Original Word: לִשָּׂן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: lishshan
Pronunciation: lish-SHAWN
Phonetic Spelling: (lish-shawn')
KJV: language
NASB: language, tongue
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H3956 (לָשׁוֹן לָשׁוֹן לְשׁוֹנָה - tongue)]

1. speech, i.e. a nation

language

(Aramaic) corresponding to lashown; speech, i.e. A nation -- language.

see HEBREW lashown

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to lashon
Definition
tongue
NASB Translation
language (6), tongue (1).

Summary of Usage

לִשָּׁן functions in Scripture as a collective term for “language” or “tongue,” appearing seven times, all in the Aramaic sections of the Book of Daniel. Its placement within narratives that highlight imperial proclamations and divine sovereignty underscores God’s concern for all ethnicities and speech-groups.

Occurrences in Daniel

• Daniel 3:4 – Heralds summon “peoples and nations of every language” to Nebuchadnezzar’s idolatrous ceremony.
• Daniel 3:7 – The same multilingual assembly bows to the image, showing political pressure on conscience.
• Daniel 3:29 – After witnessing deliverance from the furnace, the king forbids blasphemy “against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” for any “people or nation or language.”
• Daniel 4:1 – Nebuchadnezzar’s autobiographical decree opens, “To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: May your peace abound!”
• Daniel 5:19 – Recounting Nebuchadnezzar’s authority, Daniel notes that “all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him.”
• Daniel 6:25 – Darius likewise writes “to all peoples and nations of every language who dwell on all the earth,” announcing reverence for Daniel’s God.
• Daniel 7:14 – The climactic vision bestows on the Son of Man “dominion, glory, and kingship, that the peoples and nations of every language should serve Him.”

Historical Context

The phrase “peoples, nations, and languages” reflects the multiethnic composition of the Neo-Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires. Royal edicts were typically issued in multiple languages to reach diverse subjects. The repetition of לִשָּׁן in Daniel parallels historical records of polyglot proclamations inscribed on steles and cylinders, lending authenticity to Daniel’s setting.

Theological Significance

1. Universality of Divine Rule: From earthly kings (Daniel 3, 5, 6) to the eschatological Son of Man (Daniel 7:14), authority extends over every language group, affirming God’s comprehensive sovereignty.
2. Evangelistic Trajectory: Nebuchadnezzar and Darius testify to the Most High before multilingual audiences, prefiguring the worldwide proclamation of the gospel.
3. Eschatological Fulfillment: Daniel 7:14 anticipates the scene in Revelation 7:9 where “a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language” worships the Lamb, demonstrating Scripture’s internal consistency.

Missional and Ministry Applications

• Cross-Cultural Communication: לִשָּׁן underscores the biblical mandate to communicate God’s truth in the heart languages of all peoples.
• Public Witness Under Pressure: The narratives show how steadfast faith can transform imperial messaging from idolatry to praise of the true God.
• Prayer for Authorities: Daniel’s respect for pagan rulers who speak to “every language” encourages intercession that government decrees would promote godliness.

Canonical and Redemptive Significance

The movement from imperial decrees to the universal dominion of the Son of Man charts salvation history from Babylon to the ultimate kingdom of Christ. לִשָּׁן thus anchors the missionary heartbeat of Scripture: what began at Babel’s confusion is resolved in the multilingual worship of the eternal kingdom.

וְלִשָּׁ֗ן וְלִשָּׁ֣נַיָּ֔א וְלִשָּׁנַיָּ֖א וְלִשָּׁנַיָּ֗א וְלִשָּׁנַיָּ֛א וְלִשָּׁנַיָּֽא׃ ולשן ולשניא ולשניא׃ velishShan velishshanaiYa wə·liš·šā·nay·yā wə·liš·šān wəliššān wəliššānayyāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts