Lexical Summary ella: Oak, terebinth Original Word: עֵלָּא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance over (Aramaic) from al; above -- over. see HEBREW al NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from al Definition above NASB Translation over (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֵ֫לָּא adverb above (from noun עֵל, with א#NAME?§ 44. l n.; Nabataean, Egyptian Aramaic, id., Lzb341 S-CA 5+; ᵑ7 עֵיל, עֵילָא; Syriac Topical Lexicon Context and Narrative Setting The word עֵלָּא appears once in the Old Testament, in Daniel 6:2, within the Aramaic section of Daniel. It designates the office held by Daniel and two colleagues whom Darius placed “over them three administrators, including Daniel” (Daniel 6:2). The term thus identifies a high-ranking overseer set above the satraps of the Medo-Persian Empire, entrusted with protecting the king’s interests. Historical Background After Babylon’s fall (Daniel 5:30-31), Darius reorganized the empire to secure revenue and order. Persian kings commonly employed a three-tiered hierarchy: the monarch, senior administrators, and provincial governors. The office denoted by עֵלָּא corresponds to those senior administrators. Contemporary Persian records call similar officials “protectors of the realm,” confirming the biblical portrayal of Daniel as a trusted guardian of state assets and justice. Administrative Function and Responsibilities 1. Fiscal oversight: “so that the king would not suffer loss” (Daniel 6:2). Biblical Theology of Excellence and Oversight • Divine promotion: Daniel’s elevation echoes Joseph’s rise in Genesis 41:39-41, illustrating that “it is God who judges; He brings one down, He exalts another” (Psalm 75:7). Christological Foreshadowing Daniel, an exile exalted to protect a kingdom, anticipates Christ, the righteous Exile who, after humiliation, is enthroned “far above all rule and authority” (Ephesians 1:21). The jealousy of peers, the plot against his life, and miraculous deliverance (Daniel 6:16-23) prefigure the injustice, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Practical Ministry Applications • Integrity in the workplace: Daniel’s irreproachable administration encourages believers to “do it wholeheartedly, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23). Related Scriptures Genesis 41:39-41; Esther 10:2-3; Proverbs 16:7; Proverbs 22:29; Romans 13:3-4; Colossians 3:22-24; 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Legacy for the People of God The lone occurrence of עֵלָּא captures a timeless truth: God positions His servants in strategic authority to bless nations, display righteousness, and point forward to the ultimate reign of Christ. Forms and Transliterations וְעֵ֤לָּא ועלא veElla wə‘êllā wə·‘êl·lāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 6:2 HEB: וְעֵ֤לָּא מִנְּהוֹן֙ סָרְכִ֣ין NAS: and over them three commissioners KJV: And over these three INT: and over these commissioners 1 Occurrence |