כְּרַז

כְּרַז

to proclaim

Definition

The Aramaic verb כְּרַז (kᵉraz) means 'to proclaim' or 'to announce publicly,' specifically in the context of an official, authoritative declaration. In its sole biblical occurrence in Daniel 5:29, it refers to the act of issuing a formal royal decree. The word carries a sense of urgency and officialdom, implying the proclamation is made by someone in power and is intended for a wide audience. While it appears only once, its meaning is clear from the immediate context of a king's command.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. It is used in the specific context of a royal decree. In Daniel 5:29, King Belshazzar commands that Daniel be clothed in purple and given a chain of gold, and 'then commanded' (וְכָרְזָה, a form of כְּרַז) that Daniel be proclaimed the third ruler in the kingdom. The usage is strictly for an official, public announcement from a position of authority.

Etymology

The word כְּרַז is of Aramaic origin, not classical Hebrew, and is used in the Aramaic sections of the Old Testament. Scholars suggest it is likely a loanword from Greek, derived from κηρύσσω (kērussō), which also means 'to proclaim' or 'to herald.' This reflects the Hellenistic cultural influence present during the time of the Babylonian and Persian empires when the book of Daniel was set and written.

Semantic Range

While used only once, this word highlights the theme of God's sovereignty over human kingdoms. The proclamation in Daniel 5:29 follows Daniel's interpretation of the writing on the wall, a direct judgment from God. The king's urgent decree to honor Daniel is an immediate, public acknowledgment of God's revealed truth and Daniel's role as His messenger. It underscores that even pagan rulers are instruments in fulfilling God's purposes, and their proclamations can serve to validate God's servants and messages. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a royal proclamation (כְּרַז) was a formal, public announcement with the full weight of the king's authority behind it. It was not a suggestion but a binding command. The use of a likely Greek-derived word in an Aramaic text set in Babylon reflects the interconnected, cosmopolitan nature of the empires following Alexander the Great's conquests, where Greek language and administrative practices were becoming influential. קָרָא (qārā', H7121) — A more common Hebrew verb meaning 'to call' or 'to proclaim,' used in a wider range of contexts, including God's call to individuals. שָׁמַע (shāma', H8085) in the Hiphil stem — means 'to cause to hear' or 'to announce,' but lacks the specific connotation of an official royal decree.

Word Details