כְּדַב
false
Definition
The Aramaic noun כְּדַב (kᵉdab) means 'falsehood' or 'lying.' It denotes something that is intentionally deceptive or untrue, specifically a fabricated statement or report. In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes the deceptive words King Nebuchadnezzar accuses his wise men of preparing in Daniel 2:9. The word carries a strong moral charge, implying a deliberate intent to mislead rather than a simple mistake.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. It appears in a royal, judicial context where King Nebuchadnezzar confronts his advisors, accusing them of conspiring to tell him 'lying and corrupt words' (Daniel 2:9) to delay giving an interpretation of his dream. Its usage highlights a context of political intrigue and the serious consequences of deception before a king.
Etymology
כְּדַב is an Aramaic noun derived from a root corresponding to the Hebrew verb כָּזַב (kāzab, H3576), which means 'to lie, to be false.' This etymological link shows the shared semantic field of falsehood and deception between Hebrew and Aramaic, the two primary languages of the Old Testament. The root conveys the idea of failing, deceiving, or proving unreliable.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it appears in a narrative about divine revelation versus human deception. In Daniel 2, the 'lying word' of the wise men contrasts with the true interpretation given by Daniel through God's revelation. It underscores the biblical theme that truth belongs to God, while falsehood is a human device that opposes divine wisdom and sovereignty. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Daniel by highlighting the stark choice between trusting human falsehood and divine truth.
In the ancient Near Eastern court setting of Daniel, a 'lying word' to a monarch was not merely a social faux pas but a capital offense, often considered treason. Accusations of deception in such a context carried immense weight and could result in execution, as seen in Daniel 2:5. This cultural gravity amplifies the tension in the narrative and the seriousness with which truth-telling was regarded in royal affairs.
שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — The primary Hebrew word for 'lie' or 'deceit,' used more broadly. כָּזָב (kāzāv, H3577) — A Hebrew noun for 'lie' or 'falsehood,' closely related etymologically. תַּרְמִית (tarmîṯ, H8649) — 'Deceit' or 'guile,' often implying treachery or trickery.
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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