Lexical Summary shechath: corruption, corrupt Original Word: שְׁחַת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance corrupt, fault (Aramaic) corresponding to shachath -- corrupt, fault. see HEBREW shachath NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to shachath Definition to corrupt NASB Translation corrupt (1), corruption (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שְׁחַת] verb corrupt (ᵑ7J (once), Syriac  ; Biblical Hebrew [שָׁחַת]); — Pe`al Passive participle feminine singular שְׁחִיתָה Daniel 2:9 corrupt word; as noun = fault Daniel 6:5 (twice in verse) (compare ᵑ7 Psalm 17:3; Ruth 4:22). Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Immediate Context The term appears three times, all within the Aramaic sections of the Book of Daniel (Daniel 2:9; Daniel 6:4 twice). In Daniel 2:9 Nebuchadnezzar accuses the court wise men of intending to “speak lying and corrupt words” to stall for time. In Daniel 6:4 the Medo-Persian officials try to uncover “ground for accusation or corruption” in Daniel; twice the narrative testifies that “no negligence or corruption was found in him”. Thus the word frames a stark contrast between human duplicity and covenant-faithful integrity. Historical Setting Daniel ministered during the Babylonian exile and into the early years of the Medo-Persian Empire. Court life was marked by political intrigue, shifting alliances, and idolatrous expectations. Against that backdrop “corruption” describes both deliberate deceit (Daniel 2) and administrative malfeasance (Daniel 6). The word therefore carries legal, moral, and relational dimensions. It captures everything that threatens the well-ordering of the kingdom and the honor of its ruler—whether earthly or divine. Theological Emphasis 1. Integrity before God surpasses human accountability. Daniel’s blamelessness under foreign scrutiny anticipates New Testament teaching that believers should be “above reproach” (Philippians 2:15). Practical Ministry Significance • Leadership: Church officers are called to be “blameless, faithful, trustworthy,” mirroring Daniel’s record (1 Timothy 3:2). Christological Trajectory Daniel’s faultless record foreshadows the absolute sinlessness of Jesus Christ. Critics found “no false testimony” that would stand against Him (Matthew 26:60), paralleling “no negligence or corruption was found in him” (Daniel 6:4). The lion’s-den deliverance prefigures the resurrection, displaying God’s power to vindicate perfect righteousness and judge corruption. Eschatological Outlook The clash between integrity and corruption points forward to the final judgment when “nothing unclean, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, shall ever enter” the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:27). Daniel’s life thus offers a lived preview of the kingdom where corruption is wholly removed, and faithfulness is eternally rewarded. Summary Strong’s 7844 delineates moral and administrative corruption in contrast to covenantal faithfulness. Through its concentrated usage in Daniel, Scripture calls God’s people to unwavering integrity, assures them of divine vindication, and directs their hope to the ultimate reign of the blameless Son of Man. Forms and Transliterations וּשְׁחִיתָ֔ה וּשְׁחִיתָ֜ה וּשְׁחִיתָה֙ ושחיתה ū·šə·ḥî·ṯāh ūšəḥîṯāh ushechiTahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:9 HEB: וּמִלָּ֨ה כִדְבָ֤ה וּשְׁחִיתָה֙ [הַזְמִנְתּוּן כ] NAS: lying and corrupt words KJV: lying and corrupt words INT: words lying and corrupt prepare to speak Daniel 6:4 Daniel 6:4 3 Occurrences |
    |