דִּבְרָה
Definition
The Hebrew noun דִּבְרָה (dibrâh) means 'reason,' 'intent,' or 'sake.' It specifically denotes the purpose or cause behind an action or event. In Daniel 2:30, it refers to the reason God revealed King Nebuchadnezzar's dream to Daniel—not for Daniel's own wisdom, but for the sake of making the interpretation known to the king. In Daniel 4:17, the word describes the intent or decree of the Most High in humbling a ruler, emphasizing a divine purpose behind earthly events.
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel (Daniel 2:30 and 4:17). In both instances, it is used in the context of divine revelation or decree, explaining the reason or purpose behind God's actions. The pattern shows it functioning to clarify the motive or objective in a theological narrative, often linking human events to a higher, divine plan.
Etymology
דִּבְרָה (dibrâh) is an Aramaic noun corresponding to the Hebrew דִּבְרָה (H1700), which derives from the root ד־ב־ר (d-b-r), meaning 'to speak' or 'word.' In Aramaic, it developed a specialized sense of 'matter,' 'affair,' or 'reason,' focusing on the purpose or cause behind spoken words or actions, as seen in its biblical usage.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights God's sovereign purpose in human affairs. In Daniel, it underscores that divine revelations and decrees are not arbitrary but have a specific intent—often to demonstrate God's authority and wisdom. Understanding דִּבְרָה enriches Bible reading by emphasizing that God acts with deliberate reason, inviting trust in His overarching plans, even in mysterious or challenging circumstances.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, especially in Aramaic-speaking regions during the Babylonian exile, words denoting 'reason' or 'intent' were important in royal and divine decrees. דִּבְרָה reflects a cultural emphasis on the rationale behind authoritative pronouncements, differing from modern casual usage by carrying weighty implications of purpose in legal and prophetic settings.
עֵט (ʿēṭ, H5832) — 'counsel' or 'plan,' focusing more on advice or design rather than reason. סִבָּה (sibbâh, H5475) — 'cause' or 'reason,' often used for logical or circumstantial causes. מַטָּרָה (maṭṭārâh, H4307) — 'purpose' or 'aim,' emphasizing a goal or target.
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 →