Lexical Summary alal: To act severely, deal with severely, abuse, mock, make a fool of, act wantonly Original Word: עָלל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bring in, come in, go in (Aramaic) corresponding to alal (in the sense of thrusting oneself in), to enter; causatively, to introduce -- bring in, come in, go in. see HEBREW alal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to alal Definition to go or come in NASB Translation bring (2), brought (4), came (3), entered (2), take (1), went (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עֲלַל] verb go or come in (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew III. עלל); — Pe`al Perfect3masculine singular עַל Daniel 2:16; with עַל person Daniel 2:24; with לְבַיְהֵתּ Daniel 6:11, Songs 3 feminine singular עללת Kt, עַלַּת Qr Daniel 5:10; Participle עללין Kt, עָלִּין Qr, absolute Daniel 4:4; Daniel 5:8. Haph`el bring in, with קֳדָם person: Perfect3masculine singular הַנְעֵל (K§ 11, 4. b); si Eg, Aramaic, S-CG 6, 7, 24, 27 הנעלת; compare D§ 71. 7; Dial.-Proben, p. 4); Daniel 2:25 (ל accusative of person), Daniel 6:19 (accusative of thing); Imperative masculine singular suffix person, הַעֵלְנִי Daniel 2:24; Infinitive לְנְעָלָה Daniel 4:3 (ל accusative of person); no קֳדָם person, לְהֶעָלָה Daniel 5:7 (id.). Hoph`al (WCG 225) be brought, subject person +קֳדָם person: Perfect3masculine singular הֻעַל Daniel 5:13, 3masculine plural הֻעַ֫לּוּ Daniel 5:15. Topical Lexicon Summary of Usage in Daniel The verb עָלל appears fourteen times, all in the Aramaic‐language sections of Daniel (Daniel 2:16, 2:24 × 2, 2:25; 4:6, 4:7, 4:8; 5:7, 5:8, 5:10, 5:13, 5:15; 6:10, 6:18). In every case it describes a physical or official “going in” to a place of authority—usually the throne room of Babylonian or Persian kings, occasionally a private chamber. The consistent setting is the royal court, making the verb a narrative marker that highlights moments when truth confronts earthly power. Historical Background Entering the presence of an ancient Near Eastern monarch was no casual act. Babylonian and Persian protocol demanded permission, proper attire, and often an intermediary (Esther 4:11). When Scripture repeatedly notes that Daniel, his companions, or other court figures “went in,” it is signaling high-stakes encounters where life, death, and empire hang on the next words spoken. The verb sketches the very real corridors that connected conquered exiles with rulers who imagined themselves divine. Patterns of Access to Earthly and Heavenly Thrones 1. Royal Petition (Daniel 2:16, 2:24-25): Daniel approaches Nebuchadnezzar through Arioch, requesting time and then presenting God’s revelation. Across these scenes, earthly doors open and close under divine sovereignty. The One who “changes times and seasons, He removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21) ultimately controls every entrance. Daniel’s Courageous Approach Daniel’s first recorded use of the verb sets the tone: “So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time” (Daniel 2:16). The young exile risks execution to secure a hearing, confident that “the God of heaven” will reveal “deep and hidden things” (Daniel 2:19-22). His later entrances carry the same spiritual assurance, whether before Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, or Darius. Daniel models the believer who respects human authority yet recognizes a higher throne. Prayerful Entrance before God Daniel 6:10 shifts the scene from palace to private room: “When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house… three times a day he knelt down, prayed, and gave thanks.” The verb moves from court etiquette to covenant intimacy. The pattern anticipates Hebrews 4:16—“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence”—demonstrating that fearless access to God sustains fearless witness before men. Contrast with Pagan Courtiers The Babylonian magicians repeatedly “entered” but failed (Daniel 4:6-8; 5:7-8). Court access without divine insight proves empty. By contrast, Daniel’s entrées are effective because they are preceded by prayer and anchored in revelation. The text subtly critiques any spirituality or scholarship unmoored from the living God. Messianic and New Covenant Implications The narrative arc of entry culminates in Jesus Christ, who “has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand” (1 Peter 3:22). Daniel’s courageous access foreshadows the true Son of Man, who not only approaches the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13-14) but grants believers perpetual audience. Early Christians would read Daniel’s courtroom scenes as precursors to their own mission before governors and kings (Matthew 10:18; Acts 25:23-26:32). Practical Ministry Applications • Intercession: Like Daniel, Christian leaders must seek God privately before they speak publicly. Conclusion עָלל in Daniel is more than a motion verb; it is a theological motif of access—first to fragile earthly thrones, then to the unshakable heavenly throne. Every occurrence invites the reader to consider how and why we enter places of influence, and whether our entrances are animated by the same faith, courage, and reliance on revelation that marked God’s servant Daniel. Forms and Transliterations הַנְעֵ֣ל הַנְעֵ֥ל הַעֵ֙לְנִי֙ הֻעַ֖ל הֻעַ֣לּוּ הנעל העל העלו העלני לְהֶֽעָלָה֙ לְהַנְעָלָ֣ה להנעלה להעלה עַ֖ל עַ֣ל עַל֩ עַלַּ֑ת עָלִּ֗ין עָֽלִּ֔ין על עלין עלת ‘al ‘al·laṯ ‘āl·lîn ‘allaṯ ‘āllîn al alLat alLin ha‘êlənî ha·‘ê·lə·nî haEleni han‘êl han·‘êl hanEl hu‘al hu‘allū hu·‘al hu·‘al·lū huAl huAllu lə·han·‘ā·lāh lə·he·‘ā·lāh ləhan‘ālāh lehanaLah ləhe‘ālāh leheaLahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:16 HEB: וְדָ֣נִיֵּ֔אל עַ֖ל וּבְעָ֣ה מִן־ NAS: So Daniel went in and requested KJV: Then Daniel went in, and desired of INT: Daniel went and requested of Daniel 2:24 Daniel 2:24 Daniel 2:25 Daniel 4:6 Daniel 4:7 Daniel 4:8 Daniel 5:7 Daniel 5:8 Daniel 5:10 Daniel 5:13 Daniel 5:15 Daniel 6:10 Daniel 6:18 14 Occurrences |
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