אֱסוּר
Definition
The Hebrew noun אֱסוּר (ʼĕçûwr) refers to a 'band' or 'bond,' specifically denoting a physical restraint or a state of imprisonment. In its three biblical occurrences, it describes the binding of a person or, symbolically, a tree. In Ezra 7:26, it refers to the legal penalty of imprisonment, a binding by human decree. In Daniel 4:15 and 4:23, the word is used metaphorically in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, describing the 'band' of iron and bronze placed around a tree stump, symbolizing divine restraint and judgment upon the king.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in Aramaic portions of the Old Testament (Ezra and Daniel). It appears in contexts of legal authority and divine judgment. In Ezra 7:26, it is used for a secular, judicial punishment ('imprisonment'). In Daniel 4:15 and 4:23, it is part of a prophetic dream, describing a supernatural, metallic 'band' that signifies God's sovereign control over a ruler's life and sanity.
Etymology
אֱסוּר is the Aramaic form corresponding to the Hebrew noun אֵסוּר (H612), both derived from the root אסר ('-s-r), meaning 'to bind' or 'to tie.' This root is common in Semitic languages, conveying the core idea of restriction or confinement. The Aramaic form appears in the post-exilic biblical texts where Aramaic was the lingua franca.
Semantic Range
This word highlights the theme of divine sovereignty and judgment, particularly in the book of Daniel. The 'band' in Daniel 4 is an instrument of God's humbling discipline upon Nebuchadnezzar, illustrating that even the most powerful human rulers are bound by God's decree. Understanding this term enriches the reading of these passages by emphasizing that all forms of restraint—whether judicial (Ezra) or divine (Daniel)—ultimately fall under God's overarching authority.
In the ancient Near East, imprisonment as a formal legal penalty (as in Ezra) was less common than corporal punishment or fines; its mention here reflects Persian imperial legal practices. The imagery of binding a tree with metal bands (Daniel) would be understood as an act of preservation or containment, making the divine dream message about restraining a king's power culturally resonant.
מוֹסֵר (môçêr, H4147) — Often 'bonds' or 'fetters,' but can carry a stronger connotation of chastisement or discipline. עֲנָש (ʿănāsh, H6064) — Specifically refers to a penalty or punishment, often a fine, rather than the physical state of being bound.
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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