חֲסַן
to hold in occupancy
Definition
The Aramaic verb חֲסַן means to take possession of, hold, or occupy something, particularly in the context of acquiring and maintaining control over a domain or kingdom. In Daniel 7:18, it describes the saints of the Most High receiving and possessing the kingdom forever. In Daniel 7:22, it similarly refers to the saints taking possession of the kingdom, emphasizing a transfer of sovereign authority. The term conveys not merely temporary holding but enduring, rightful occupancy, often in a royal or eschatological framework.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel, specifically in the apocalyptic visions of chapter 7. It appears in contexts where divine judgment results in the transfer of dominion: the saints of God are granted everlasting possession of a kingdom, contrasting with the temporary reigns of earthly empires. Both occurrences (Daniel 7:18, 7:22) are parallel, reinforcing the theme of God's people ultimately inheriting and ruling over His eternal kingdom.
Etymology
חֲסַן is an Aramaic verb corresponding to the Hebrew root חָסַן (H2630), which means to be strong, firm, or to treasure up. The Aramaic form carries a specialized sense of taking possession or holding securely, likely derived from the idea of strength or firm control. It shares a semantic field with words for strength and wealth, reflecting the concept of secure ownership.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it underscores the promise of God's kingdom being given to His people. It highlights themes of divine sovereignty, eschatological victory, and the inheritance of the saints. Understanding this Aramaic term enriches the reading of Daniel's prophecies by emphasizing that the kingdom is not merely received but actively and lastingly possessed by the faithful, pointing to the ultimate triumph of God's reign.
In its original Aramaic setting, the term would have been understood in the context of ancient Near Eastern kingship and conquest, where possessing a kingdom implied legal authority and enduring rule. For Daniel's audience under foreign domination, this word offered hope that God's people would one day exercise true sovereignty, contrasting with the fragile empires of their time.
חָסַן (chasan, H2630) — The Hebrew root meaning to be strong or to treasure; more general than the Aramaic's specific sense of possession. מָלַךְ (malak, H4427) — to reign or rule as king; focuses on the act of ruling rather than taking possession. יָרַשׁ (yarash, H3423) — to inherit or dispossess; often used for taking possession of land, especially in conquest contexts.
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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