Lexical Summary antun: you (plural) Original Word: אַנְתּוּן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ye, you(Aramaic) plural of 'antah; ye -- ye. see HEBREW 'antah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to attem Definition you (pl.). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַנְתּוּן pronoun 2 masculine plural ye, you (Biblical Hebrew אַתֶּם), Daniel 2:8. Topical Lexicon Grammatical and Literary FunctionThe form appears once, in Daniel 2:8, as the plural personal pronoun of direct address. In the Aramaic sections of Daniel (2:4b–7:28) this pronoun regularly marks conversation within the Babylonian court, distinguishing the plural “you” (Nebuchadnezzar’s counselors) from the singular majesty of the king. By employing the plural form, Scripture accentuates both the collective responsibility of the wise men and the united failure of human wisdom when it stands apart from divine revelation. Immediate Context in Daniel Nebuchadnezzar demands that his magicians recount his dream before giving its interpretation (Daniel 2:2–9). When they request the dream itself, the king answers: “I know for sure that you are stalling for time, because you see that my command is firm” (Daniel 2:8). The pronoun frames an accusation: the counselors are exposed as evasive frauds. The single occurrence of אַנְתּוּן thus becomes a pivot; it heightens tension, clears the stage for Daniel, and underscores that God alone “reveals the deep and hidden things” (Daniel 2:22). Historical Setting: Royal Authority versus Court Wisdom Babylonian monarchs invested heavily in a scholarly caste skilled in incantations, astrology, and dream lore. The plural “you” reminds the reader that this guild functioned corporately; their prestige and livelihood depended on collective conformity. Nebuchadnezzar’s distrust, expressed through the direct plural address, shows how precarious human wisdom becomes when faced with an absolute royal edict backed by death (Daniel 2:13). The historical incident explains why Daniel’s subsequent success is not merely personal triumph but the public vindication of the God of Israel within a Gentile empire. Theological Emphasis 1. Corporate Accountability The plural pronoun emphasizes that God evaluates groups as well as individuals. Just as Israel was often addressed corporately (Exodus 19:4), so pagan societies are not exempt from collective judgment. 2. Revelation Superseding Rationalism The contrast between “you” (the wise men) and “the God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:28) sets a biblical pattern: human insight, however sophisticated, cannot penetrate divine secrets apart from God’s disclosure. 3. Providence in Exile The Aramaic narrative, addressed to the broader Gentile world, demonstrates that the covenant God speaks within the languages of the nations. The single pronoun becomes a micro-sign of God’s universal sovereignty—He hears and overrules conversations in foreign courts. Christological and Eschatological Trajectory Daniel’s ministry foreshadows Jesus Christ, who likewise exposes empty religious expertise (Matthew 23:27) while unveiling divine mysteries (Matthew 13:11). The rebuke implied in “you” anticipates the eschatological scene where “the wisdom of the wise will perish” (Isaiah 29:14, cited in 1 Corinthians 1:19). Ultimately, every worldly power that trusts in collective wisdom apart from God will face the rock “cut without hands” that fills the whole earth (Daniel 2:34–35). Application for Preaching and Discipleship • Warn against collective self-confidence in human systems—academic, political, or ecclesiastical—when they replace dependency on God’s revelation. Summary The solitary appearance of אַנְתּוּן is not a lexical footnote but a strategic literary device that crystallizes the confrontation between human pretense and divine omniscience. It summons readers to abandon delay tactics, seek the Lord who reveals mysteries, and trust the One whose kingdom will never be destroyed. Forms and Transliterations אַנְתּ֣וּן אנתון ’an·tūn ’antūn anTunLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:8 HEB: דִּ֥י עִדָּנָ֖א אַנְתּ֣וּן זָבְנִ֑ין כָּל־ KJV: certainty that ye would gain INT: for time ye you are bargaining all |
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