Lexical Summary qobel: In front of, opposite, corresponding to Original Word: קְבֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance according to, as, because, before, for this cause, forasmuch as (Aramaic) or qobel (Aramaic) {kob-ale'}; (corresponding to qabal; (adverbially) in front of; usually (with other particles) on account of, so as, since, hence -- + according to, + as, + because, before, + for this cause, + forasmuch as, + by this means, over against, by reason of, + that, + therefore, + though, + wherefore. see HEBREW qabal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to qebol Definition in front of, before, because of, because that NASB Translation because (1), because* (4), before (1), forasmuch* (1), front (1), inasmuch* (9), just (1), opposite (1), presence (1), reason* (2), result (1), therefore* (4), though (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קֳבֵל29 substantive front, as preposition in front of, before, because of; followed by דִּי as conjunction because that (perhaps in form a diminutive, BevDaniel 2:8; ᵑ7 קְבֵיל, with לְ, לִקְבֵיל, suffix לְקִבֵלִי, etc., in front of (Dalm§ 47, 7); Syriac 1 with לְ a. Daniel 3:3 צַלְמָא ׳לק before the image, Daniel 2:31; Daniel 5:1,5; in view of, by reason of, Daniel 5:10 מַלְכָּא ׳מִלֵּ ׳לק by reason of the words, etc., Ezra 4:16 לָקֳבֵל דְּנָה (compare Egyptian Aramaic לקבל זנה זי, RES361B5). b. followed by דִּי as conjunction because that Ezra 6:13 (so Palmyrene CISii. 164). 2 with כֹּל, כָּלקֳֿבֵל in view of, because of (but read probably כְּלָקֳבֵל according to the front of, i.e. having regard to, because of : LuzzChald. Gr. § 123 LambertRÉJ, 1895, 47 f. Marti§ 95 d NöLCB, 1896, 703 NesOLZ, 1902, 487 Str56 and others; compare Biblical Hebrew I. עֻמָּה d): a. as preposition כָּלקֳֿבֵל דְּנָה because of this, therefore, Daniel 2:12,24; Daniel 3:7,8; Daniel 6:10; Ezra 7:17; Daniel 3:22 pointing forwards, ׳כָּלקֳֿבֵל דִּנָה דִּנָה מִןדִּֿי וג on this account, (namely) because that, etc. b. followed by דִּי as conjunction because that, inasmuch as, Daniel 2:8 כָּלקֳֿבֵל (כְּלָקֳבֵל) דִּי חֲזֵיתוּן because ye see, Daniel 2:10; Daniel 2:41; Daniel 2:45 +, Ezra 4:14; Ezra 7:14; Daniel 5:22 = although. In Daniel 2:40; Daniel 6:11 taken by ᵐ5 (ὂν τρόπον, καθώς), Ges (Thes, not Lex), Ew Hi as = according as (as Ecclesiastes 5:15 ᵑ7 כל קבל דאתא according as he came), but not Bev Behrm Marti. [Occasionally in ᵑ7, usually = before; compare in ᵑ7J Genesis 28:17; Genesis 31:32, D§§ 47.7; 50]. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope קְבֵל (qebel) is an Aramaic preposition meaning “in front of, before, opposite, because of, in place of.” While its exact nuance is shaped by context, the core idea is that two parties, events, or objects stand face-to-face or are set in relation to one another. The term therefore carries spatial, temporal, and causal force and can mark confrontation, comparison, or explanation. Historical-Linguistic Context The occurrences of קְבֵל fall exclusively within the imperial Aramaic sections of Ezra (chapters 4–7) and Daniel (chapters 2–7). These chapters were composed during and soon after the Babylonian and Persian administrations, when Aramaic functioned as the lingua franca of government correspondence. Thus the word illuminates the daily speech of God’s people while under foreign rule, demonstrating how divine revelation intersected the political and cultural environment of the exile and early restoration periods. Canonical Distribution Approximately twenty-nine uses appear: Ezra uses the word mainly in royal decrees and administrative exchanges; Daniel features it in palace dialogues, courtroom scenes, and visionary explanations. Typical Functions 1. Spatial/Relational – setting one entity directly “before” another (Daniel 7:10, “A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him”). Selected Illustrative Texts “But because our fathers provoked the God of heaven, He handed them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and deported the people to Babylon.” Here קְבֵל connects Israel’s sin with its consequence, underlining covenant accountability. “The astrologers answered the king, ‘There is not a man on earth who can accomplish what the king demands, for no king, however great or powerful, has ever asked anything like this of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer. What the king asks is so difficult that no one can reveal it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortal men.’” Twice qebel (“for/because”) emphasizes human inability and paves the way for divine revelation through Daniel. “A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him. Thousands upon thousands served Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.” The double use of קְבֵל frames the heavenly court: all creatures stand “before” the Ancient of Days, awaiting His verdict. Theological Themes 1. Divine Presence and Majesty Standing “before” God (Daniel 7:10) portrays His unmatched sovereignty. In exile, Israel learned that true authority resides not in earthly kings but in the Lord whose throne confronts every empire. 2. Accountability and Judgment Whether the Jews face Persian officials (Ezra) or Daniel’s detractors face the lions (Daniel 6), קְבֵל signals the moment of reckoning. Actions done “because of” earlier choices (Ezra 5:12) show that God’s moral order is consistent across history. 3. Revelation and Wisdom Human sages confess their limits “because” the matter is too hard (Daniel 2:10–11). Their admission highlights God’s grace in granting Daniel insight, reinforcing that wisdom is a gift bestowed in response to faithfulness. 4. Faithful Witness under Gentile Rule Repeated confrontations “before the king” (Daniel 2:15; 3:8; 6:13) reveal how covenant believers testify to truth in secular courts. קְבֵל thus frames episodes where fidelity to God collides with imperial demands, illustrating that divine purposes advance even through foreign administrations. Ministerial Application • Worship Orientation The imagery of standing “before” God invites congregations to cultivate a conscious sense of His nearness (Hebrews 4:16). As Daniel stood before Nebuchadnezzar yet ultimately before the Lord, believers gather knowing they serve One greater than earthly rulers. • Preaching and Teaching The causal nuance of קְבֵל models biblical logic: explain present realities by tracing them to divine causes. In sermons, highlight how sin leads to exile (Ezra 5:12) and how grace provides deliverance (Daniel 6:22). • Discipleship and Accountability Daniel’s integrity “before” kings (Daniel 6:21) encourages transparent living “before God and Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 4:1). Small groups can adopt this face-to-face accountability, mirroring the relational aspect inherent in קְבֵל. • Mission and Cultural Engagement Just as exiles spoke truth in Aramaic—the language of their captors—so modern believers articulate the gospel in contemporary idioms. The word’s function within imperial correspondence challenges the church to communicate faithfully within today’s societal structures. Conclusion קְבֵל, though a small Aramaic preposition, richly conveys presence, cause, and confrontation. Its usage in Ezra and Daniel testifies that God’s people, whether rebuilding a temple or navigating a pagan court, live every moment “before” the Lord whose purposes overarch all human affairs. Forms and Transliterations וְלָקֳבֵ֥ל ולקבל לְקָבְלָ֑ךְ לָקֳבֵ֗ל לָקֳבֵ֣ל לָקֳבֵ֨ל לקבל לקבלך קֳבֵ֕ל קֳבֵ֖ל קֳבֵ֗ל קֳבֵ֡ל קֳבֵ֣ל קֳבֵ֤ל קֳבֵל֙ קבל koVel lā·qo·ḇêl lāqoḇêl lə·qā·ḇə·lāḵ lekaveLach ləqāḇəlāḵ lokoVel qo·ḇêl qoḇêl velokoVel wə·lā·qo·ḇêl wəlāqoḇêlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:14 HEB: כְּעַ֗ן כָּל־ קֳבֵל֙ דִּֽי־ מְלַ֤ח INT: Now all according to have maintenance Ezra 4:16 Ezra 6:13 Ezra 7:14 Ezra 7:17 Daniel 2:8 Daniel 2:10 Daniel 2:12 Daniel 2:24 Daniel 2:31 Daniel 2:40 Daniel 2:41 Daniel 2:45 Daniel 3:3 Daniel 3:7 Daniel 3:8 Daniel 3:22 Daniel 3:29 Daniel 4:18 Daniel 5:1 Daniel 5:5 Daniel 5:10 Daniel 5:12 Daniel 5:22 Daniel 6:3 29 Occurrences |
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aspect, 
in front, 
, suffix 
in front (of), opposite (to), compare