נְדַד

to depart

Definition

The Hebrew verb נְדַד (nᵉdad) means 'to depart' or 'to flee,' conveying a sense of movement away from a place or situation, often with urgency. In its single biblical occurrence in Daniel 6:18, it describes King Darius departing from his palace to spend a night fasting and in distress over Daniel in the lions' den. While the core meaning is straightforward, its related root (נָדַד, H5074) used elsewhere in the Old Testament can imply fleeing in fear (Isaiah 21:15) or wandering as a fugitive (Jeremiah 4:29), adding nuance to its sense of departure.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel (Daniel 6:18). It describes the deliberate, solemn departure of King Darius from his royal quarters after decreeing that Daniel be cast into the lions' den. The context is one of royal distress and personal anguish, indicating a departure marked by emotional weight rather than a simple, routine exit.

Etymology

נְדַד (nᵉdad, H5075) is the Aramaic form corresponding to the Hebrew root נָדַד (nādad, H5074). The Hebrew root carries meanings of fleeing, wandering, or being scattered. This Aramaic verb in Daniel retains the core idea of 'departing' from its Hebrew cognate, showing the shared semantic field between the two closely related Northwest Semitic languages used in the biblical text.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a simple verb for departure, its use in Daniel 6:18 is theologically significant. King Darius's departure underscores his powerlessness and inner turmoil despite his royal authority, highlighting a moment of human vulnerability before divine intervention. It sets the stage for God's deliverance of Daniel, contrasting human anxiety with God's sovereign protection. Understanding this departure as an act of distress enriches the reading of the narrative's tension.

In the ancient Near Eastern context of Daniel, a king's departure from his palace, especially for a night of fasting and sleeplessness (Daniel 6:18), was a profound public sign of mourning and distress. It signaled a break from normal royal duties and comforts, demonstrating the king's personal investment in the outcome of events—a stark contrast to a detached, bureaucratic rule. This action would have communicated deep concern to the contemporary audience.

נָדַד (nādad, H5074) — The direct Hebrew root, meaning to flee, wander, or be scattered, often with a sense of alarm or haste. בָּרַח (bāraḥ, H1272) — to flee or run away, typically from danger or an enemy. יָצָא (yāṣāʾ, H3318) — a more general term for to go out or depart, without the specific connotation of urgency or flight present in נְדַד.

Word Details

Scripture References