Lexical Summary da: Knowledge, understanding Original Word: דָּא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance one (Aramaic) corresponding to zeh; this -- one..another, this. see HEBREW zeh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to zeh Definition this NASB Translation one another (1), this (2), together (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs דָּא demonstrative pronoun feminine this (= Biblical Hebrew זֹה: Zinjirli Têma, Cappadocian, Egyptian Aramaic זא, Nabataean דא, Palmyrene דה (Lzb264: Eph. i. 323 Cooke26), ᵑ7 דא: see further below Biblical Hebrew זֶה. The corresponding masculine is דְּנָה); — this, Daniel 4:27 הֲלָא דָיא בַּבֶל רַבְּתָא, Daniel 5:6 דָּא לְדָא נָ֧קְשָׁן one striking against another, similarly Daniel 7:3 (compare זֶה 1b), Daniel 7:8 בְקַרְנָאדָֿא. Topical Lexicon Linguistic and Canonical Setting דָּא is an emphatic demonstrative pronoun in the Aramaic portions of Daniel (Daniel 2–7). Its nuanced force—“this,” “these,” or “such”—marks out what the inspired author wishes to spotlight, often contrasting human pretension with divine reality. Occurrences in Daniel • Daniel 4:30: “Is not this the great Babylon I have built by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Historical Context Daniel 4–5 records the decline of Babylonian kings. Nebuchadnezzar boasts in “this” Babylon (Daniel 4:30) before divine judgment sends him into seven years of humbling. A generation later Belshazzar, drunk with pride, trembles as “this” mysterious hand inscribes his doom (Daniel 5:6). Chapter 7 shifts to the Medo-Persian era, where Daniel beholds four beasts; “this” final horn epitomizes arrogant human power that God will ultimately overthrow. Thematic Significance 1. Human Pride vs. Divine Sovereignty. Every use of דָּא in Daniel highlights a visible object—city, hand, beast, horn—through which God exposes the folly of self-exaltation (Proverbs 16:18). Ministry Applications • Call to Humility: Like Nebuchadnezzar, believers must recognize that every “this” achievement is a stewardship from God (James 1:17). Christological Insight The demonstrative in Daniel 7 funnels attention toward the climactic appearance of “One like a Son of Man” (Daniel 7:13), fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:64). “This” horn’s arrogance contrasts with “this” Son’s humility, underscoring the Gospel pattern: suffering precedes glory (Philippians 2:5-11). See Also Genesis 11:4; Psalm 2:2-6; Isaiah 14:13-15; Acts 17:26-31. Forms and Transliterations דָ֔א דָּ֥א דָּֽא׃ דָא־ דא דא־ דא׃ לְדָ֖א לדא da dā ḏā ḏā- lə·ḏā leDa ləḏāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 4:30 HEB: וְאָמַ֔ר הֲלָ֥א דָא־ הִ֖יא בָּבֶ֣ל NAS: and said, 'Is this not Babylon INT: and said is not is this not Babylon Daniel 5:6 Daniel 5:6 Daniel 7:3 Daniel 7:3 Daniel 7:8 6 Occurrences |