בּוּת
to lodge over night
Definition
The Hebrew verb בּוּת (bûwth) means to lodge or spend the night, specifically referring to the act of staying overnight in a place. It carries the sense of temporary, overnight dwelling, distinct from permanent residence. This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Daniel 6:18, where it describes King Darius spending a night in fasting and sleeplessness. Given its single occurrence, its meaning is contextually clear and does not exhibit multiple senses.
Biblical Usage
בּוּת is used only in Daniel 6:18, within the Aramaic portion of the book. It describes King Darius's actions after Daniel was thrown into the lions' den: the king returned to his palace, refused entertainment, and 'passed the night' fasting. The usage emphasizes a deliberate, solemn, and wakeful overnight period, contrasting with ordinary rest. Its appearance in Aramaic narrative highlights a moment of royal distress and vigil.
Etymology
בּוּת is an Aramaic verb, likely a denominative derived from the common Semitic noun בַּיִת (bayith, H1005), meaning 'house.' Thus, its core idea relates to the activity associated with a house—dwelling or staying. This connection underscores the word's focus on lodging or overnight stay as a function of domestic space. It shares a conceptual root with Hebrew words for dwelling but is distinct in its Aramaic form and specific nocturnal context.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, בּוּת in Daniel 6:18 theologically highlights human helplessness and divine intervention. King Darius's sleepless night symbolizes anguish and hope amidst a crisis, setting the stage for God's deliverance of Daniel. Understanding this Hebrew/Aramaic term enriches reading by emphasizing the king's active, vigil-like waiting, which contrasts with his earlier decree, pointing to themes of repentance, prayer, and God's sovereignty over human kingdoms.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, a king spending a night in fasting and sleeplessness was a significant act of mourning or distress, often associated with seeking divine favor. Unlike modern contexts where sleeplessness might be incidental, here it was a deliberate, ritualized expression of anxiety and petition. This cultural practice underscores the gravity of the situation in Daniel 6, where the king's vigil reflects his recognition of a higher power.
לוּן (lûn, H3885) — a more common Hebrew verb for lodging or spending the night, often used in narrative contexts (e.g., Genesis 19:2).
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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