סְתַר
to conceal; figuratively, to demolish
Definition
The Aramaic verb סְתַר means 'to conceal' or 'to hide,' referring to the act of keeping something out of sight or secret. In Ezra 5:12, it is used figuratively to mean 'to destroy' or 'to demolish,' describing how God allowed the Babylonians to overthrow Jerusalem and exile its people. In Daniel 2:22, it carries the sense of revealing what is hidden, as God 'reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.' Thus, the word encompasses both the act of concealing and the divine action of uncovering secrets.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only twice in the Old Testament, both in Aramaic portions of the Bible. In Ezra 5:12, it is used in a historical context to explain the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. In Daniel 2:22, it is used in a theological context about God's omniscience and his power to reveal mysteries. The usage shows a pattern where human actions conceal or destroy, but God ultimately reveals and controls what is hidden.
Etymology
סְתַר is the Aramaic form corresponding to the Hebrew verb סָתַר (sathar, H5641), which also means 'to hide' or 'to conceal.' It shares a common Semitic root with the idea of covering or secluding. The Aramaic usage in the biblical texts reflects the linguistic context of the Jewish exile, where Aramaic was a common language.
Semantic Range
This word highlights God's sovereignty over hidden knowledge and human history. In Daniel 2:22, it underscores God's unique ability to reveal mysteries, contrasting human limitations. In Ezra 5:12, it shows that even destructive events like the fall of Jerusalem are under God's control. Understanding this enriches reading by emphasizing that nothing is concealed from God, and he can unveil truths for his purposes.
In the ancient Near East, concealing knowledge or destroying cities were acts of power. The use in Ezra reflects the cultural reality of imperial conquest, where demolition was a tool of control. In Daniel, the concept of revealing hidden things aligns with wisdom traditions where deities were seen as sources of secret knowledge, but the Bible uniquely attributes this solely to Yahweh.
סָתַר (sathar, H5641) — The Hebrew equivalent, meaning to hide or conceal, used more frequently in Hebrew scriptures. כָּסָה (kasah, H3680) — to cover or conceal, often physically. אָבַד ('abad, H6) — to perish or destroy, focusing on loss rather than concealment.
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.
Full methodology & sources →