2920. tal

Lexical Summary

tal: dew

Original Word: טַל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tal
Pronunciation: tahl
Phonetic Spelling: (tal)
NASB: dew
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) the same as H2919 (טַּל - dew)]

1. dew

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

dew

(Aramaic) the same as tal -- dew.

see HEBREW tal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to tal
Definition
dew
NASB Translation
dew (5).

Topical Lexicon

Topical Overview

טַל (Strong’s Hebrew 2920) appears uniquely within the Aramaic sections of Daniel, always rendered “dew” and linked to the humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar. Dew, in Scripture, is both a life-giving gift and a humbling element, falling silently and indiscriminately from heaven. In Daniel, its use underscores the LORD’s sovereign rule over kings and kingdoms (Daniel 4:17).

Occurrences in Daniel

1. Daniel 4:15 – In the dream, the felled tree’s stump is “left in the ground… and let him be drenched with the dew of heaven.”
2. Daniel 4:23 – The angel repeats the decree, emphasizing the dew’s role in Nebuchadnezzar’s coming abasement.
3. Daniel 4:25 – “You will be driven away from mankind… you will be drenched with the dew of heaven”.
4. Daniel 4:33 – Fulfilment: “his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.” The nightly dew testifies that God’s word stands.
5. Daniel 5:21 – Belshazzar is reminded that Nebuchadnezzar “was driven away from mankind… and his body was damp with the dew of heaven,” a warning unheeded.

Historical and Cultural Background

Mesopotamian agriculture depended more on rivers than rain. Night-time dew, while secondary as moisture, was essential for sustaining vegetation during arid seasons. Thus, to be “drenched with dew” signified exposure, homelessness and dependence on divine provision—conditions degrading for an emperor accustomed to luxury.

Theological Themes

• Divine Sovereignty: Dew becomes a tangible sign that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes” (Daniel 4:25).
• Humiliation Leading to Restoration: Nebuchadnezzar’s exposure to dew lasts “until you acknowledge that Heaven rules” (Daniel 4:26). Restoration follows repentance (Daniel 4:34-37).
• Remembrance and Warning: Belshazzar’s failure to learn from the dew-soaked humiliation of his predecessor (Daniel 5:21) hastens Babylon’s fall.

Intertextual Connections

Although טַל 2920 is limited to Daniel, its thematic resonance echoes broader biblical usage of dew (Hebrew טַּל 2919). Examples include:
• Blessing – Genesis 27:28; Hosea 14:5 “I will be like the dew to Israel”.
• Divine Teaching – Deuteronomy 32:2 “May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew.”
• Confirming Signs – Judges 6:37-40 (Gideon).
• Messianic and Eschatological Hope – Psalm 110:3; Isaiah 26:19 “Your dew is like the dew of the dawn; the earth will bring forth her dead”.

These links frame the Aramaic passages as part of a unified biblical testimony: dew pictures both God’s gentle blessing and His humbling discipline.

Christological Implications

Psalm 110:3 speaks of the Messiah’s “young men… like dew,” indicating a people willingly gathered to Him. The humbling motif in Daniel foreshadows the Incarnate King who, though possessing all authority, “humbled Himself” (Philippians 2:8). The dew that humbled Nebuchadnezzar thus indirectly points to the greater humility of Christ, by which true dominion is secured (Philippians 2:9-11).

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Humility before God: Believers are cautioned to “humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand” (1 Peter 5:6), lest discipline fall.
2. Dependence for Daily Grace: Just as vegetation quietly drinks nightly dew, disciples depend on the Spirit’s continual refreshment (Lamentations 3:22-23).
3. Warning to Leaders: Earthly authority is contingent upon recognition of the heavenly King; pride precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
4. Encouragement in Discipline: Even in chastening, the dew witnesses to God’s sustaining presence and intent to restore (Hebrews 12:10-11).

Conclusion

טַל in Daniel portrays divine sovereignty breaking human pride through the gentle yet inexorable agent of dew. The same element that revives parched land can abase a proud king, reminding every generation that blessing and discipline alike proceed from the unchanging LORD who “does as He pleases with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth” (Daniel 4:35).

Forms and Transliterations

וּבְטַ֤ל וּבְטַ֧ל וּמִטַּ֤ל וּמִטַּ֥ל ובטל ומטל ū·ḇə·ṭal ū·miṭ·ṭal ūḇəṭal umitTal ūmiṭṭal uveTal

Englishman's Concordance

Daniel 4:15
HEB: דִּ֣י בָרָ֑א וּבְטַ֤ל שְׁמַיָּא֙ יִצְטַבַּ֔ע
NAS: And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
KJV: and let it be wet with the dew of heaven,
INT: forasmuch of the field the dew of heaven him be drenched

Daniel 4:23
HEB: דִּ֣י בָרָ֑א וּבְטַ֧ל שְׁמַיָּ֣א יִצְטַבַּ֗ע
NAS: and let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
KJV: and let it be wet with the dew of heaven,
INT: forasmuch of the field the dew of heaven him be drenched

Daniel 4:25
HEB: לָ֣ךְ יְטַֽעֲמ֗וּן וּמִטַּ֤ל שְׁמַיָּא֙ לָ֣ךְ
NAS: and be drenched with the dew of heaven;
KJV: and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven,
INT: cattle and you be given the dew of heaven and be drenched

Daniel 4:33
HEB: כְתוֹרִין֙ יֵאכֻ֔ל וּמִטַּ֥ל שְׁמַיָּ֖א גִּשְׁמֵ֣הּ
NAS: was drenched with the dew of heaven
KJV: was wet with the dew of heaven,
INT: cattle eating the dew of heaven and his body

Daniel 5:21
HEB: כְתוֹרִין֙ יְטַ֣עֲמוּנֵּ֔הּ וּמִטַּ֥ל שְׁמַיָּ֖א גִּשְׁמֵ֣הּ
NAS: was drenched with the dew of heaven
KJV: was wet with the dew of heaven;
INT: cattle was given the dew of heaven and his body

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2920
5 Occurrences

ū·miṭ·ṭal — 3 Occ.
ū·ḇə·ṭal — 2 Occ.