כְּהַל
to be able
Definition
The Aramaic verb כְּהַל (kᵉhal) means 'to be able' or 'to have the capacity or power to do something.' It specifically denotes the ability to perform an action, often in contexts requiring wisdom, skill, or divine enablement. In Daniel 2:26 and 5:15, it is used in interrogative forms, asking if someone is 'able' to interpret a dream or mystery. In Daniel 4:18 and 5:8, it describes the failure of others who 'could not' or 'were not able' to provide an interpretation, highlighting human limitation contrasted with divine revelation.
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel, used four times in narratives involving King Nebuchadnezzar and King Belshazzar. It consistently occurs in contexts where royal advisors are questioned about their ability to interpret dreams or mysterious writings (Daniel 2:26, 4:18, 5:8, 5:15). The pattern emphasizes human inability versus divine capability, as only Daniel, empowered by God, ultimately succeeds where others fail.
Etymology
כְּהַל is an Aramaic root verb, corresponding to the Hebrew root כּוּל (kûl, H3557), which carries meanings like 'to contain,' 'to sustain,' or 'to hold.' This connection suggests a semantic development from the idea of 'holding capacity' to 'having ability.' As an Aramaic term in the Hebrew Bible, it reflects the linguistic setting of the Babylonian court during the exile.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it underscores a key theme in Daniel: the limitation of human wisdom and the supremacy of God's revelation. The repeated failure of the Babylonian wise men to interpret dreams (Daniel 4:18, 5:8) contrasts with Daniel's God-given ability (Daniel 2:27-28), pointing to divine sovereignty over human knowledge. Understanding this enriches reading by highlighting that true understanding and capability come from God alone, especially in times of crisis or mystery.
In the cultural context of the Babylonian court, 'ability' was closely tied to the prestige and perceived power of royal magicians, enchanters, and wise men. Their failure to interpret the king's dreams or the writing on the wall (Daniel 5:8) would have been seen as a profound professional and political disgrace, amplifying the narrative's tension and the miraculous nature of Daniel's success through his God.
יָכֹל (yākōl, H3201) — The primary Hebrew verb for 'to be able,' used widely in the Old Testament; כּוּל (kûl, H3557) — The Hebrew cognate root meaning 'to contain' or 'to sustain,' sharing an etymological connection.
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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