כְּפַת
to fetter
Definition
The Hebrew verb כְּפַת (kᵉphath) means 'to fetter' or 'to bind,' specifically referring to the act of putting someone in chains or shackles. In the Bible, it is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Book of Daniel to describe the binding of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before they are thrown into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:20-21). The term conveys a strong sense of physical restraint and imprisonment, emphasizing the king's attempt to exert total control over the three men. Its usage is consistent across all four occurrences, with no significant variation in meaning.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only in the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 3:20, 21, 23, and 24, all within the narrative of the fiery furnace. It describes the action taken by Nebuchadnezzar's soldiers to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The context is one of royal punishment and coercion, highlighting the conflict between the king's decree and the men's faithfulness to God. The repeated use of the word underscores the intensity of their physical confinement before their miraculous deliverance.
Etymology
כְּפַת is an Aramaic root of uncertain correspondence, meaning its exact Hebrew cognate is not definitively known. It is related to the broader Semitic concept of binding or tying. As an Aramaic word used in the Hebrew Bible, it reflects the linguistic context of the Babylonian exile, where Aramaic was the common language of the empire. The root conveys the basic idea of physical restraint, similar to Hebrew words like אָסַר (ʼâçar, H631).
Semantic Range
Theologically, כְּפַת highlights themes of persecution, faithfulness under pressure, and divine deliverance. The binding of the three men represents the world's attempt to shackle those who refuse to compromise their worship of God. Their subsequent survival in the furnace (Daniel 3:25-27) demonstrates that no human restraint can ultimately thwart God's power to save His faithful servants. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Daniel 3 by emphasizing the contrast between human oppression and divine liberation.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, binding with fetters was a common method of punishment and control, especially for prisoners or those sentenced to execution. The use of כְּפַת in Daniel 3 reflects standard Babylonian penal practice. The 'fiery furnace' itself was likely a industrial kiln used for metallurgy, making the binding a practical measure to prevent escape before execution. This cultural detail underscores the severity of the threat faced by the three Israelites.
אָסַר (ʼâçar, H631) — a more general Hebrew verb for 'to bind' or 'tie,' used in various contexts including covenants and prisoners. כָּבַשׁ (kâbash, H3533) — means 'to subdue' or 'bring into bondage,' often with a sense of conquest. עָנַשׁ (ʻânash, H6064) — means 'to fine' or 'punish,' focusing on the penalty rather than the physical restraint.
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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