נְחָשׁ
copper
Definition
The Aramaic noun נְחָשׁ (nᵉchâsh) refers to copper or bronze, a metal used in the ancient Near East for tools, weapons, and symbolic objects. In the book of Daniel, it consistently describes a component of the great statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 2:32, 35, 39, 45), representing the third kingdom (often identified as Greece). The word also appears in descriptions of the king's pride and downfall, where vessels of this metal are taken from the temple (Daniel 5:4, 23). While often translated as 'bronze' or 'brass,' it denotes a copper-based alloy signifying strength and imperial power within the prophetic visions.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel (9 times). Its primary context is Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a composite statue, where the belly and thighs of 'copper' symbolize a kingdom inferior to the preceding silver and gold but stronger than the following iron (Daniel 2:32, 39). It is also used for temple vessels plundered by Belshazzar (Daniel 5:4, 23) and in the description of a felled tree (Daniel 4:15, 23), consistently associated with human kingdoms, pride, and items of value or judgment.
Etymology
נְחָשׁ is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew נְחוּשָׁה (nᵉchûshâh, H5154), both meaning 'copper' or 'bronze.' The root is shared with words for 'serpent' (נָחָשׁ, nâchâsh, H5175), possibly due to the shiny, gleaming appearance of the metal or the practice of serpentine patterns in metalwork. In Aramaic, it directly corresponds to the Hebrew term, maintaining the same metallic sense within the imperial and prophetic language of Daniel.
Semantic Range
In Daniel's prophecies, copper/bronze is a key element in God's revelation of human history and sovereignty. It represents a specific empire within the sequence of kingdoms, illustrating the transient nature of human power and God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of nations (Daniel 2:39-45). The misuse of copper temple vessels in Daniel 5:4, 23 highlights the sacrilege of pride and idolatry, leading to divine judgment. Understanding this metal's symbolic role enriches the interpretation of Daniel's apocalyptic visions, emphasizing that all earthly kingdoms are measured and destined by God.
In the ancient Near East, copper and bronze were essential metals for weaponry, currency, and ceremonial objects, signifying military strength and economic wealth. The statue in Daniel 2 reflects a common cultural motif of using precious materials to represent hierarchical power, with copper being less valuable than gold or silver but more durable than iron mixed with clay. The plundered temple vessels (Daniel 5) would have been seen as both valuable loot and symbols of conquest and religious defiance, deepening the narrative's tension.
נְחוּשָׁה (nᵉchûshâh, H5154) — The direct Hebrew equivalent, used in similar metallic contexts but in Hebrew biblical texts. כְּלִי (kᵉlî, H3627) — A general term for 'vessel' or 'utensil,' which can be made of נְחָשׁ, as in Daniel 5:4. פַּרְזֶל (parzel, H6523) — 'Iron,' the metal following copper in Daniel's statue sequence, representing a stronger, harsher kingdom (Daniel 2:33, 40).
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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