Lexical Summary amar: To say, speak, utter Original Word: עֲמַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wool (Aramaic) corresponding to tsemer; wool -- wool. see HEBREW tsemer NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation Definition wool NASB Translation wool (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲמַר noun masculine wool (ᵑ7 Syriac; Egyptian Aramaic עמר S-CG7, 10, קמר Id.H 5; compare Mandean אקאמרא, NöM 72; see Biblical Hebrew צמר); — absolute Daniel 7:9. Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrence Daniel 7:9 is the sole Old Testament passage employing עֲמַר. The prophet testifies, “His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of His head was like pure wool”. The word appears within the vision of heavenly court-room glory, describing the radiant head of the “Ancient of Days.” Prophetic Context in Daniel 7 Daniel’s night visions (Daniel 7:1-14) unveil successive earthly empires overrun by the transcendent dominion of God. Thrones are set, judicial proceedings begin, and the everlasting kingdom is conferred on “One like a Son of Man.” The single mention of עֲמַר anchors the scene in vivid sensory language: pure, brilliant whiteness accentuates God’s moral perfection and sovereign authority. Symbolic Themes • Purity and Holiness – White imagery throughout Scripture signifies freedom from defilement (Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 51:7). The depiction of hair “like pure wool” portrays the Judge whose character is flawlessly righteous. Intercanonical Echoes Revelation 1:14 applies identical imagery to the glorified Christ: “The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow.” John’s vision intentionally recalls Daniel 7, identifying Jesus Christ with the Ancient of Days, sharing the same eternal attributes. The New Testament use strengthens the unity of Scripture and underlines the deity of the Son. Historical and Cultural Background In the Ancient Near East, white garments and wool symbolized dignity, festivity, and ritual cleanness. Priests ministered in white linen; royalty donned costly white attire on state occasions. By attributing wool-like whiteness to God’s hair, Daniel elevates the vision above royal courts of Babylon or Persia, contrasting transient human monarchies with the everlasting throne. Doctrinal and Christological Significance 1. Divine Eternity – The whiteness of the Ancient of Days’ hair proclaims an existence preceding all ages (Psalm 90:2). Pastoral and Devotional Implications • Assurance in Judgment – Believers draw comfort knowing the final Judge is perfectly pure; His verdicts cannot be marred by corruption or error. Suggested Homiletical Themes 1. “White as Wool: The Moral Purity of God in a Corrupt World.” See Also Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 51:7; Revelation 1:13-16; Hebrews 1:8-12; 1 Peter 1:15-16 Forms and Transliterations כַּעֲמַ֣ר כעמר ka‘ămar ka·‘ă·mar kaaMarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 7:9 HEB: וּשְׂעַ֤ר רֵאשֵׁהּ֙ כַּעֲמַ֣ר נְקֵ֔א כָּרְסְיֵהּ֙ NAS: like pure wool. His throne KJV: like the pure wool: his throne INT: and the hair of his head wool pure his throne 1 Occurrence |
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