Lexical Summary shephal: lowliest Original Word: שְׁפַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance basest (Aramaic) from shphal; low -- basest. see HEBREW shphal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from shephel Definition low (in station) NASB Translation lowliest (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׁפַל adjective low in station; — construct ׳שׁ Daniel 4:14. Topical Lexicon Literary Settingשְׁפַל appears once, in Daniel 4:17, where the heavenly “watchers” decree that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes, and sets over it the lowliest of men”. The term describes an individual or class viewed as socially insignificant, yet sovereignly elevated by God. In the narrative Nebuchadnezzar is warned that the God who installed him can just as easily enthrone one society calls “low.” Biblical Theology of Lowliness 1. Divine Sovereignty over Status Daniel 4 places earthly rank beneath divine prerogative. The same theme resounds elsewhere: “Promotion comes neither from the east nor from the west… but God is Judge; He brings one down, He exalts another” (Psalm 75:6-7). שְׁפַל therefore anchors the lesson that every authority is derivative and accountable. 2. Humility as the Path to Exaltation Reversal motifs run through Scripture. Hannah sings, “He raises the poor from the dust… to seat them with princes” (1 Samuel 2:8). Mary echoes, “He has brought down rulers… but has lifted up the humble” (Luke 1:52). Daniel 4:17 supplies Old-Testament grounding for this gospel pattern. 3. Judgment on Pride Nebuchadnezzar’s eventual humiliation (Daniel 4:31-33) embodies Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction.” שְׁפַל warns leaders that arrogance invites divine opposition, while repentance restores honor. Historical and Cultural Background Babylonian monarchs styled themselves “kings of kings.” By calling attention to the “lowliest of men,” the inspired text deliberately contrasts the swagger of imperial propaganda with the reality that Yahweh alone installs and removes rulers. The Aramaic chapters of Daniel (2–7) were likely circulated among exiles and foreign officials, reminding both Jewish and Gentile readers that true kingship transcends empire. Intertextual Connections • Job 5:11 “He sets the lowly on high.” These passages, while using different Hebrew or Greek terms, mirror the semantic field of שְׁפַל and widen its theological scope. Christological Fulfillment Jesus embodies ultimate שְׁפַל. Born in a manger, riding a colt, washing disciples’ feet, He fulfills Isaiah’s Servant ideal: “He grew up before Him like a tender shoot… He had no beauty or majesty” (Isaiah 53:2). Yet the Father “highly exalted Him” (Philippians 2:9). Daniel’s principle of lowliness preceding exaltation culminates at the cross and resurrection. Practical Ministry Applications • Leadership: Pastors and elders guard against positional pride, remembering that authority is stewardship (1 Peter 5:2-3). Devotional Reflection Meditating on שְׁפַל reorients the heart from self-assertion to surrender. The Almighty still “sets over it the lowliest of men.” Therefore, “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). Forms and Transliterations וּשְׁפַ֥ל ושפל ū·šə·p̄al ūšəp̄al usheFalLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 4:17 HEB: יִצְבֵּא֙ יִתְּנִנַּ֔הּ וּשְׁפַ֥ל אֲנָשִׁ֖ים יְקִ֥ים NAS: And sets over it the lowliest of men. KJV: over it the basest of men. INT: wishes and bestows the lowliest of mankind and sets 1 Occurrence |
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