Original Word: לָא
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: la'
Pronunciation: lah
Phonetic Spelling: (law)
KJV: or even, neither, no(-ne, -r), ((can-))not, as nothing, without
NASB: no, without, nor, neither, nothing
Word Origin: [corresponding to H3808 (לוֹא לוֹה - no)]

1. (the simple or absolute negation) not
2. (by implication) no

or even, neither, none cannot, as nothing, without

(Aramaic) or lah (Aramaic) (Dan. 4:32) {law}; corresponding to lo' -- or even, neither, no(-ne, -r), ((can-))not, as nothing, without.

see HEBREW lo'

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to lo
Definition
not
NASB Translation
disregarded* (1), ignorant* (1), neither (1), never* (1), no (8), no* (6), none* (1), nor (3), nothing (1), nothing* (1), without (5).

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Genesis 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke^{217, 219, 241} S-C^{Pap. C 6, 7} +; lâinnî, however Soc^{Arab. Dial.} see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Genesis 32:28; Genesis 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1 after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):

a. except Daniel 2:11; Daniel 3:28; Daniel 6:6; Daniel 6:8.

b. but (German sondern) Daniel 2:30.

2 without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

Overview

The negative particle represented by Strong’s Hebrew 3809 appears about eighty-two times in the Old Testament and is found exclusively in the Aramaic passages of Ezra 4–7, Daniel 2–7, and the single Aramaic verse Jeremiah 10:11. Its function is always to deny, negate, or prohibit. By observing its inspired usage, several theological and pastoral themes emerge.

Canonical Concentration

• Daniel: approximately forty-four occurrences
• Ezra: approximately thirty-seven occurrences
• Jeremiah: one occurrence (10:11)

Representative Occurrences

Daniel 2:44 – “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.”

Daniel 3:18 – “we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

Daniel 7:14 – “His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away.”

Ezra 4:13 – “they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll.”

Ezra 6:7 – “Leave the work on this house of God alone.”

Ezra 7:24 – “you have no authority to impose tribute, tax, or duty on any priest…”

Jeremiah 10:11 – “The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth.”

Thematic Categories of Usage

1. Human Inability and Divine Sufficiency

The courts of Babylon confess their limits: “There is no one on earth who can declare the king’s matter” (Daniel 2:10–11). The negative heightens the contrast with the God who “reveals deep and hidden things” (2:22). In ministry it underscores that spiritual insight is not sourced in human wisdom.

2. Prohibitive Decrees and Civil Authority

Royal edicts often hinge on the particle. Nebuchadnezzar threatens, “whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be thrown into the blazing furnace” (Daniel 3:6). Persian officials warn Artaxerxes that Jerusalem “will not pay tribute” if rebuilt (Ezra 4:13). Conversely, Darius commands, “Do not interfere with the work on this house of God” (Ezra 6:7). Scripture shows that earthly authority may forbid or allow, yet remains subordinate to the purposes of God.

3. Promise of Divine Permanence

Key messianic texts employ the word to guarantee what can never happen. “His dominion … will not pass away” (Daniel 7:14) and “the kingdom … will never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44). The negative particle becomes the scriptural vehicle for assuring the irrevocability of the coming reign of Christ.

4. Righteous Resolve

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego declare, “we will not serve your gods” (Daniel 3:18). Daniel’s accusers “could find no corruption in him” (6:4). The particle frames moral absolutes and inspires steadfast discipleship amid hostile cultures.

5. Judicial Protection of Worship

Ezra’s Aramaic documents preserve imperial concessions safeguarding temple ministry: “you have no authority to impose tribute” on those who serve in the house of God (Ezra 7:24). The negative here upholds the freedom of worship and the resourcing of ministry.

6. Polemic against Idolatry

Jeremiah 10:11 stands as a lone Aramaic sentence within a Hebrew prophecy: “The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish.” The denial of creative power invalidates every rival deity and reinforces monotheism.

Historical Setting

The exilic and post-exilic communities operated under empires where Aramaic functioned as the diplomatic lingua franca. The Spirit-guided inclusion of Aramaic correspondence and court narratives, complete with this negative particle, authenticates the historical records and demonstrates Scripture’s engagement with real political contexts.

Doctrinal and Christological Significance

• Immutability of the divine kingdom (Daniel 2:44; 7:14)
• Exclusive creative sovereignty of the LORD (Jeremiah 10:11)
• Total inability of human wisdom apart from revelation (Daniel 2:10–11)

These emphases converge in the New Testament proclamation that the risen Christ possesses an “indestructible life” and a kingdom that “cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 7:16; 12:28).

Ministry Applications

1. Assurance in Preaching: God’s promises “will not fail.”
2. Moral Courage: Like the three Hebrews, believers decisively state what they will not do for conscience’s sake.
3. Apologetics: Jeremiah 10:11 offers a concise refutation of idolatry—gods who did not create cannot save.
4. Church-State Relations: Ezra’s decrees model respectful engagement with civil authority while prioritizing obedience to God.

Key Passages for Study

Daniel 2:10–11; 2:44

Daniel 3:6, 18

Daniel 6:4

Daniel 7:14

Ezra 4:13–16; 6:7; 7:24

Jeremiah 10:11

Conclusion

Though merely a small negative particle, the word behind Strong’s 3809 carries weighty theological freight. It denies human self-sufficiency, protects sacred worship, exposes false gods, and emphatically secures the everlasting dominion of the Messiah.

הֲלָ֥א הֲלָ֧א הֲלָא֩ הלא וְלָ֣א וְלָ֤א וְלָ֥א וְלָֽא־ וְלָא־ ולא ולא־ כְּלָ֣ה כלה לָ֔א לָ֣א לָ֤א לָ֥א לָ֦א לָ֧א לָ֨א לָֽא־ לָא֩ לָא־ לא לא־ hă·lā haLa hălā kə·lāh keLah kəlāh la lā lā- vela wə·lā wə·lā- wəlā wəlā-Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts