Lexical Summary temah: Astonishment, wonder, amazement Original Word: תְּמַהּ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wonder (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to tamahh; a miracle -- wonder. see HEBREW tamahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to tamah Definition a wonder NASB Translation wonders (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תְּמַהּ] noun masculine wonder, as wrought by God (ᵑ7 Syriac; compare Biblical Hebrew [תָּמַהּ]); — plural absolute תִּמְהִין Daniel 6:28; emphatic תִּמְהַיָּא Daniel 3:32, plural suffix תִּמְה֫וֺהִי Daniel 4:33. Topical Lexicon Overviewתְּמַהּ (temah) designates a “wonder” or “marvel,” a work that elicits astonishment at God’s sovereign power. Though it occurs only three times, all in the Aramaic sections of Daniel, the word stands in a long biblical tradition of “signs and wonders” that affirm the character of God and authenticate His redemptive acts. Occurrences in Daniel • Daniel 4:2–3—Nebuchadnezzar, having been humbled and restored, proclaims: “I am pleased to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are His signs; how mighty His wonders!”. In each case a Gentile monarch publicly acknowledges the God of Israel through the language of temah, underscoring that the Lord’s miraculous works are not confined to Israel but are intended to draw the nations to worship. Theological Significance 1. Revelation of Divine Kingship The wonders in Daniel explicitly validate the everlasting dominion of the “Most High” (Daniel 4:3). They confront Babylonian and Persian absolutism with a higher throne and thereby encourage exiled Israel that covenant promises remain intact despite foreign rule. 2. Instrument of Testimony Both kings move from personal experience to proclamation (“I am pleased to declare,” “He performs”). Temah thus functions evangelistically: believers recount God’s wonders so that others may revere Him (compare Psalm 96:3). 3. Covenant Continuity Daniel’s vocabulary recalls earlier redemptive events. Moses spoke of “signs and wonders” in Egypt (Deuteronomy 6:22); the prophets invoked the same language (Jeremiah 32:20). The God who once parted the sea now shuts lions’ mouths, proving His faithfulness across generations. 4. Anticipation of Messiah The Old Testament pattern of wonders foreshadows the messianic ministry in which Jesus performs “miracles, signs, and wonders” (Acts 2:22). Daniel’s use of temah keeps alive the expectation that God will again intervene climactically for His people. Relationship to ‘Signs’ (אות) and Other Terms Scripture often pairs “signs” with “wonders,” the first emphasizing purpose (a marker pointing to truth) and the second the effect (a deed that produces awe). Temah complements these ideas by highlighting the emotional and perceptual impact on observers, urging a response of fear and worship rather than mere curiosity. Historical Context Daniel 4 and 6 bracket a period of imperial transition—from Babylon to Medo-Persia—illustrating that God’s capacity for wonders transcends political change. The narrative invites exiles (and later readers) to trust divine providence even when earthly powers appear unassailable. Ministry Implications • Proclamation—Believers are called to imitate Nebuchadnezzar’s and Darius’s example, declaring God’s past and present wonders to a skeptical world (Psalm 105:1–2). Continuing Relevance While some argue that wonders were limited to an ancient era, Scripture presents them as ongoing expressions of divine sovereignty. Whether through miraculous healing, providential protection, or the new birth itself, the same God continues to perform temah—works that cause astonishment and testify that His kingdom “endures from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:3). Forms and Transliterations וְתִמְה֖וֹהִי וְתִמְהִ֔ין וְתִמְהַיָּ֔א ותמהוהי ותמהיא ותמהין vetimhaiYa vetimHin vetimHohi wə·ṯim·hay·yā wə·ṯim·hîn wə·ṯim·hō·w·hî wəṯimhayyā wəṯimhîn wəṯimhōwhîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 4:2 HEB: אָֽתַיָּא֙ וְתִמְהַיָּ֔א דִּ֚י עֲבַ֣ד NAS: the signs and wonders which KJV: the signs and wonders that the high INT: the signs and wonders which has done Daniel 4:3 Daniel 6:27 3 Occurrences |
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