טְרַד
to expel
Definition
The Hebrew verb טְרַד (ṭᵉrad) means to expel, drive out, or cast out, often with a sense of force and permanence. In its four biblical occurrences, it specifically describes the divine judgment of expulsion from human society and reason, as seen in the case of King Nebuchadnezzar. In Daniel 4:25 and 4:32, it refers to God's decree that the king will be 'driven away' from people to live like a beast. This meaning is reiterated in the narrative's fulfillment (Daniel 4:33) and its later recounting (Daniel 5:21), consistently portraying a forced removal from one's rightful place and status.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel, all within the context of Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its aftermath. Its usage is highly specific, describing a supernatural, judicial expulsion from human community and sanity as an act of divine humiliation. The pattern is consistent: it is God who does the 'driving,' and the object is always a proud ruler being cast down. For example, Daniel 4:25 states, 'they shall drive you from among men,' directly linking the action to God's sovereign judgment.
Etymology
טְרַד is an Aramaic verb corresponding to the Hebrew root טָרַד (ṭārad, H2956), which also means to drive away, chase, or pursue. The Aramaic form used in Daniel carries the same core semantic idea of forced expulsion. Cognates in other Semitic languages support the sense of banishing or putting to flight. In the biblical context, its meaning is narrowed to a specific theological act of divine judgment.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly illustrates God's sovereignty over human kings and kingdoms. It depicts judgment not merely as punishment but as a humiliating expulsion from the order of creation—from human to beast—stripping away dignity and reason. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Daniel by highlighting the central theme that 'the Most High rules the kingdom of men' (Daniel 4:25). It serves as a stark warning against pride and a powerful demonstration of God's authority to demote the exalted.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, expulsion from the community was a severe form of judgment, often seen as a fate worse than death. For a king, being driven out meant the complete loss of identity, authority, and protection. The description of living with animals (Daniel 4:25) would have been understood as the ultimate degradation, placing the individual outside the bounds of civilized human order, which was a common literary motif for divine punishment in Mesopotamian traditions as well.
גָּרַשׁ (gāraš, H1644) — to drive out, often used for expelling people from land (e.g., Genesis 3:24). טָרַד (ṭārad, H2956) — the direct Hebrew equivalent, meaning to chase or pursue. הוֹצִיא (hôṣîʾ, H3318) — to bring out or lead out, a more general term for removal.
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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