שַׂגִּיא
large (in size, quantity or number, also adverbial)
Definition
The Aramaic word שַׂגִּיא (saggîyʼ) primarily means 'great' or 'large,' describing magnitude in size, quantity, or number. In the book of Daniel, it often modifies nouns to denote vastness, such as the 'great image' in Daniel 2:31 or the 'great tree' in Daniel 4:10, 12, emphasizing immense physical scale. It can also function adverbially to mean 'exceedingly' or 'very,' intensifying actions or states, as seen in Ezra 5:11 where God's temple is described as 'a great house.' The word consistently conveys a sense of surpassing measure or importance within its Aramaic biblical context.
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically in Ezra (Ezra 5:11) and Daniel. In Daniel, it is frequently used in royal, visionary contexts—describing Nebuchadnezzar's dreams and decrees. For example, it modifies the king's reward as 'great gifts' in Daniel 2:6 and the 'great authority' given to Daniel in Daniel 2:48. The pattern shows it applied to objects, abstract qualities (like honor), and adverbial intensifiers, all within narratives emphasizing divine sovereignty and imperial power.
Etymology
שַׂגִּיא is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew word שַׂגִּיא (H7689), both deriving from a common Semitic root meaning 'to grow' or 'be great.' Its Aramaic form is used in the biblical texts that were originally written in that language (parts of Ezra and Daniel). The meaning development is straightforward, retaining the core sense of largeness or abundance from its root, paralleling usage in related Northwest Semitic languages.
Semantic Range
In its biblical usage, שַׂגִּיא often highlights the majesty and sovereignty of God, especially in contrast to human power. The 'great' images and trees in Daniel's visions (Daniel 2:31; 4:10-12) symbolize earthly kingdoms that are ultimately subject to God's greater dominion. Understanding this Aramaic term enriches reading by underscoring themes of God's transcendent greatness and the temporary nature of human grandeur, central to the theological message of Daniel.
In the Aramaic-speaking imperial context of the Babylonian and Persian periods, terms for 'greatness' were associated with royal prestige and monumental achievements. שַׂגִּיא would have resonated with audiences familiar with descriptions of vast palaces, armies, and treasures, reflecting cultural values of power and abundance. Its use in biblical Aramaic both engages and subverts this cultural understanding, attributing true greatness to God rather than human rulers.
רַב (rab, H7229) — A more common Hebrew/Aramaic term for 'many' or 'great,' often used interchangeably but with a broader frequency. גָּדוֹל (gadol, H1419) — The primary Hebrew word for 'great,' typically used for size, importance, or intensity, whereas שַׂגִּיא is specifically Aramaic.
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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