2906. tur
Lexical Summary
tur: mountain

Original Word: טוּר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tuwr
Pronunciation: toor
Phonetic Spelling: (toor)
KJV: mountain
NASB: mountain
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H6697 (צּוּר צּוּר - rock)]

1. a rock or hill

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
mountain

(Aramaic) corresponding to tsuwr; a rock or hill -- mountain.

see HEBREW tsuwr

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to tsur
Definition
mountain
NASB Translation
mountain (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
טוּר noun masculine mountain (ᵑ7, Syriac, Nabataean, SAC58; Biblical Hebrew צוּר, √ V. צור); — absolute ׳ט Daniel 2:35; emphatic טוּרָא Daniel 2:45.

Topical Lexicon
Occurrences in Scripture

טוּר appears twice, both in the Aramaic section of Daniel (Daniel 2:35; Daniel 2:45). In each case it designates the “mountain” from which, or into which, the messianic “stone” is involved in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

Historical and Linguistic Setting

The book of Daniel alternates between Hebrew and Aramaic. Chapters 2–7 are written in Imperial Aramaic, the diplomatic language of the Babylonian and Persian courts. Within this milieu, טוּר functions as the courtly Aramaic counterpart to the Hebrew הַר (har, mountain). Its limited use underscores the vividness of the dream narrative rather than establishing a broad lexical field.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Origin

Daniel interprets the stone that “was cut out of the mountain without hands” (Daniel 2:45) as a work produced entirely by God. The mountain therefore represents the heavenly source of the kingdom that will replace all earthly empires. Unlike the composite, man-made statue, the mountain is untouched by human craftsmanship, underscoring the transcendence of God’s plan.

2. Kingdom Expansion

In Daniel 2:35 the stone “became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” The movement from singular stone to encompassing mountain graphically depicts the universality of God’s kingdom (cf. Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 11:9). טוּר is thus a symbol of unstoppable growth, contrasting with the fragmentation of the statue’s brittle feet.

3. Contrast with Pagan Power Centers

Mountains in the Ancient Near East often hosted temples to national deities. By portraying the true God’s kingdom as a mountain that eclipses the imperial image, Daniel challenges Babylonian claims of cosmic authority. The imagery confirms that “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:17).

Prophetic and Christological Implications

1. Messianic Stone

The stone “cut without hands” has long been understood as typifying the Messiah. Passages such as Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22, Matthew 21:42–44, Acts 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:6–8 link the rejected stone motif to Jesus Christ. The mountain supplying the stone, therefore, indirectly points to the Father’s initiative in sending the Son.

2. Eschatological Fulfillment

Daniel’s mountain anticipates the consummation described in Revelation 11:15: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.” The final, unified mountain-kingdom stands in stark relief against the divided metals of human empire, validating prophetic consistency from Daniel to Revelation.

Ministry Applications

• Assurance of God’s Sovereignty

Believers ministering in pluralistic or hostile environments can draw confidence from the vision of the mountain that supplants every human regime.

• Gospel Mission

The stone that “became a great mountain” encourages evangelism with the certainty that the kingdom will indeed “fill the whole earth.” Mission work participates in this foretold expansion.

• Holiness and Separation

The stone is “cut without hands,” calling the Church to rely on divine power rather than political maneuver. Ministry strategy is measured by faithfulness to the King, not by assimilation to the culture’s metals.

Related Biblical Themes and Cross References

Genesis 49:24 – “the Rock of Israel”

Exodus 19:16–20 – Sinai as meeting place with God

Psalm 18:2 – “The LORD is my rock”

Isaiah 2:2 – “The mountain of the house of the LORD will be established”

Micah 4:1–3 – worldwide pilgrimage to the mountain of the LORD

Hebrews 12:18–24 – contrast between Sinai and the heavenly Mount Zion

Summary

Though appearing only twice, טוּר powerfully serves Daniel’s purpose: to reveal a divine, everlasting kingdom that originates beyond human agency, shatters every rival power, and expands until it fills the earth. The mountain in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream therefore stands as a timeless reminder of God’s unassailable rule and the ultimate triumph of the Messiah’s kingdom.

Forms and Transliterations
לְט֥וּר לטור מִטּוּרָא֩ מטורא lə·ṭūr leTur ləṭūr miṭ·ṭū·rā mittuRa miṭṭūrā
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Daniel 2:35
HEB: לְצַלְמָ֗א הֲוָ֛ת לְט֥וּר רַ֖ב וּמְלָ֥ת
NAS: a great mountain and filled
KJV: a great mountain, and filled
INT: the statue became mountain A great and filled

Daniel 2:45
HEB: חֲזַ֡יְתָ דִּ֣י מִטּוּרָא֩ אִתְגְּזֶ֨רֶת אֶ֜בֶן
NAS: was cut out of the mountain without
KJV: was cut out of the mountain without
INT: saw out of the mountain was cut A stone

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2906
2 Occurrences


lə·ṭūr — 1 Occ.
miṭ·ṭū·rā — 1 Occ.

2905
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