Daniel 3:16

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

עֲנ֗וֹ
עֲנ֗וֹ
Root word answered, spake
Dictionary form: עֲנָה · uh-NAW

Verb — Peal, Perfect (Qatal), third person masculine plural simple action (Aramaic) — like Hebrew Qal completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: answered
answered ×12 spake ×10 and spake ×2 he answered ×2 they answered ×2 therefore he spake ×1 they spake ×1
More options
answer — Most direct equivalent; use for replies to questions.
respond — Slightly more formal; suits deliberate or official replies.
speak up — Captures the sense of taking the floor to address others.
declare — Use when the speech is a solemn or public statement.
say — Broadest option; fits casual or narrative contexts.
speak — Good when no specific question is being answered.

BDB9780 H6030 H6032

BDB9779 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9781

I. [עֲנָה] verb answer (see Biblical Hebrew I. עָנָה); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 feminine singular עֲנַת Dan 5:10 3 masculine plural עֲנוֺ Dan 2:7 +; Participle active (עֲנָה GGA, 1884, 1021) עָנֵה Dan 2:5 +, plural עָנַיִן (K§ 47 Beisp. e)) Dan 3:24 — always + אמר Participle, answered and said (ל [or קֳדָם] person usually following אדר; following ׳ע Dan 2:10; Dan 2:27; Dan 2:47): —
1. answer, make reply, to something said: Dan 2:5; Dan 2:7; Dan 2:8; Dan 2:10; Dan 2:27; Dan 3:16; Dan 3:24; Dan 3:25; Dan 4:16 b Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14.
2. respond to occasion, speak in view of a situation: Dan 2:15; Dan 2:20; Dan 2:26; Dan 3:9; Dan 3:14; Dan 3:19; Dan 3:24; Dan 3:26; Dan 3:28; Dan 4:16a; Dan 4:27; Dan 5:10.

answered, spake
ʿănâ
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce
  • to answer, respond
    • (P'al)
      • to answer, make reply
      • "to respond

שַׁדְרַ֤ךְ
שַׁדְרַ֤ךְ
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Shadrach")
Dictionary form: שַׁדְרַךְ · shahd-RAHK

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: shadrach
shadrach ×13 o shadrach ×1
More options
Shadrach — Standard anglicized form; use in most contexts.
Shadrak — Alternate spelling closer to Hebrew/Aramaic phonology.
Shad-rach — Hyphenated form useful for emphasizing syllable stress in study aids.

BDB9935 H7714 H7715

BDB9934 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9936

שַׁדְרַךְ13 proper name, masculine (compare Biblical Hebrew id.); — Dan 2:49; Dan 3:12 + 11 t. 3.

shadrach
šadrak
royal, the great scribe
Shadrak, the Babylonian name of one of Daniel's companions
  • the godly friend of Daniel whom Nebuchadnezzar renamed Shadrach; one of the three friends who with Daniel refused to make themselves unclean by eating food from the king's table which went against the dietary laws which God had given the Jews; also one of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a graven image of Nebuchadnezzar and who were saved by the angel of the Lord
    • also, 'Hananiah' (H2608)

מֵישַׁךְ֙
מֵישַׁךְ֙
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Meshach")
Dictionary form: מֵישַׁךְ · may-SHAHK

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: meshach
meshach ×14
More options
Meshach — Standard English rendering of this Babylonian proper name.
Mēšak — Scholarly transliteration for academic or critical editions.
Mishaku — Reconstructed Akkadian form; use in historically-focused contexts.

BDB9657 H4335 H4336

BDB9656 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9658

מֵישַׁךְ proper name, masculine (Biblical Hebrew id.); — Dan 2:49; Dan 3:12 + 11 t. 3.

meshach
mêšak
guest of the king
Meshak, the Babylonian
  • the godly friend of Daniel who Nebuchadnezzar renamed Meshach; one of the three friends who with Daniel refused to make themselves unclean by eating food from the king's table which went against the dietary laws which God had given the Jews; also one of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a graven image of Nebuchadnezzar and who were saved by the angel of the Lord
    • original name 'Mishael'

וַ עֲבֵ֣ד
וַ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
עֲבֵ֣ד
Root word a name — transliterate it
Dictionary form: אָב · awb

Noun — Proper Name

his father ×133 of their fathers ×94 his fathers ×86 my father ×80 thy father ×51 of the fathers ×44 the father ×41 their fathers ×30
More options
father — Default choice; direct, natural, widely understood.
ancestor — Prefer when referring to distant forebears or lineage.
forefather — Slightly more formal; good for ancestral or covenantal contexts.
patriarch — Use for tribal or clan heads with religious authority.
family head — Highlights household-leader role in social/legal contexts.
founder — Suits contexts emphasizing originating or establishing a line.

BDB17 H1

BDB16 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB18

אָב1191 noun masculine father (Phoenician אב, Assyrian abu, Arabic , Sabean אב CISiv, 1, 37 1. 2 and others, Ethiopic Aramaic אַבָּא, — absolute אָב Gen 44:19 + 47 t.; construct אַב Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (compare in אַבְרָהָם ib. & elsewhere in proper names. On Hal's proposed אֲבִר see אברהם); אֲבִי (compare Ge§§ 90, 3b, 96) Gen 4:20 +; suffix אָבִי Gen 19:34 + (MI אבי); אָבִיךָ Gen 12:1 +; אָבִיו Gen 2:24 +; אָבִ֫יהוּ Judg 14:10 + 6t.; plural אָבוֺת Exod 12:3 +; construct אֲבוֺת Exod 6:25 + 7 t.; suffix אֲבוֺתַי (אֲבֹתַי, אֲבוֺתָ֑י) Gen 47:9 + 15 t.; אֲבוֺתֵיהֶם 1Chr 4:38 + 32 t. (late); אֲבוֺתָם Exod 4:5 + 106 t. etc.; —

1. father of individual Gen 2:24 (+ אֵם) Gen 11:28; Gen 11:29 (twice in verse); Gen 19:31; Gen 19:32; Gen 19:33, + often (mostly J E D); of father as commanding Gen 50:16 (J) Jer 35:6 f Prov 6:20 (compare Gen 18:19 J Gen 28:1; Gen 28:6 P 1Sam 17:20; 1Kgs 2:1); instructing מוסר Prov 1:8; Prov 4:1 (compare Deut 8:5); specifically as begetter, genitor Prov 23:22; Zech 13:3 (twice in verse) (+ אֵם) Isa 45:10 compare Gen 49:4 (J) Lev 18:7; Lev 18:8; Lev 18:11 (P); rebuking Gen 37:10 loving Gen 37:4; Gen 44:20 (J E; compare Gen 22:2; Gen 25:28; Gen 37:3; 2Sam 14:1); pitying Ps 103:13 (in simile compare 2Sam 18:5); blessing Gen 27:41 (J E compare Gen 27:4 also Gen 28:1 P +); as glad Prov 10:1; Prov 15:20 compare Prov 29:3 grieving Gen 37:35 (J E; compare 2Sam 12:22; 2Sam 19:1; 2Sam 19:2 f) etc. Also as object of honour, obedience, love Exod 20:12 (E) = Deut 5:16; Exod 21:15; Exod 21:17 (E) Deut 21:18; Deut 21:19; Gen 28:7 (P) 1Kgs 19:20 (all + אֵם), 1Kgs 50:1; 1Kgs 50:5 (J) Mal 1:6 etc. Hence metaphor of intimate connection Job 17:14 to corruption I cry, My father art thou (|| אִמִּי וַאֲחֹתִי לָֽרִמָּה).
2. of God as father of his people (see RSSem 42), who constituted, controls, guides and lovingly watches over it: Deut 32:6; Jer 3:4; Jer 3:19; Jer 31:9; Isa 63:16 (twice in verse); Isa 64:7; Mal 1:6; Mal 2:10 (compare Exod 4:22; Exod 19:4 (JE) Deut 32:11; Hos 11:1); compare Jer 2:27 (of idolatrous Israel) אֹמְרִים לָעֵץ אָבִי אַתָּה וְלָאֶבֶן אַתְּ ילדתני׃; especially God as father of Davidic line 2Sam 7:14; Ps 89:27 f. of needy (late) Ps 68:6 (compare Ps 103:13) (in proper name, f. of individual, compare below)
3. head of household, family or clan; בֵּית אָבִי as abode Gen 38:11 (twice in verse); Lev 22:13 +; = family Gen 24:40 (|| מִשְׁפַּחְתִּי) Gen 41:51; Gen 46:31 + compare Num 18:1; Num 18:2; Josh 2:12; Josh 2:18; Josh 6:25 especially techn. of divisions of Israel בֵּית אָב לְמִשְׁפָּחוֺת Num 3:30; Num 3:35 = a father's house, i.e. a family or clan; more often plural (אבותם, אבותיו) בֵית אָבוֺת = father's houses = families, clans (compare Di on Exod 6:14) Exod 6:14; Exod 12:3; Num 1:2; Num 1:18 ff (often in Numbers) Josh 14:1; Josh 19:51; Josh 21:1 (twice in verse); Josh 22:14 (twice in verse) (always P in Hexateuch); also 1Chr 5:13; 1Chr 5:15 + often in Chronicles; compare רָאשֵׁי אבות הלוים (= ׳בית א ׳ר) Exod 6:25 compare 1Kgs 8:1; 1Chr 6:4; 1Chr 7:11 + often Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah.
4. ancestor (a) of individual; grandfather (instead of precise term) Gen 28:13; Gen 32:10 (J; where used by Jacob of Abraham & then of Isaac); greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:13 great-greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:11 etc.; oft plural (= fathers, forefathers) Gen 15:15; Gen 46:34 (JE) 1Kgs 19:4; 1Kgs 21:3; 1Kgs 21:4; 2Kgs 19:12; 2Kgs 20:17 +; particularly שׁכב עם אבותיו 1Kgs 1:21; 1Kgs 2:10; 1Kgs 11:21; 1Kgs 22:40 +; joined with ׳ויקבר עם אב 1Kgs 14:31; 1Kgs 15:24; 1Kgs 22:51; 2Kgs 8:24; 2Kgs 15:38 compare v2Kgs 15:7, 2Kgs 16:20 + (all of kings of Judah); intensive, אֲבֹתֶיךָ וַאֲבוֺת אֲבֹתֶיךָ Exod 10:6 compare Dan 11:24 (b) of people Gen 10:21 (J) Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (P) Gen 19:37; Gen 19:38 (J) Gen 36:9; Gen 36:43 (P) Deut 26:5; Isa 51:2; Isa 43:27 (where אביך הראשׁון thy first father, see Che) compare also Ezek 16:3; Ezek 16:45 + often; plural Exod 3:13; Exod 3:15; Exod 3:16 (E) Deut 1:8; Josh 1:6; Judg 2:1; 1Sam 12:6 +; 1Sam 12:15 near the end read וּבְמַלְכְּכֶם ᵐ5 We Dr.
5. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art Gen 4:20; Gen 4:21.
6. figurative of producer, generator Job 38:28 הֲיֵשׁ לַמָּטָר אָ֑ב (|| הוֺלִיד אֶגְלֵיטָֽֿל׃ מִיֿ).
7. figurative of benevolence & protection Job 29:6 אָב אָֽנֹכִי לָֽאֶבְיוֺנִים, compare Job 31:18 of Eliakim Isa 22:21 perhaps also of gracious Messianic king אֲבִי עַד Isa 9:5 everlasting father (Ge Ew De Che Brd Di) — others divider of spoil (Abarb Hi Kn Kue BrMP).
8. term of respect & honour (Abbas, Pater, Papa, Pope); applied to master 2Kgs 5:13 priest Judg 17:10; Judg 18:19 prophet 2Kgs 2:12 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:21; 2Kgs 13:14 (twice in verse); compare 2Kgs 8:9 counsellor Gen 45:8 (E; compare δευτέρου πατρός ᵐ5 add. Esth 3:13 τῷ πατρί 1 Mac Esth 11:32); king 1Sam 24:12 artificer 2Chr 2:12; 2Chr 4:16.
9. specifically, ruler, chief (late) 1Chr 2:24; 1Chr 2:42 (twice in verse); etc. (compare Ew§ 273 b) see also EwGeschichte. i. 524. H i. 365. On the force of אָב in proper names (in many probably a divine title), see CheEncy. Bib., ABI, NAMES WITHib., NAMES, §§ 44, 45.

fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …
ʾāb
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
  • father of an individual
  • "of God as father of his people"head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan"ancestor
    • grandfather, forefathers (of a person)
    • "of people
    originator or patron of a class, profession, or art"of producer, generator (figuratively)"of benevolence and protection (figuratively)"term of respect and honor"ruler or chief (specifically)

נְג֔וֹ
נְג֔וֹ
Root word a name — transliterate it ("And abed-nego")
Dictionary form: עֲבֵד נְגוֹא · uh-BADE neh-ɡOH

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: and abed-nego
and abed-nego ×14
More options
Abednego — Standard modern English spelling; use in most contexts.
Abed-Nego — Hyphenated form, highlights compound name structure.
Abed-nego — Mixed-case hyphenated; common in modern critical editions.

BDB9747 H5665 H5664

BDB9746 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9748

עֲבֵד נְגוֺ proper name, masculine comrade of Daniel (Biblical Hebrew id.); — Dan 2:49; Dan 3:12 + 10 t. 3, +עֲבֵד נְגוֺא Dan 3:29 = עֲזַרְיָה Dan 2:17.

abed-nego
ʿăbēd nĕgôʾ
servant of Nebo
Abed-Nego, the name of Azariah
  • the godly friend of Daniel who Nebuchadnezzar renamed Abednego; one of the three friends who with Daniel refused to make themselves unclean by eating food from the king's table which went against the dietary laws which God had given the Jews; also one of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a graven image of Nebuchadnezzar and who were saved by the angel of the Lord
    • also, 'Azariah' (H5838 or H5839)

וְ אָמְרִ֖ין
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
אָמְרִ֖ין
Root word said, commanded, tell, told, speak, …
Dictionary form: אֲמַר · uh-MAHR

Verb — Peal, Participle Active, masculine plural, absolute state simple action (Aramaic) — like Hebrew Qal ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: and said
and said ×35 commanded ×5 and commanded ×4 tell ×3 said ×2 and he commanded ×1 and said unto them ×1 and saying ×1
More options
say — Most neutral, broadly applicable spoken communication.
tell — Prefer when information is directed at a specific recipient.
speak — Emphasizes the act of speaking rather than content.
declare — Formal or public announcement; elevated register.
command — Use when the utterance carries authoritative directive force.
order — Informal alternative to 'command'; direct, contemporary register.

BDB9309 H560 H559

BDB9308 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9310

אֲמַר71 verb say, tell, command (Biblical Hebrew אָמַר); —

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K§ 38, 1 a); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K§ 41) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K§ 41 a); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —
1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.
2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.
3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K§ 76 e, so Dan 4:23].

said, commanded, tell, told, speak, …
ʾămar
to speak, to command
  • (P'al) to say, to speak, to command, to tell, to relate

לְ מַלְכָּ ֑א
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
מַלְכָּ
Root word king, kings, royal
֑א
Prefix — article the
Dictionary form: מֶלֶךְ · meh-LEK

Noun — Common, masculine singular, determined state determined — includes "the" (Aramaic)

In the KJV here: to the king
the king ×75 o king ×19 the kings ×12 king ×10 kings ×9 unto the king ×9 and the king ×7 to the king ×6
More options
king — Standard modern rendering; broadly suitable in most contexts.
monarch — Formal or literary tone; emphasizes sovereign authority.
ruler — Broader term; useful when royal title is less central.
sovereign — Elevated register; stresses supreme political power.
royal — Adjectival use; prefer when modifying a noun directly.

BDB9662 H4429 H4430

BDB9661 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9663

מֶ֫לֶךְ178 noun masculine king (general Semitic; see Biblical Hebrew); — ׳מ absolute Dan 2:10 + 2 t.; construct Dan 4:34 + 6 t.; usually emphatic מַלְכָּא Ezra 4:8 + 154 t., ָ  ה Dan 2:11 plural מַלְכִין Ezra 4:15 + 9 t., ִ  ים Ezra 4:13 (Hebraism, BeRy M41*); emphatic מַלְכַיָּא Dan 2:44 + 2 t.; — king Dan 2:4; Dan 2:5 + 132 t. Daniel; Ezra 4:8; Ezra 4:11 + 42 t. Ezra (מֶלָךְ מַלְכַיָּא of Nebuchadnezzar Dan 2:37, of Artaxerxes Ezra 7:12 [compare Cooke71.3, of Xerxes]; מַלְכִין Dan 7:17 = kingdoms, compare מַלְכוּ vDan 7:23).

king, kings, royal
melek
a king
  • king

נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֔ר
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֔ר
Root word a name — transliterate it ("O nebuchadnezzar")
Dictionary form: נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר · neh-boo-kahd-nets-SAHR

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: o nebuchadnezzar
nebuchadnezzar ×26 then nebuchadnezzar ×2 o nebuchadnezzar ×1 of nebuchadnezzar ×1 was nebuchadnezzar ×1
More options
Nebuchadnezzar — Standard modern English spelling; use in most contexts.
Nebuchadrezzar — Closer to Babylonian original; preferred in scholarly work.
King Nebuchadnezzar — Add title when royal role needs emphasis.

BDB9686 H5019 H5020

BDB9685 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9687

נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר31 proper name, masculine (= Biblical Hebrew רֶאצַּר-, etc.); — Dan 2:28 + 23 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:12; Ezra 5:14; Ezra 6:5 ׳נְבֻכ Dan 3:3 + 3 t. Daniel.

nebuchadnezzar
nĕbûkadneṣṣar
may Nebo protect the crown
Nebukadnetstsar (or Nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of Babylon
  • the great king of Babylon who captured Jerusalem and carried Judah captive

לָֽא
לָֽא
Particle not
Dictionary form: לָא · law

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: are not
not ×18 nor ×8 no ×6 shall not ×4 without ×4 is not ×3 neither ×3 are not ×2
More options
not — Standard negation; fits most contexts naturally.
no — Use before nouns or as a standalone negative reply.
nor — Connects two negative clauses or items.
never — Emphasizes total absence across time or circumstance.
nothing — Use when negating an implied object or quantity.
without — Preferable when negating accompaniment or condition.

BDB9632 H3808 H3809

BDB9631 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9633

לָא (לָה Dan 4:32) adverb not (Biblical Hebrew לא; Aramaic of Têma, Egyptian, etc., לא; Nerab ל (Lzb301 CookG1. 67); ᵑ7 לָא; Syriac ); — not Jer 10:11; Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:10, etc.; before a participle (so rarely in Biblical Hebrew, 1 b c), Dan 2:27; Dan 2:43; Dan 3:16; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15 +, so v.Dan 4:32 וְכָלדָּֿאְרֵי אַרְעָא כְּלָה חֲשׁיבִין; are as men not accounted of (so Bev Behrm Marti, compare Isa 53:8 ᵑ7 בסירין ולא חשׁיבין; > most 'accounted as nothing,' for which no analogy, yet compare Ps 39:6 ᵑ7); followed by אִיתַי, see אִיתַי. With infinitive and לְ Dan 6:9 דִּי לָא לִהַשְׁנָיָה which it is not to alter = which is not to be altered (compare v.Dan 6:16), Ezra 6:8 (K§ 67, 1 Dr§ 202, 2.; compare Isa 35:6 ᵑ7, DAramaic Dialektproben, p. 1). With interr. הֲלָא Dan 3:24; Dan 4:27; Dan 6:13.


BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

BDB9639 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9641

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke217, 219, 241 S-CPap. C 6, 7 +; lâinnî, however SocArab. Dial. see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Gen 32:28; Gen 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1. after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):
  a. except Dan 2:11; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:8.
  b. but (German sondern) Dan 2:30.
2. without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

not, no, nor, without, none, …
lāʾ
no, not
  • no, not, nothing

חַשְׁחִ֨ין
חַשְׁחִ֨ין
Root word careful, of
Dictionary form: חֲשַׁח · huh-SHA

Verb — Peal, Participle Active, masculine plural, absolute state simple action (Aramaic) — like Hebrew Qal ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: careful
careful ×1 they have need of ×1
More options
need — Most neutral; fits both noun and verb contexts.
require — Formal register; good for legal or official contexts.
have need of — Modernized KJV phrase; slightly more emphatic than 'need'.
concerned about — Highlights the attentive, careful nuance of the gloss.
depend on — Use when reliance or necessity is the focus.

BDB9546 H2818

BDB9545 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9547

[חֲשַׁח] verb need (Assyrian —ašâ—u, crave; Syriac in need of; not ᵑ7; —

Pe`al Participle plural חָֽשְׁחִין Dan 3:16, singular Infinitive (van d. H., wrongly, ׳חַשׁ).


BDB9547 H2818

BDB9546 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9548

[חַשְׁחָה] noun feminine thing needed (Syriac ; in Kp. 175); — plural חַשְׁחָן Ezra 6:9.

careful, of
ḥăšaḥ
to be necessary (from the idea of convenience) or (transitively) to need
  • (v) (P'al) to need, have need
  • "(n) (P'al) the thing needed

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: אֲנַחְנָא · uh-na-NAW

Noun — Common, plural plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: we
we ×4
More options
we — Standard first-person plural pronoun; universally clear.
us — Use in object position or emphatic constructions.
our — Use when the pronoun functions as a possessive modifier.

BDB9315 H586 H587

BDB9314 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9316

אֲנַ֫חְנָא (Ezra 4:16 אֲנַ֫חְנָה) pronoun 1 plural we (Egyptian Aramaic RES361 S-CPap. אנחנה; Biblical Hebrew אֲנַחְנוּ; WCG 100 f.), Dan 3:16; Dan 3:17; Ezra 4:16 (after participle), Ezra 5:11.

we
ʾănaḥnāʾ
we
  • we (first pers. pl.)

עַל
עַל
Preposition upon, unto, over, in, against, …
Dictionary form: עַל · al

Preposition

In the KJV here: thee in
upon ×16 over ×9 unto ×8 against ×7 concerning ×5 in ×5 for ×4 to ×4
More options
on — Most versatile default; covers surface and figurative senses.
over — Use for authority, coverage, or position above.
about — Best for topics or subjects of speech or thought.
against — Use for opposition, complaint, or hostile action.
concerning — Formal; suits legal or prophetic discourse on a subject.
regarding — Neutral modern alternative to 'concerning'.

BDB9768 H5922 H5921

BDB9767 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9769

עַל preposition upon, over, on account of, above, to, against (Biblical Hebrew and general Aramaic id.); — suffix 1 singular עֲלַי; 2 masculine singular עליך Kt (so Egyptian Aramaic, CookeNo. 77, A 5, 6, B 8, S-CPap. A 3, B 5 +), עֲלָךְ, Qr (ᵑ7 עֲלַךְ, Dalm§ 47, 2) Dan 3:12 + 6 t. Daniel; Ezra 7:18 3 masculine singular עֲלוֺהִי (so Nabataean, Palmyrene; Egyptian Aramaic עלוי S-CA 6 +) Dan 3:28 +, עֲלֹהִי Ezra 6:11 3 feminine singular עליה Kt (so Egyptian Aramaic, S-CD 24), עֲלַהּ Qr (so ᵑ7) Dan 4:14; Dan 5:21 1 plural עֲלֵינָא Ezra 4:12, עֲלֵ֑ינָא Ezra 4:18; Ezra 5:17 Baer (Gi עֲלֶ֑ינָא); 3 masculine plural עֲלֵיהֹם (so Nabataean, CISii. 226; Egyptian Aramaic, S-CPap. F 5, 8+) Ezra 7:24, עֲלֵיהוֺן Ezra 5:1; Ezra 5:3

1. a. upon, Dan 2:10; Dan 2:28; Dan 2:46; Dan 5:5; Dan 5:7; Dan 6:11 + often, Dan 4:26 עַלהֵֿיכַל מַלְכוּתָא (2Sam 11:2); to be established עַל מַלְכוּתִי 2Sam 4:33 (compare 2Chr 1:1 Biblical Hebrew II. 1) to lay an impost upon, Ezra 7:24 to trust on, Dan 3:28 after a verb of motion, מְטָא עַל to come upon, Dan 4:21; Dan 4:25 of times, to pass over, Dan 4:13; Dan 4:20; Dan 4:22; Dan 4:29; Ezra 5:1 בְּשֻׁם אֱלָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עֲלֵיהוֺן i.e. (named) over them.
  b. idiomatic (as in Biblical Hebrew; see II. 1 d) of the person who is the subject of an emotion or experience, Dan 5:9 וְזִיוֺתִי שָׁנַיִן עֲלוֺהִי were changed upon him, Dan 7:28; Dan 6:19 וְשִׁנְּתֵהּ נַדַּת עֲלוֺהִי (compare Dan 2:1).
  c. on accusative of (Biblical Hebrew 1 f b), Dan 3:16 פִּתְגָּם עַלדְּֿנָה. So in עַלדְּֿנָה on this accusative Ezra 4:15; Ezra 4:22; Ezra 5:17, עַלמָֿה wherefore ? Dan 2:15 and עַל דִּבְרַת דִּי (see ׳דְּ).
  d. on behalf of (ib. 1 f c), Ezra 6:17.
  e. regarding, concerning (ib. 1 f g), Dan 2:18; Dan 5:14; Dan 5:29; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:13; Ezra 7:14 + often
2. over, with verbs of ruling, appointing, etc., Dan 2:48; Dan 2:49; Dan 3:12; Dan 4:14 +, Ezra 4:20; Ezra 6:18.
3. in a comparative sense, above, beyond, Dan 3:19; Dan 6:4.
4. expressing direction:
  a. to, of a person, after a verb of motion (compare Biblical Hebrew 7 c a a), Dan 2:24; Dan 4:31; Dan 4:33; Dan 6:7; Dan 6:16; Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:23 + often; after to send (a letter, etc.) Ezra 4:11; Ezra 4:17; Ezra 4:18; Ezra 5:6 +, write Ezra 4:7, prophesy Ezra 5:1 of the direction of the mind (ib. 7c c), Dan 3:12; Dan 6:14 (twice in verse); Dan 6:15 compare Ezra 5:5 הֲוַת עַל ׳וְעֵין אֱל (compare Jer 40:4 and אֶל Ps 34:16).
  b. against, Dan 3:19; Dan 3:29; Dan 5:23; Dan 6:5; Dan 6:6 +; Ezra 4:8; Ezra 7:23.
5. in such phrases as שְׁפַר עַל, טְאֵב (to be) good or acceptable to (as in Syriac and late Hebrew: see Biblical Hebrew 8), Ezra 5:17 אִם עַל מַלְכָּא טָב, Ezra 7:18 (twice in verse); Dan 4:24 (יִשְׁפַּר), Dan 6:15 (בְּאֵשׁ), v.Dan 6:24 (טְאֵב). — compare the synopsis of meanings in Lzb340.

upon, unto, over, in, against, …
ʿal
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
  • upon, over, on account of, above, to, against
    • upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of
    • "over (with verbs of ruling)"above, beyond (in comparison)"to, against (of direction)

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: דֵּן · dane

Noun — masculine singular

In the KJV here: this
this ×28 and this ×3 of this ×3 these ×2 thus ×2 aforetime ×1 after this sort ×1 another ×1
More options
this — Most natural demonstrative; preferred in most contexts.
these — Use for plural referents in the context.
such — When emphasizing kind or category rather than identity.
that — Use when referent is more remote or already mentioned.
this matter — Idiomatic when דֵּן refers to a topic or affair.
for this reason — Use when the word functions as a causal connector.

BDB9303 H459 H1836 H428

BDB9302 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9304

אִלֵּין (אִלֵּן Dan 2:44; Dan 6:7) demonstrative pronoun plural these (plural of דְּנָה, q. v.: Palmyrene אלן (Lzb264 Eph. i. 343, 345 Cooke26); ᵑ7 אילין; Mandean עלין (M 89 f.); Talmud (with emphatic hâ prefixed, WCG:109) הָאִלֵּין: see further below Biblical Hebrew אֵלֶּה, and add Egyptian Aramaic אלו Cooke26); — these, only Daniel: Dan 2:40 דִּי מְרָעַע כָּלֿ, נִלֵּין, vDan 2:44 כָּלאִֿלֵּן מַלְכְוָתָא, Dan 6:3 אֲחַדְֵַּרְפְּנַיָּא אִלֵּין (so v.Dan 6:7), Dan 7:17 אִלֵּיץ חֵיוָתָא.


BDB9454 H1836 H459

BDB9453 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9455

דְּנָה57 demonstrative prounoun common this (Zinjirli זן, זנה; Egyptian Aramaic זנה (S-C Pap. B 17 +); זנך (ib.C 6, D 8); Nabataean, Palmyrene דנה (Lzb264 Cooke26); ᵑ7 דֵּין (e.g. 1Sam 10:27) and (with הָ, i.e. הָא, ecce) הָדֵתן; Aramaic of Têma הא זא (Cooke195. 198); Syriac (contracted for הָֽדְנָא); Mandean האזין; Sabean (HomChrest. 13); Ethiopic all from [דֶּה,] זה, + demonstrative noun (WCG 108 f.); feminine Biblical Aramaic דָּא, ᵑ7 דָּא, הָדה, Syriac , Mandean האזא, Ethiopic without the n; the plural is אִלֵּין, q. v. ); — this:
  a. Dan 2:18 רָזָא דְנָה this secret, vDan 2:28 vDan 2:29 vDan 2:30 +, Ezra 4:11; Ezra 5:3; Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 +; כָּלדְּֿנָה Dan 5:22.
  b. אַחֲרֵי דְנָה after this Dan 2:29; Dan 2:45 so בָּאתַר דְּנָה Dan 7:6; Dan 7:7.
  c. כִּדְנָה like this, thus, Jer 10:10 (= Hebrew כֹּה), Dan 2:10 מִלְּתָא כִדְנָה a word like this (compare כָּזֹאת Esth 4:14), Esth 3:29; Ezra 5:7.
  d. עַלדְּֿנָה on account of this Dan 3:16; Ezra 4:22; Ezra 5:5; Ezra 5:17; Ezra 6:11 as conjunction = therefore (compare Hebrew עַלזֹֿאת) Ezra 4:14; Ezra 4:15. — See also קֳבֵלַ and קַדְמָה.


BDB9603 H1768 H1836 H2298

BDB9602 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9604

כ

כְּ particle like, as, about (Biblical Hebrew כְּ, q. v.); — like, as Dan 2:40 תַּקִּיפָא כְּפַרְוְלָא, Dan 4:5; Dan 4:32; Dan 5:1 +; according to Dan 4:32 וּכְּ מִצְבְּיֵהּ עָכֵד and according to his will he doeth, Ezra 6:9; Ezra 6:18 +; about (as Biblical Hebrew 1 a: compare Zinjirli Lzb444 [ן] כשלשן מלכ), Dan 4:16 כְּשָׁעָה חֲדָה, Dan 6:1 with infinitive (Biblical Hebrew 3 b), Dan 6:21 וּכְ מִקְרְנֵהּ לִגֻבָּא and as he drew near, etc. Cpds.: — כְּ דִי and כִּדְנָה, see דִּי and דָּאנה; כַּחֲדָה; together, see חַד (sub אחד).

this, these, thus, wherefore, aforetime, …
dēn
this
  • (demons pron) this, on account of this
  • "(adv) therefore

פִּתְגָ֖ם
פִּתְגָ֖ם
Root word answer, matter, word, letter
Dictionary form: פִּתְגָּם · pit-ɡAWM

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: matter
a letter ×1 an answer ×1 matter ×1 this matter ×1 us answer ×1 word ×1
More options
word — Broad default; suits most contexts naturally.
message — Good when content is communicated from a sender.
reply — Prefer when a response to a prior statement is meant.
decree — Suits official or royal proclamations (Aramaic flavor).
matter — Use when referring to a subject or affair, not speech.
edict — Formal written ruling; fits legal or courtly contexts.

BDB9828 H6600 H6599

BDB9827 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9829

פִּתְגָם noun masculineEzra 6:11 command, word, affair (Persian: see Biblical Hebrew); — absolute ׳פ Dan 3:16 emphatic מָא- Ezra 4:17 +; — command Ezra 6:11, word, by missive Ezra 5:7, from king Ezra 4:17 (both with שְׁלַת), in answer Ezra 5:11 (with התיב); weakened, thing, affair Dan 3:16; Dan 4:14.

answer, matter, word, letter
pitgām
a word, answer, letter or decree
  • command, work, affair, decree
    • word, report
    • "decree

לַ הֲתָבוּתָֽ ךְ
לַ
Prefix — preposition to, for
הֲתָבוּתָֽ
Root word returned, answer, answered, restored
ךְ
Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)
Dictionary form: תּוּב · toob

Verb — Haphel, Infinitive Construct, construct state causative (Aramaic) — like Hebrew Hiphil try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: to answer
returned ×3 answered ×1 be restored ×1 they returned ×1 they returned answer ×1 to answer ×1
More options
return — Most general sense; going back to a place or state.
answer — Use when responding to a question or message.
reply — Slightly more conversational than 'answer'.
respond — Neutral; suits formal or diplomatic contexts.
restore — Use when something is returned to its former condition.
bring back — Emphasizes physical or tangible return of something.

BDB9995 H7725 H8421

BDB9994 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9996

תּוּב verb return (ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew שׁוּב); —

Pe`al Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְתוּב, with עַל person, of brightness (זִיו) of face Dan 4:33 b, of knowledge v.Dan 4:31 v.Dan 4:33 a. Haph`el Perfect 3 masculine singular הֲתִיב Dan 2:14 3 masculine plural suffix הֲתִיבוּנָא Ezra 5:11 Imperfect 3 masculine plural יַהֲתִיבוּן Ezra 6:5, יְתִיבוּן (K§ 33, 2) Ezra 5:5 Infinitive suffix לַהֲתָבוּתָח Dan 3:16
1. restore, accusative of thing Ezra 6:5.
2. return (accusative of answer, etc.) Ezra 5:5; Ezra 5:11; Dan 3:16 (suffix Persian), ׳עֵטָא וּטְעֵם הֲת Dan 2:14.

returned, answer, answered, restored
tûb
specifically (transitive and ellip.) to reply
  • to return, come back
    • (P'al) to return, come back
    • "(Aphel)
      • to restore, give back, answer
      • "to return

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
עֲנ֗וֹ Revia — a lesser break שַׁדְרַ֤ךְ מֵישַׁךְ֙ Pashta — a lesser break וַעֲבֵ֣ד נְג֔וֹ Zaqef Qatan — a strong break וְאָמְרִ֖ין Tipeha — a lesser break לְמַלְכָּ֑א Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֔ר Zaqef Qatan — a strong break לָֽא חַשְׁחִ֨ין אֲנַ֧חְנָא עַל דְּנָ֛ה Tevir — a lesser break פִּתְגָ֖ם Tipeha — a lesser break לַהֲתָבוּתָֽךְ Silluq — end of the verse

עֲנוֹ שַׁדְרַךְ מֵישַׁךְ וַעֲבֵד נְגוֹ וְאָמְרִין לְמַלְכָּא נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר לָֽא-חַשְׁחִין אֲנַחְנָא עַל-דְּנָה פִּתְגָם לַהֲתָבוּתָֽךְ׃
16
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Cross References

Daniel 1:7

וַיָּשֶׂם לָהֶם שַׂר הַסָּרִיסִים שֵׁמוֹת וַיָּשֶׂם לְדָֽנִיֵּאל בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר וְלַֽחֲנַנְיָה שַׁדְרַךְ וּלְמִֽישָׁאֵל מֵישַׁךְ וְלַעֲזַרְיָה עֲבֵד נְגֽוֹ׃
7
Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

Daniel 3:12

אִיתַי גֻּבְרִין יְהוּדָאיִן דִּֽי-מַנִּיתָ יָתְהוֹן עַל-עֲבִידַת מְדִינַת בָּבֶל שַׁדְרַךְ מֵישַׁךְ וַעֲבֵד נְגוֹ גֻּבְרַיָּא אִלֵּךְ לָא-שָׂמֽוּ עֲלָיךְ מַלְכָּא טְעֵם לֵֽאלָהָיךְ לָא פָלְחִין וּלְצֶלֶם דַּהֲבָא דִּי הֲקֵימְתָּ לָא סָגְדִֽין׃
12
There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.