Lexical Summary telag: Snow Original Word: תְּלַג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance snow (Aramaic) corresponding to sheleg; snow -- snow. see HEBREW sheleg NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to sheleg Definition snow NASB Translation snow (1). Topical Lexicon Meaning and ImageryThe single biblical use of תְּלַג captures the crystalline whiteness of fresh snow. In Daniel 7:9 the radiant garment of the “Ancient of Days” is said to be “as white as snow,” underscoring absolute purity, unapproachable holiness, and incorruptible righteousness. Snow, glistening and untouched, becomes an apt visual for the moral perfection of God. Biblical Context: Daniel’s Vision of the Ancient of Days Daniel 7 records a nighttime vision granted to the prophet during the exile. After four beast-kingdoms rise from the sea, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was as white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool” (Daniel 7:9). The word תְּלַג anchors the scene in sensory certainty: God’s integrity is no mere concept but a blazing reality that dwarfs the violent kingdoms of men. Theological Themes 1. Divine Purity. The snow-white garment signals moral perfection, recalling other “whiter than snow” passages (Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18) that speak of cleansing from sin. Historical and Cultural Background Daniel wrote in Aramaic within the Babylonian court, a milieu steeped in imperial splendor. By describing God’s attire with the humble yet dazzling image of snow, the vision contrasts divine majesty with earthly pomp. Ancient Near Eastern rulers boasted of embroidered, jewel-studded robes; Daniel’s God needs only His own inherent purity to signal supremacy. Intertextual Echoes • Psalm 51:7 – David pleads, “Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow,” tying forgiveness to snow’s brilliance. Ministry and Devotional Application • Assurance of Holiness. Believers can approach God with reverence, knowing His holiness is uncompromised and eternally consistent. Practical Reflection When freshly fallen snow silences the world and reflects radiant light, it preaches Daniel’s message: God’s purity is unbeaten, His throne secure, and His verdicts untainted. That reality steadies faith in turbulent times and summons the church to live “blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15). Forms and Transliterations כִּתְלַ֣ג כתלג kiṯ·laḡ kitLag kiṯlaḡLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 7:9 HEB: יְתִ֑ב לְבוּשֵׁ֣הּ ׀ כִּתְלַ֣ג חִוָּ֗ר וּשְׂעַ֤ר NAS: [was] like white snow And the hair KJV: [was] white as snow, and the hair INT: took his vesture snow white and the hair 1 Occurrence |
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