אֲחִידָה
an enigma
Definition
The Hebrew noun אֲחִידָה (ʼăchîydâh) refers to a difficult, perplexing, or enigmatic statement or problem. It specifically denotes a riddle or a 'hard sentence' that requires special wisdom or insight to interpret or solve. In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes the intellectual challenge presented by King Belshazzar, which Daniel alone could unravel (Daniel 5:12). This meaning aligns closely with its Hebrew counterpart חִידָה (chîydâh, H2420), used for the riddles posed by Samson (Judges 14:12-19).
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. It appears in Daniel 5:12, where Queen Nebuchadnezzar describes Daniel as one who can 'interpret dreams, and shew hard sentences (אֲחִידָה), and dissolve doubts.' The context is a royal court in crisis, seeking a man endowed with divine wisdom to decipher an inexplicable and terrifying message from God. The usage underscores a context of divine revelation requiring supernatural interpretation.
Etymology
אֲחִידָה is an Aramaic word used in the Hebrew Bible, directly corresponding to the Hebrew noun חִידָה (chîydâh, H2420), which means 'riddle,' 'parable,' or 'difficult saying.' Both words derive from a root meaning to tie a knot or to be twisted, hence the idea of something intricate, ambiguous, or perplexing that must be 'untied' or solved.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the concept of divine wisdom surpassing human understanding. The 'hard sentence' in Daniel 5 represents a message from God that is inaccessible to Babylonian wise men but revealed to Daniel, God's prophet. It underscores the theme that true interpretation belongs to God (Genesis 40:8) and that He grants wisdom to His servants to reveal mysteries, a key theme in the book of Daniel. Understanding this enriches reading by emphasizing humanity's dependence on divine revelation for understanding spiritual truths.
In the ancient Near East, the ability to solve riddles and interpret enigmatic sayings was a prized intellectual and spiritual skill, often associated with diviners and wise men in royal courts. The specific use in Daniel 5 reflects a cultural setting where kings relied on a class of 'magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers' to decipher omens and dreams. Daniel's unique ability, attributed to the 'spirit of the holy gods' (Daniel 5:11), sets him apart from this pagan wisdom tradition, showcasing the superiority of Yahweh's wisdom.
חִידָה (chîydâh, H2420) — The direct Hebrew equivalent, more commonly used for riddles and perplexing sayings (e.g., Judges 14:12, Proverbs 1:6). מָשָׁל (mâshâl, H4912) — A proverb or parable, often a comparative saying that conveys wisdom, sometimes with a puzzling element. סוֹד (sôwd, H5475) — A secret or confidential matter, often referring to God's hidden counsel revealed to prophets.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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