תְּוַהּ

תְּוַהּ

to amaze, i.e. (reflex. by implication) take alarm

Definition

The Aramaic verb תְּוַהּ (tᵉvahh) means to be astonished, amazed, or to take alarm. It describes a state of profound shock or bewilderment, often in response to a supernatural or inexplicable event. In its single biblical occurrence, it conveys the reaction of King Nebuchadnezzar to the miraculous survival of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:24). The term implies not just surprise but a sense of alarm or awe at a divine intervention that defies natural explanation.

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 3:24, where King Nebuchadnezzar reacts with astonishment and alarm upon seeing that the three Hebrew men are unharmed in the blazing furnace, accompanied by a fourth, divine figure. The context is a dramatic narrative of divine deliverance, where the word captures the king's sudden, overwhelming shift from confident cruelty to terrified wonder.

Etymology

תְּוַהּ is an Aramaic verb corresponding to the Hebrew verb תָּמַהּ (tāmah, H8539), which also means 'to be astounded or amazed.' Some scholars suggest a possible connection through the idea of 'sweeping to ruin' to the Hebrew שָׁאָה (shā'â, H7582), meaning 'to rush' or 'to crash.' This etymological link highlights how astonishment can arise from a sudden, overwhelming event that shatters expectations.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it marks a pivotal moment of divine revelation to a pagan monarch. Nebuchadnezzar's astonishment (תְּוַהּ) directly precedes his acknowledgment of the God of Israel as the 'Most High God' (Daniel 3:26). It illustrates how God uses miraculous intervention to provoke awe and recognition of His supreme power, turning a scene of persecution into a testimony of salvation. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Daniel by emphasizing the emotional and spiritual impact of God's visible acts in human history. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a king's public astonishment or alarm was a significant event, as monarchs were expected to project unshakable control and divine authority. Nebuchadnezzar's reaction subverts this expectation, showing that even the most powerful human ruler is overwhelmed by the true God. The word reflects a cultural understanding of amazement as not merely curiosity but a destabilizing encounter with a higher power that demands a response. תָּמַהּ (tāmah, H8539) — The direct Hebrew equivalent, meaning to be astounded or amazed, used more frequently in Biblical Hebrew. שָׁמֵם (shāmēm, H8074) — To be desolated or appalled, often with a sense of horror or devastation. פָּלָא (pālā', H6381) — To be marvelous or wonderful, focusing on the extraordinary nature of an act, often divine.

Word Details