Lexical Summary nevalu or nevali: Foolishness, folly, disgrace Original Word: נְוָלוּ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dunghill (Aramaic) or nvaliy (Aramaic) {nev-aw-lee'}; from an unused root probably meaning to be foul; a sink -- dunghill. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) perhaps of foreign origin Definition a refuse heap NASB Translation refuse heap (1), rubbish heap (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְוָלוּ, נְוָלִר (K§ 61, 4. 5) noun feminine refuse-heap (ᵑ7 נְוָלִי dung-heap; perhaps loan-word from Assyrian namâlu (nawâlu), ruin, JenKB vi. 363); — נְוָלוּ Ezra 6:11, נְוָלִי Daniel 2:5; Daniel 3:29. Topical Lexicon Semantic Nuance and Literary Force נְוָלוּ evokes the picture of a ruined heap fit only for refuse—no longer a dwelling but an emblem of utter disgrace. The word appears inside formulaic royal threats: “your house shall be made a pile of rubble” (Daniel 2:5). The emphasis is not merely demolition but humiliation; the offender’s legacy is reduced to a smoldering dump that testifies to folly for generations. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Ezra 6:11 – Darius authorizes rebuilding the Second Temple and warns that any challenge to the decree will result in personal execution and the offender’s house becoming a נְוָלוּ. Historical Setting These passages arise in the Persian and Neo-Babylonian eras, when monarchs issued irrevocable edicts to protect their authority. Turning a house into a refuse heap was a well-known Mesopotamian penalty, inscribed in treaties and laws (e.g., the Hittite “CURSE: house become a mound of debris”). Scripture’s adoption of the formula shows the prophets’ familiarity with international legal language while underscoring that earthly kings, though pagan, still serve the overarching providence of the Lord. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Nations – God steers imperial decrees to preserve His covenant people (Ezra 6) and to exalt His name among Gentiles (Daniel 3). Symbolism of the Destroyed House A house represents identity, inheritance, and continuity. To level it into a נְוָלוּ is to erase memory and hope—parallel to the covenant curses that threatened Israel with exile and desolation (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Thus, in Daniel 3 the converted threat against blasphemers accentuates both the exclusivity of Israel’s God and the cost of idolatry. Ministry Applications • Integrity in Positions of Authority – Leaders must recognize that their decrees ultimately answer to God’s justice, lest they bring ruin upon what they build (Psalm 2:10-12). Canonical and Christological Reflection The motif anticipates the New Testament promise that every proud structure raised against Christ will fall (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Conversely, those who build on the Rock cannot be shaken (Matthew 7:24-27). The final contrast is between the everlasting kingdom Christ establishes and the rubble of every rival dominion. Related Biblical Imagery • “Dung heap” (KJV) parallels Paul’s “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ” (Philippians 3:8). In sum, נְוָלוּ serves as a vivid reminder that resisting God’s purposes leads to irreversible disgrace, while obedience secures an enduring legacy. Forms and Transliterations נְוָל֥וּ נְוָלִ֣י נְוָלִ֥י נולו נולי nə·wā·lî nə·wā·lū nevaLi nevaLu nəwālî nəwālūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 6:11 HEB: עֲלֹ֑הִי וּבַיְתֵ֛הּ נְוָל֥וּ יִתְעֲבֵ֖ד עַל־ NAS: shall be made a refuse heap on account KJV: be made a dunghill for INT: account and his house A refuse shall be made account Daniel 2:5 Daniel 3:29 3 Occurrences |
    |