קְיָם
an edict (as arising in law)
Definition
The Aramaic noun קְיָם (qᵉyâm) refers to a formal, authoritative decree or statute, often issued by a king or a governing authority. In the biblical context, it denotes a legally binding pronouncement that cannot be altered or revoked, carrying the full weight of law. This is vividly illustrated in the Book of Daniel, where King Darius signs such a 'decree' (Daniel 6:7) that anyone who prays to any god or man other than the king must be thrown into the lions' den. The irrevocable nature of this decree is later emphasized when the king's officials remind him that 'according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed' (Daniel 6:15).
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Daniel. It appears in contexts of royal and imperial law, describing decrees issued by the highest authority (the king) that are permanent and unchangeable. Both occurrences (Daniel 6:7, 6:15) are within the narrative of Daniel in the lions' den, highlighting the conflict between human law and divine loyalty.
Etymology
Derived from the Aramaic root קוּם (qûm, H6966), meaning 'to arise, stand, establish.' קְיָם is a noun form conveying the concept of something that is 'set up' or 'established,' hence a fixed statute or decree. This root is cognate with the common Hebrew verb for 'to rise' and shares the core idea of something being made firm and standing.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the tension between human authority and divine sovereignty. The unchangeable 'decree' of a human king in Daniel 6 sets the stage for God's miraculous deliverance, demonstrating that His authority surpasses all earthly laws. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Daniel by emphasizing the cost of faithfulness and the ultimate supremacy of God's eternal decrees over temporary human edicts.
In the cultural context of the Medo-Persian Empire, a royal 'decree' (qᵉyâm) was understood as an absolute, irrevocable law. This was a specific legal principle of the Medes and Persians (Daniel 6:8, 6:15) that even the king himself could not violate once it was signed. This contrasts with modern legal systems where laws can be amended or repealed, underscoring the severe and binding nature of the decree Daniel faced.
דָּת (dāṯ, H1882) — A more general Aramaic term for 'law' or 'decree,' often used in the same contexts (e.g., Esther, Daniel). חֹק (ḥōq, H2706) — A Hebrew term for a statute or ordinance, often used for divine laws and decrees.
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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