Lexical Summary sarak: To hiss, to whistle Original Word: סָרֵךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance president (Aramaic) of foreign origin; an emir -- president. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) probably of foreign origin Definition chief, overseer NASB Translation commissioners (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סָרַךְ] noun masculine chief, overseer (ᵑ7 id. (=Biblical Hebrew שֹׁטֵר); etymology dubious; probably with BevDn DrDn AndrM 75*, loan-word from Persian s¹r (and * sarak ?), head, chief); — plural absolute סָֽרְכִין Daniel 6:3, emphatic סָֽרְכַיָּא Daniel 6:4; Daniel 6:5; Daniel 6:7, construct סָֽרְבֵי Daniel 6:8. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Function The term סָרֵךְ denotes a senior civil officer who stands between the king and the provincial satraps. In Daniel the word is rendered “administrator” or “president” (KJV), highlighting a role that combines executive oversight, fiscal accountability, and judicial authority. Occurrences in Scripture • Daniel 6:2 – “So the king appointed three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel, to whom these satraps were to give an account so that the king would not suffer loss.” These five verses establish the סָרֵךְ as a pivotal actor throughout the entire narrative arc of Daniel 6. Historical Setting Under Medo-Persian rule, the empire was divided into satrapies, each answerable to the throne. To prevent rebellion and financial corruption, a smaller cadre of high officials—the סָרְכִין—was placed over the satraps. Classical sources describe comparable positions such as the “eyes of the king,” emphasizing surveillance, taxation, and loyalty. The biblical portrayal aligns with extrabiblical records, underscoring Scripture’s historical reliability. Contrast Between Daniel and His Peers The dual emphasis in Daniel 6 on competence (“extraordinary spirit”) and blamelessness (“no charge or corruption”) presents Daniel as the ideal סָרֵךְ. His colleagues, by contrast, misuse their authority to conspire against him. This juxtaposition embodies the broader biblical theme that righteousness ultimately exposes and overcomes political intrigue. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Human Government – The rise of Daniel to the top administrative post displays the principle articulated in Daniel 2:21 that God “removes kings and establishes them.” Human bureaucracy does not hinder His purposes. Ministry Significance • Christian leaders can learn from Daniel’s balance of professional excellence and spiritual devotion; excellence invites influence, devotion preserves integrity. Practical Applications • Accountability structures—Daniel reported to Darius, and the satraps reported to Daniel—illustrate the biblical wisdom of checks and balances. Churches and ministries likewise benefit from transparent oversight. Eschatological Foreshadowing Daniel’s exemplary administration anticipates the perfect governance of the Messiah, “the Prince of Peace,” whose kingdom will know no end (Isaiah 9:6-7). Earthly סָרְכִין, whether righteous or corrupt, ultimately point forward to the One who will reign in perfect justice and righteousness. Forms and Transliterations סָֽרְכַיָּ֜א סָרְכִ֣ין סָרְכֵ֣י סָרְכַיָּ֖א סָרְכַיָּ֤א סרכי סרכיא סרכין sā·rə·ḵay·yā sā·rə·ḵê sā·rə·ḵîn sarechaiYa sareChei sareChin sārəḵayyā sārəḵê sārəḵînLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 6:2 HEB: וְעֵ֤לָּא מִנְּהוֹן֙ סָרְכִ֣ין תְּלָתָ֔א דִּ֥י NAS: them three commissioners (of whom KJV: these three presidents; of whom Daniel INT: and over these commissioners three whom Daniel 6:3 Daniel 6:4 Daniel 6:6 Daniel 6:7 5 Occurrences |
    |