Syria (2)
The Word in Daniel 2:4
In the KJV of Daniel 2:4, the Chaldean wise men speak to King Nebuchadnezzar "in Syriack" (or "in Syrian" in revised versions). The marginal note in many editions clarifies that this means "in Aramaic." This verse marks a significant literary transition: from this point until Daniel 7:28, the text of Daniel is written in Aramaic rather than Hebrew. The label "Syriac" or "Syrian" was an older English designation for what scholars now consistently call Aramaic.
Aramaic: The Language of Empire
Aramaic was the international language of diplomacy and commerce throughout much of the ancient Near East from roughly the 8th century BC onward. It served as the official administrative language of the Neo-Babylonian and Persian empires. When Daniel's wise men addressed Nebuchadnezzar "in Aramaic," they were using the standard court language of Babylon. The fact that a significant portion of Daniel is written in Aramaic reflects the book's setting in the Babylonian and Persian courts.
Why "Syrian" for Aramaic?
The confusion between "Syrian" and "Aramaic" stems from the close historical relationship between Syria and the Aramean peoples. The Arameans settled extensively in the region that became known as Syria, and their language spread far beyond their original territory. By the Hellenistic period, Greek writers used "Syrian" and "Aramaic" somewhat interchangeably. This usage persisted into English Bible translation, where the KJV translators used "Syriack" to describe what modern scholarship identifies as Aramaic.
The Bilingual Structure of Daniel
Daniel is one of only two books in the Old Testament that contain substantial sections in Aramaic (the other being Ezra). Daniel 1:1-2:4a is written in Hebrew, Daniel 2:4b-7:28 in Aramaic, and Daniel 8:1-12:13 returns to Hebrew. Various theories explain this structure: the Aramaic sections may address matters of universal concern (God's sovereignty over world empires), while the Hebrew sections focus more specifically on the Jewish people's future. The transition point in Daniel 2:4 is marked precisely by the note that the wise men spoke "in Aramaic."
Aramaic in the Biblical World
Beyond Daniel, Aramaic appears throughout the biblical narrative. It was the everyday spoken language of Jews in Palestine by the time of Jesus. Aramaic words and phrases appear in the New Testament, including Jesus' cry from the cross, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani" (Mark 15:34), and His word to the dead girl, "Talitha cumi" (Mark 5:41). Understanding the role of Aramaic helps readers appreciate the multilingual world in which the Bible was written and lived.
Biblical Context
The term 'Syriac/Syrian' referring to Aramaic appears in Daniel 2:4, marking the transition from Hebrew to Aramaic text. This bilingual feature is shared with Ezra, which also contains Aramaic sections (Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26). The designation reflects the ancient practice of calling Aramaic 'the Syrian tongue,' a usage that persisted in Bible translations for centuries.
Theological Significance
The use of Aramaic in Daniel is theologically purposeful. The Aramaic sections deal with God's sovereignty over all nations and world empires — themes with universal rather than specifically Israelite scope. By writing in the international language of his day, the author communicated that God's dominion extends over every kingdom and tongue. The bilingual structure of Daniel itself becomes a testimony to God's universal reign.
Historical Background
Aramaic originated among the Aramean peoples of upper Mesopotamia and Syria. By the 8th century BC, it had become the lingua franca of the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian empires. Aramaic inscriptions, letters, and legal documents from this period have been found across the ancient Near East, from Egypt to Afghanistan. The language eventually displaced Hebrew as the everyday tongue of the Jewish people, a transition that was well underway during the exile and completed by the Second Temple period.