גִּיר

גִּיר

lime

Definition

גִּיר (gîyr) refers to a specific type of plaster or lime, a white, powdery substance made by burning limestone. In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes the material of a palace wall (Daniel 5:5). This plaster would have been used to create a smooth, white writing surface, making the supernatural inscription starkly visible. The word denotes a prepared, processed material, distinct from raw stone or mud plaster.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. It appears in the dramatic context of Belshazzar's feast, specifying the material of the palace wall upon which the mysterious handwriting appears: 'the plaster of the wall' (Daniel 5:5). Its usage is purely descriptive of a construction material in a royal setting.

Etymology

גִּיר is an Aramaic word borrowed into Biblical Hebrew, corresponding to the Hebrew root גִּר (gîr, H1615), which also means 'chalk' or 'lime.' The root is associated with the concept of a white, calcareous substance. The Aramaic form is used in Daniel, reflecting the book's linguistic context.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a mundane noun, its single use in Daniel 5:5 is theologically significant. The 'plaster of the wall' becomes the divinely chosen canvas for God's judgment against King Belshazzar. The prepared, human-made surface is suddenly appropriated for a divine message, highlighting God's sovereignty to interrupt human affairs and inscribe His decree in the most visible, public place. Understanding it as a specially prepared plaster emphasizes the clarity and inescapability of God's written judgment. In ancient Near Eastern architecture, plaster (lime or gypsum) was used to coat walls, especially in important buildings like palaces and temples, to create a smooth, clean, and often white surface. This made walls more durable and aesthetically pleasing. In Daniel 5:5, the plastered wall of the royal palace signifies opulence and order, making the sudden, supernatural inscription all the more shocking and public. שִׂיד (śîyd, H7874) — The more common Hebrew word for 'lime' or 'plaster,' used in contexts of destruction (e.g., Isaiah 33:12) or purification (Deuteronomy 27:2). טִיחַ (ṭîach, H2902) — Refers to the daub or coating of plaster/mortar itself (e.g., Ezekiel 13:10-15).

Word Details