Lexical Summary ari: Lion Original Word: אַרְעִית Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bottom (Aramaic) feminine of ara'; the bottom -- bottom. see HEBREW ara' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from ara Definition the bottom NASB Translation bottom (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אַרְעִי] noun feminine denominative bottom (so ᵑ7; compare also ᵑ7 אַרְעָאָה lower); — construct אַרְעַית Daniel 6:25. Topical Lexicon Canonical Setting In Daniel 6:24 the term denotes the “bottom” of the lions’ den into which Daniel’s accusers were hurled. This is its only appearance in Scripture, found within the Aramaic narrative of Daniel that chronicles God’s preservation of His faithful servant and the swift judgment of the wicked. Narrative Function “Before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones” (Daniel 6:24). The word draws a stark contrast: Daniel had spent the entire night at the place of greatest danger, yet emerged unscathed (6:22-23); his opponents never reached that same spot before divine retribution fell. The detail heightens the drama, proving that God’s control extends to the floor of the pit itself. Theological Themes 1. Vindication of the Righteous – Echoing Psalm 7:15-16 and Proverbs 26:27, the accusers fall into the calamity they intended for another. Historical Background Royal Persian practice included execution by wild beasts. Lion pits excavated in Mesopotamian sites reveal deep shafts with stone floors. Mentioning the “bottom” reinforces the authenticity of the account and the terror such punishments evoked. Ministry Significance • Assurance under Persecution – Faithfulness amid hostile decree (Daniel 6:10) is upheld and rewarded. Christological Echoes Daniel’s rescue anticipates Jesus’ triumph over the grave; the destruction of the schemers prefigures the ultimate defeat of Satan and evil (Hebrews 2:14). Homiletical Aids Sermon Title: “Before They Touched the Bottom.” Outline: 1. Plotting the Pit (6:1-9) Summary The single occurrence of Strong’s 773 fixes our gaze on the very floor of judgment’s arena, showcasing the Lord’s power to preserve the faithful and to fell the wicked with unerring speed. The bottom of the pit, unreachable to evildoers and harmless to God’s servant, proclaims that no depth lies outside His sovereign hand. Forms and Transliterations לְאַרְעִ֣ית לארעית lə’ar‘îṯ lə·’ar·‘îṯ learItLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 6:24 HEB: וְלָֽא־ מְט֞וֹ לְאַרְעִ֣ית גֻּבָּ֗א עַ֠ד NAS: and they had not reached the bottom of the den KJV: they came at the bottom of the den. INT: ever reached the bottom of the den until 1 Occurrence |