Lexical Summary tedira: Continuance, Regularity Original Word: תְּדִירָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pine tree (Aramaic) from duwr in the original sense of enduring; permanence, i.e. (adverb) constantly -- continually. see HEBREW duwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from dur Definition continuance NASB Translation constantly (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs תְּדִירָא noun feminine continuance (ᵑ7 id.; see Biblical Hebrew דּוּר); — absolute in phrase ׳בִּת continually Daniel 6:17; Daniel 6:21. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Concept תְּדִירָא conveys the idea of constancy—an action or state that is habitual, uninterrupted, and faithfully sustained. In Scripture it highlights a life pattern rather than a momentary act, stressing an unbroken allegiance to God in worship and obedience. Biblical Occurrences Narrative Context in Daniel Both appearances occur in the account of the lions’ den. King Darius twice describes Daniel as one who “serve[s] continually” (Daniel 6:16, Berean Standard Bible). The word draws attention to Daniel’s daily rhythm of prayer (Daniel 6:10) that neither threats nor political intrigue could interrupt. His constancy becomes the decisive evidence that moves a pagan monarch to acknowledge the sovereignty of the living God (Daniel 6:26–27). Theological Themes 1. Persevering Faithfulness: תְּדִירָא frames faith not as a crisis response but as a lifelong posture (cf. Psalm 34:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Historical Background Set in the Medo-Persian period, the Aramaic narrative underscores how Jewish exiles maintained covenant identity amid imperial decree. The term’s Aramaic form suggests it was part of the common administrative vocabulary, yet Daniel redeploys it to describe covenant devotion, subtly subverting imperial claims to ultimate loyalty. Intertextual Connections • Continual Burnt Offering (“tamid”) — Exodus 29:38–42; Numbers 28:3–8. The daily sacrifices foreshadow the heartbeat of uninterrupted worship captured by תְּדִירָא. Practical Ministry Applications • Prayer Discipline: Regular, scheduled prayer times protect believers from crisis-only spirituality. Christological and Eschatological Implications Daniel’s deliverance prefigures resurrection motifs: the sealed den, the expectation of death, and the miraculous emergence alive. Christ, the true and greater Daniel, serves the Father continually and emerges from the sealed tomb, securing eternal salvation. Eschatologically, the saints’ perseverance mirrors Daniel’s constancy, anticipating ultimate vindication when the “books are opened” (Daniel 7:10; Revelation 20:12). Summary תְּדִירָא crystallizes the biblical call to unwavering, habitual devotion to God. In Daniel it magnifies the power of steady faith to influence rulers, withstand persecution, and invite miraculous deliverance. Today it summons believers to cultivate rhythms of worship that testify to the God who is Himself steadfast and unchanging. Forms and Transliterations בִּתְדִירָ֔א בתדירא biṯ·ḏî·rā bitdiRa biṯḏîrāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 6:16 HEB: פָּֽלַֽח־ לֵהּ֙ בִּתְדִירָ֔א ה֖וּא יְשֵׁיזְבִנָּֽךְ׃ NAS: whom you constantly serve KJV: servest continually, he will deliver INT: as for thee serve constantly will Himself deliver Daniel 6:20 2 Occurrences |
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