Lexical Summary tephar: Claw, nail Original Word: טְפַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance nail (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to tsaphar, and meaning the same as tsipporen; a finger-nail; also a hoof or claw -- nail. see HEBREW tsaphar see HEBREW tsipporen NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to tsaphar Definition a nail, claw NASB Translation claws (1), nails (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [טְפַר] noun masculine nail, claw (ᵑ7 טוּפְרָא, Syriac  ; see Biblical Hebrew צִמֹּ֫רֶן, √ IV. צפר); — plural suffix of man טִפְר֫וֺהִי Daniel 4:30; of beast, טפריה (K§ 53, 2. b)) Daniel 7:19, Qr טִפְרַהּ. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery טְפַר pictures the hardened, curved extremity of a creature’s limb—the claw or talon. In Scripture it functions as a vivid metaphor for an untamed, bestial nature that stands in stark contrast to the dignity with which humanity was originally crowned (Psalm 8:5). By employing an animal image normally hidden from human sight except in the wild, the text underscores the distance that sin and rebellion place between mankind and its Creator. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Daniel 4:33 describes Nebuchadnezzar after the divine judgment: “his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird”. Historical and Cultural Context In Ancient Near Eastern literature, kings boasted of their might through animal symbolism, often likening themselves to lions or eagles. Daniel, however, reverses the trope. Nebuchadnezzar, the greatest monarch of his era, is reduced to animal status, eating grass and growing talons. To Babylonian ears this was a stunning humiliation, demonstrating that the Most High God alone “removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21). The metallic imagery of the fourth beast’s “bronze claws” in Daniel 7:19 aligns with the composite statue in Daniel 2, where progressive metals depict successive empires. The claws signal rapacity and destructive power; bronze, tougher than iron teeth for ripping prey, suggests a ferocity beyond previous kingdoms. Theological and Prophetic Significance 1. Human Pride Humbled: Nebuchadnezzar’s talons dramatize the truth that pride dehumanizes. Created in God’s image, he forfeits royal honor when he exalts himself, echoing Proverbs 16:18. The restoration of his reason and kingdom after repentance (Daniel 4:34–36) affirms God’s readiness to lift the humble. Practical and Ministry Implications • Humility before Sovereignty: Leaders in church, family, or civil spheres must heed Nebuchadnezzar’s lesson. Cultivated humility prevents the slide into dehumanizing arrogance. Forms and Transliterations וְטִפְר֥וֹהִי וְטִפְרַ֣יהּ וטפרוהי וטפריה vetifRaih vetifRohi wə·ṭip̄·rayh wə·ṭip̄·rō·w·hî wəṭip̄rayh wəṭip̄rōwhîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 4:33 HEB: כְּנִשְׁרִ֥ין רְבָ֖ה וְטִפְר֥וֹהִי כְצִפְּרִֽין׃ NAS: like eagles' [feathers] and his nails like birds' KJV: like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' INT: eagles' had grown and his nails birds' Daniel 7:19 2 Occurrences |
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