Daniel 3:9

עֲנוֹ֙ וְאָ֣מְרִ֔ין לִנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר מַלְכָּ֑א מַלְכָּ֖א לְעָלְמִ֥ין חֱיִֽי
They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

עֲנוֹ֙
עֲנוֹ֙
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: they spake
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 NöGGA, 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

וְ אָ֣מְרִ֔ין
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
אָ֣מְרִ֔ין
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

לִ נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר
לִ
Prefix — preposition to, for
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Nebuchadnezzar")
Dictionary form: נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר · neh-boo-kahd-nets-SAHR

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: 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

מַלְכָּ ֑א
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

מַלְכָּ ֖א
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: o 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

לְ עָלְמִ֥ין
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
עָלְמִ֥ין
Root word ever, everlasting, old, never
Dictionary form: עָלַם · aw-LAHM

Noun — Common, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: for ever
for ever ×8 is an everlasting ×4 ever ×3 old ×2 and ever ×1 shall never ×1
More options
eternal — Broad adjective; suits timeless, abstract contexts well.
everlasting — Modernized KJV form; emphasizes unending duration.
forever — Common adverbial use; best for phrases like 'forever and ever'.
age-old — Stresses ancient origin rather than future endlessness.
enduring — Softer register; highlights continuity over infinite time.
perpetual — Formal tone; fits legal or covenantal language.

BDB9773 H5957 H5769

BDB9772 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9774

עָלַם noun [masculine] perpetuity, antiquity (see Biblical Hebrew III> עלם, עוֺלָם); — ׳ע absolute Dan 3:33 +, construct Dan 7:18 emphatic עָֽלְמָא Dan 2:20 +; plural עָֽלְמִין Dan 2:4 +, emphatic עָֽלְמַיָּא Dan 2:44; Dan 7:18 — perpetuity in the future: ׳מַלְכוּת ע Dan 3:33; Dan 7:27, compare Dan 4:31; Dan 7:14 ׳ע as adverb for ever Dan 4:31 עַדעָֽֿלְמָא וְעַדעָֿלַם עָֽלְמַיָּא Dan 7:18 plural ׳לְע for ever Dan 2:4; Dan 2:44; Dan 2:44; Dan 3:9; Dan 5:10; Dan 6:7; Dan 6:22; Dan 6:27 antiquity, מִןיֿוֺמָת עָֽלְמָא Ezra 4:15; Ezra 4:19 of limitless time both past and future: ׳וְעַדעֿ ׳מִןעֿ Dan 2:20.

ever, everlasting, old, never
ʿālam
remote time, i.e., the future or past indefinitely; often adverb, forever
  • perpetuity, antiquity, for ever

חֱיִֽי
חֱיִֽי
Root word live
Dictionary form: חֲיָא · huh-YAW

Verb — Peal, Imperative, second person masculine singular simple action (Aramaic) — like Hebrew Qal a command — try "___!" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: live
live ×5
More options
live — Most direct modern equivalent; broadly applicable.
be alive — Emphasizes a state of living rather than an action.
survive — Prefer when context implies enduring threat or danger.
remain alive — Highlights continuation of life; slightly more emphatic.

BDB9521 H2418 H2421

BDB9520 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9522

[חֲיָא] verb live (see Biblical Hebrew תָיָה); —

Pe`al Imperative לְעָֽלְמִין חֱיִי live for ever! Dan 2:4; Dan 3:9; Dan 5:10; Dan 6:7; Dan 6:22. Hiph`il Participle מַחֵא (K§ 11. 3 b) γ) HptKmp. Dn. 28) Dan 5:19 let live.

live
ḥăyāʾ
to live
  • to live
    • (P'al) to live
      • "(Aphel) to let live, keep alive

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
עֲנוֹ֙ Pashta — a lesser break וְאָ֣מְרִ֔ין Zaqef Qatan — a strong break לִנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר Tipeha — a lesser break מַלְכָּ֑א Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here מַלְכָּ֖א Tipeha — a lesser break לְעָלְמִ֥ין חֱיִֽי Silluq — end of the verse

עֲנוֹ וְאָמְרִין לִנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר מַלְכָּא מַלְכָּא לְעָלְמִין חֱיִֽי׃
9
They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
Cross References

Daniel 6:6

אֱדַיִן סָרְכַיָּא וַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּא אִלֵּן הַרְגִּשׁוּ עַל-מַלְכָּא וְכֵן אָמְרִין לֵהּ דָּרְיָוֶשׁ מַלְכָּא לְעָלְמִין חֱיִֽי׃
6
Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

Daniel 5:10

מַלְכְּתָא לָקֳבֵל מִלֵּי מַלְכָּא וְרַבְרְבָנוֹהִי לְבֵית מִשְׁתְּיָא עַלַּלת עֲנָת מַלְכְּתָא וַאֲמֶרֶת מַלְכָּא לְעָלְמִין חֱיִי אַֽל-יְבַהֲלוּךְ רַעְיוֹנָךְ וְזִיוָיךְ אַל-יִשְׁתַּנּֽוֹ׃
10
Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:

Daniel 2:4

וַֽיְדַבְּרוּ הַכַּשְׂדִּים לַמֶּלֶךְ אֲרָמִית מַלְכָּא לְעָלְמִין חֱיִי אֱמַר חֶלְמָא לְעַבְדָיךְ וּפִשְׁרָא נְחַוֵּֽא׃
4
Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.

Daniel 6:21

אֱדַיִן דָּנִיֶּאל עִם-מַלְכָּא מַלִּל מַלְכָּא לְעָלְמִין חֱיִֽי׃
21
Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

Daniel 3:4

וְכָרוֹזָא קָרֵא בְחָיִל לְכוֹן אָֽמְרִין עַֽמְמַיָּא אֻמַּיָּא וְלִשָּׁנַיָּֽא׃
4
Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

Romans 13:7

ἀπόδοτε οὖν πᾶσιν τὰς ὀφειλάς τῷ τὸν φόρον τὸν φόρον τῷ τὸ τέλος τὸ τέλος τῷ τὸν φόβον τὸν φόβον τῷ τὴν τιμὴν τὴν τιμήν
7
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Daniel 3:8
Read Daniel 3
Daniel 3:10