נְקֵא
clean
Definition
The Aramaic word נְקֵא (nᵉqêʼ) means 'clean' or 'pure,' specifically describing a state of being unblemished, spotless, or free from impurity. In its sole biblical occurrence in Daniel 7:9, it describes the clothing of the 'Ancient of Days' as being 'white as snow' and 'pure' (נְקֵא), emphasizing absolute, radiant cleanliness. This purity is not merely physical but conveys a symbolic, divine quality of holiness and moral perfection. The term is used exclusively in an Aramaic portion of the Bible, reflecting its specialized use in visionary, apocalyptic contexts to depict celestial and divine realities.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Daniel 7:9, within the Aramaic sections of the book. It appears in a prophetic vision where Daniel sees the divine throne room and describes the attire of the Ancient of Days. The context is highly symbolic and apocalyptic, using the imagery of pure, white garments to portray God's absolute holiness and majestic glory. There are no other usage patterns, as this is its singular occurrence.
Etymology
נְקֵא is an Aramaic word derived from a root corresponding to the Hebrew root נָקָה (nāqâ, H5352), which carries the core meaning 'to be clean, pure, or free from guilt.' This root family in both Hebrew and Aramaic often relates to concepts of cleansing, innocence, and being cleared from obligation or impurity. The Aramaic form נְקֵא functions as an adjective describing a state achieved by this cleansing action.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it provides a rare Aramaic descriptor for God's inherent purity. In Daniel 7:9, the purity of the Ancient of Days' garments symbolizes His transcendent holiness, moral perfection, and glorious majesty, setting Him apart from all creation. Understanding this term enriches the reading of this apocalyptic vision, highlighting that God's nature is utterly untainted and serves as the standard of absolute purity. It connects to doctrines of God's attributes (holiness) and the ultimate cleansing believers receive from Him.
In the ancient Near Eastern cultural context, white, clean garments often symbolized purity, victory, and divine or royal status. For Daniel's original audience, familiar with Persian court imagery where white robes denoted high honor, the description of the Ancient of Days in pure white clothing would immediately communicate supreme authority, righteousness, and celestial glory. This contrasts with modern associations where 'clean' can be a mundane, physical description; here, it carries heavy symbolic and religious weight.
טָהוֹר (ṭāhôr, H2889) — The primary Hebrew word for 'clean' or 'pure,' used extensively in ritual and moral contexts (e.g., Leviticus). נָקִי (nāqî, H5355) — Means 'clean, innocent, or free from guilt,' often in a legal or moral sense (e.g., Genesis 24:41).
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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