Original Word: דְּחַל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: dchal
Pronunciation: deh-khal'
Phonetic Spelling: (deh-khal')
Definition: To fear, to be afraid, to revere
Meaning: to slink, to fear, be formidable

make afraid, dreadful, fear, terrible

(Aramaic) corresponding to zachal; to slink, i.e. (by implication) to fear, or (causatively) be formidable -- make afraid, dreadful, fear, terrible.

see HEBREW zachal

Word Origin
(Aramaic) a prim. root
Definition
to fear
NASB Translation
awesome (1), dreadful (2), fear (1), feared (1), made me fearful (1).

[דְּחַל] verb fear (so ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew II. זָחַל]; —

Pe`al Participle active plural דָּֽחְלִין Daniel 5:19, with מִןקֳֿדָם of king, Daniel 6:27, id. of God; passive דְּחִיל terrible Daniel 2:31, feminine דְּחִילָה Daniel 7:7,19.

Pa`el Imperfect3masculine singular suffix וִידֵחֲלִנַּנִי Daniel 4:2 the dream made me afraid.

Word Origin: Aramaic root corresponding to the Hebrew דָּחַל (dachal)

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G2125 (εὐλαβέομαι, eulabeomai): To act cautiously, to reverence, to fear.
• G5398 (φοβερός, phoberos): Fearful, formidable, terrible.
• G5399 (φοβέω, phobeo): To put to flight by terrifying (to scare away), to fear, to be afraid.
• G5401 (φόβος, phobos): Fear, dread, terror; reverence, respect.

These Greek terms reflect similar nuances of fear and reverence found in the Aramaic דְּחַל, highlighting the continuity of these themes across the biblical texts.

Usage: This Aramaic verb is used in the context of fear or reverence, often implying a sense of awe or dread. It appears in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Daniel and Ezra.

Context: • The term דְּחַל (dechal) is primarily found in the Aramaic sections of the Old Testament, where it conveys the idea of fear or reverence. It is used to describe both the fear of God and the fear of men or circumstances. The word suggests a profound respect or awe, often associated with the divine or with powerful rulers.
• In the book of Daniel, דְּחַל is used to describe the fear experienced by those who encounter divine or kingly authority. For example, in Daniel 6:26 (BSB), King Darius issues a decree that "in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel."
• The usage of דְּחַל in Ezra reflects a similar theme, where the fear of God or the fear of authority plays a crucial role in the narrative. This term underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting power, whether divine or human.
• The concept of fear in the biblical sense often encompasses both terror and reverence, indicating a complex emotional response that includes respect, awe, and sometimes dread.

דְּחִֽיל׃ דְּחִילָ֣ה דְּחִילָה֩ דחיל׃ דחילה וְדָ֣חֲלִ֔ין וְדָחֲלִ֖ין וִֽידַחֲלִנַּ֑נִי ודחלין וידחלנני də·ḥî·lāh də·ḥîl deChil dechiLah dəḥîl dəḥîlāh vedachaLin vidachalinNani wə·ḏā·ḥă·lîn wəḏāḥălîn wî·ḏa·ḥă·lin·na·nî wîḏaḥălinnanîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts