Lexical Summary shepharpar: Shepharpar Original Word: שְׁפַרְפַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance very early in the morning (Aramaic) from shaphar; the dawn (as brilliant with aurora) -- X very early in the morning. see HEBREW shaphar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to shaphar Definition dawn NASB Translation dawn (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שְׁפַרְמָּר] noun [masculine] dawn (ᵑ7 id,; redupl. (K§ 59, 3) from above √ ?); — emphatic שְׁפַרְמָּרָא Daniel 6:20. שָׁק see שׁוק. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Symbolism of Dawn The term denotes the fragile moment when night yields to day—the first glimmer that pushes back darkness. In Scripture, dawn often stands for divine intervention, renewed mercies, and the certainty that God’s purposes advance even when hidden through the night (Psalms 30:5; Lamentations 3:22-23). Biblical Occurrence Daniel 6:19 provides the sole canonical use: “At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den”. The sudden transition from bleak anticipation to expectant hope mirrors the word’s semantic force. Historical Setting The scene unfolds under Medo-Persian rule shortly after the exile. Royal edicts were irrevocable (Daniel 6:8, 15), leaving Daniel seemingly trapped by human law. Dawn’s arrival marks both the literal end of a sleepless night for the monarch and the figurative breaking of a spiritual impasse engineered by court intrigue. Narrative Significance 1. Urgency: The king’s early rise underscores intense concern for Daniel’s fate. Theological Themes • Divine Sovereignty: Night may belong to anxious kings, but dawn belongs to God (Psalms 46:5). Christological Foreshadowing The break of day anticipates the ultimate dawn—resurrection morning. As Daniel emerges alive from a sealed pit, he prefigures Jesus Christ rising from a sealed tomb (Matthew 28:1-6). Both events convert royal seals of death into testimonies of life. Comparative Scriptural Imagery • Exodus 14:24 – The LORD looks down at dawn to overthrow Egypt’s army. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Intercessory Vigilance: Like the king, leaders today rise early to seek evidence of God’s work in those they shepherd. Homiletical Outline I. A Sleepless Kingdom (Daniel 6:18) II. The First Light of Hope (6:19) III. The Voice of Assurance (6:20-22) IV. The Dawn of Deliverance (6:23-24) V. The Decree that Glorifies God (6:25-27) Devotional Reflection Night seasons may linger, but they cannot nullify God’s purposes. Every believer can look for the divine dawn—moments when light breaks in, revealing the Lord’s unbroken watch and restoring courage for the day that follows. Forms and Transliterations בִּשְׁפַּרְפָּרָ֖א בשפרפרא biš·par·pā·rā bishparpaRa bišparpārāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 6:19 HEB: בֵּאדַ֣יִן מַלְכָּ֔א בִּשְׁפַּרְפָּרָ֖א יְק֣וּם בְּנָגְהָ֑א NAS: arose at dawn, at the break of day, KJV: arose very early in the morning, INT: Then the king dawn arose the break 1 Occurrence |
    |