Lexical Summary yekel or yekil: To be able, to have power, to prevail Original Word: יְכֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be able, can, could, prevail (Aramaic) or ykiyl (Aramaic) {yek-eel'}; to yakol -- be able, can, couldest, prevail. see HEBREW yakol NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to yakol Definition to be able NASB Translation able (7), been able (2), could (2), overpowering (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְכִל (K§ 25, a) β)) verb be able (Daniel) (ᵑ7; Nabataean (rare) SAC60; Egyptian Aramaic S-CE 8, 11+; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic Schulth83; Biblical Hebrew יָכֹל); — Pe`al 1. with Infinitive be able to do:Perfect3masculine singular יְכִל Daniel 6:21 (subject God), 2 masculine singular יְכֵ֫לְתָּ Daniel 2:47; Imperfect3masculine singular יוּכַל (Hebraism, K§ 43, 1. Beisp. b)) Daniel 2:10, יִכֻּל Daniel 3:29 (subject a god), 2 masculine singular תוכל Daniel 5:16 (twice in verse) (<both Qr תִּכּוּל, Kl.c.); Participle יָכִל Daniel 3:17; Daniel 4:34 (both subject God); plural יָָֽכְּ לִין Daniel 2:27; Daniel 4:15; Daniel 6:5. 2 prevail (Biblical Hebrew 2) against (ל), Participle feminine singular יָָֽכְלָה Daniel 7:21. Topical Lexicon Word Overview Twelve times in the Aramaic chapters of Daniel this verb expresses capacity, power, or prevailing. The contexts range from pagan courts to prophetic visions and consistently contrast human limitation with divine omnipotence. Occurrences in Daniel Daniel 2:10 – The astrologers admit, “There is no man on earth who can accomplish what the king demands.” Daniel 2:27 – Daniel adds that no earthly expert “can explain to the king the mystery.” Daniel 2:47 – Nebuchadnezzar: “Since you were able to reveal this mystery.” Daniel 3:17 – “The God we serve is able to deliver us from it.” Daniel 3:29 – “There is no other god who can deliver in this way.” Daniel 4:18 – Wise men “cannot interpret it,” but Daniel can. Daniel 4:37 – God “is able to humble those who walk in pride.” Daniel 5:16 (twice) – Belshazzar: “I have heard that you can give interpretations.” Daniel 6:4 – Officials “could find no ground for accusation.” Daniel 6:20 – Darius: “Has your God…been able to deliver you from the lions?” Daniel 7:21 – The horn “was prevailing against” the saints. Divine Ability and Sovereignty Whether revealing mysteries, rescuing from fiery furnace and lions, or humbling kings, the Lord alone possesses true ability. The Aramaic verb is repeatedly tethered to God’s acts, marking Him as the decisive actor in history. Human Inability Babylonian sages, Persian officials, and arrogant kings repeatedly confess their inability. Their impotence magnifies the wisdom and power that belong solely to God and anticipates the New Testament truth that “apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Believer’s Confidence Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego offer a model for faith-filled obedience: “the God we serve is able” (Daniel 3:17). Assurance of God’s capability—not certainty of outcome—fortifies believers to stand firm under pressure. Eschatological Victory The horn of Daniel 7 momentarily “prevails,” yet verse 22 shows the Ancient of Days granting victory to the saints. God’s ability guarantees the consummation of His kingdom despite interim opposition. Historical and Linguistic Notes Appearing only in Daniel’s Aramaic sections (chapters 2–7), the verb communicates in the lingua franca of world empire that all nations must reckon with the sovereignty of Israel’s God. Ministry Implications • Preaching: Highlight divine sufficiency amid human weakness. Conclusion Every occurrence of this verb in Daniel reinforces one lesson: God is able. His unmatched power secures His people, overrules human schemes, and assures the final triumph of His kingdom. Forms and Transliterations הַיְכִ֥ל היכל וְיָכְלָ֖ה ויכלה יְכֵ֔לְתָּ יִכֻּ֥ל יָכְלִ֖ין יָכְלִ֣ין יָכְלִ֤ין יָכִ֖ל יוּכַ֖ל יוכל יכל יכלין יכלת תִיכּ֥וּל תִּכ֨וּל תיכול תכול hay·ḵil hayChil hayḵil ti·ḵūl ṯî·kūl tiChul tiKul tiḵūl ṯîkūl veyacheLah wə·yā·ḵə·lāh wəyāḵəlāh yā·ḵə·lîn yā·ḵil yacheLin yaChil yāḵəlîn yāḵil yə·ḵê·lə·tā yeCheleta yəḵêlətā yik·kul yikkul yū·ḵal yuChal yūḵalLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:10 HEB: מִלַּ֣ת מַלְכָּ֔א יוּכַ֖ל לְהַחֲוָיָ֑ה כָּל־ NAS: on earth who could declare the matter KJV: the earth that can shew INT: the matter the king could shew of any Daniel 2:27 Daniel 2:47 Daniel 3:17 Daniel 3:29 Daniel 4:18 Daniel 4:37 Daniel 5:16 Daniel 5:16 Daniel 6:4 Daniel 6:20 Daniel 7:21 12 Occurrences |
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