נְמַר
Definition
The Hebrew word נְמַר (nᵉmar) is an Aramaic noun meaning 'leopard.' It refers specifically to the large, spotted wild cat known for its speed, strength, and ferocity. In its single biblical occurrence, it is used symbolically to represent a powerful, swift, and predatory kingdom in Daniel's vision (Daniel 7:6). This symbolic usage draws directly from the animal's known characteristics in the ancient Near East.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. It appears in Daniel 7:6 within a prophetic vision, where a beast 'like a leopard' symbolizes the rapid and aggressive expansion of the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. The context is entirely symbolic and apocalyptic, contrasting with more literal descriptions of leopards in the Hebrew portions of scripture (e.g., Jeremiah 13:23, Song of Solomon 4:8).
Etymology
נְמַר (nᵉmar) is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew noun נָמֵר (nāmēr, H5246), both meaning 'leopard.' The words share a common Semitic root (n-m-r) related to the animal's spotted appearance. The Aramaic form is used in Daniel, reflecting the language of that section of the book, while the Hebrew form is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Semantic Range
In Daniel 7, the leopard is a key symbol in apocalyptic prophecy, representing the swift and predatory nature of a successive world empire. Its imagery contributes to the biblical theme of human kingdoms as beastly, contrasting with the coming divine, human-like kingdom of the 'son of man' (Daniel 7:13-14). Understanding this symbol enriches the interpretation of Daniel's vision of history and God's ultimate sovereignty.
In the ancient Near East, the leopard was feared and respected as a powerful, swift, and cunning predator, often inhabiting mountainous regions (Song of Solomon 4:8). Its spotted hide was proverbial for something unchangeable (Jeremiah 13:23). This cultural understanding of the leopard's speed and ferocity directly informs its symbolic use in Daniel to depict a rapidly conquering military power.
נָמֵר (nāmēr, H5246) — The standard Hebrew word for 'leopard,' used in poetic and prophetic texts (e.g., Jeremiah 13:23, Hosea 13:7).
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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