ֤א
NAS: The command from me is firm: if
KJV: The thing is gone from me:
INT: the command me is firm if will not

Daniel 2:8
HEB: חֲזֵית֔וֹן דִּ֥י אַזְדָּ֖א מִנִּ֥י מִלְּתָֽא׃
NAS: that the command from me is firm,
KJV: ye see the thing is gone from me.
INT: have seen forasmuch is firm from the command

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 230
2 Occurrences

’az·dā — 2 Occ.