שְׁטַר
a side
Definition
The Hebrew word שְׁטַר (shᵉṭar) is an Aramaic loanword meaning 'side' or 'flank.' In its sole biblical occurrence in Daniel 7:5, it describes the physical side of a beast in a prophetic vision. The term specifically denotes the lateral part of a body, implying a position or a supporting structure. While its basic meaning is straightforward, its use in Daniel's apocalyptic literature gives it a specific, vivid context within a symbolic narrative.
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 7:5, describing a second beast in a vision that 'was raised up on one of its sides.' The context is prophetic and symbolic, with the word serving to detail the peculiar posture of the creature, which likely carries symbolic significance related to the empire it represents.
Etymology
שְׁטַר (shᵉṭar) is an Aramaic noun of uncertain derivation. It is a loanword adopted into Biblical Hebrew/Aramaic. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Syriac, with similar meanings related to the side or flank. Its precise root is debated, but it consistently carries the concrete sense of a lateral part of an object or body.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a simple anatomical term, its single use in Daniel 7:5 is theologically significant. The beast being raised up on one side may symbolize imbalance, aggression, or a favored direction of power and conquest. Understanding this detail enriches the interpretation of Daniel's prophetic visions, highlighting God's sovereignty over the rise and posture of earthly kingdoms. It reminds the reader that even minor descriptive details in apocalyptic literature can carry symbolic weight.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, descriptions of fantastic beasts were common in apocalyptic and prophetic literature. Specifying that a beast was raised on one side would have vividly conveyed a sense of unnatural posture, potential readiness for attack, or inherent instability. This imagery would resonate with an audience familiar with symbolic visions used to communicate divine messages about political powers.
צַד (tsad, H6654) — The more common Hebrew word for 'side,' used frequently for geographical direction or the side of an object. כָּתֵף (kāthēph, H3802) — Typically 'shoulder' or 'side,' often used for carrying burdens or as a part of the body. יָרֵךְ (yārēk, H3409) — Usually 'thigh' or 'loin,' but can refer to the side or flank in certain contexts (e.g., Genesis 24:2).
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.
Full methodology & sources →