Original Word: אַל
Part of Speech: adverb
Transliteration: al
Pronunciation: al
Phonetic Spelling: (al)
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H408 (אַל - no)]

1. not

not

(Aramaic) corresponding to 'al -- not.

see HEBREW 'al

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to al
Definition
not.

אַל adverb of prohibition, do not . . ., let not . . ., followed by imperfect ( = Biblical Hebrew I. אַל; Zenjirli אל (Had^{22. 23. 29}) Cooke^160f.; compare Pahlavi (Nö^{GGA, 1884, 1016}); not ᵑ7 Syriac); — Daniel 2:24 אַלֹתְּֿהוֺבֵד, Daniel 4:16; Daniel 5:10.

Word Overview

אַל (ʾal, Strong’s Hebrew 409) functions as a prohibitive particle in Biblical Aramaic, equivalent to the English “do not” or “let not.” Although brief, the term supplies the force of urgent negation, communicating both restraint and pastoral concern.

Occurrences in Daniel

• Daniel 2:24 – Daniel intercedes with Arioch: “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will give him the interpretation.” The prohibition preserves life, foreshadowing divine mercy extended through revelation.
• Daniel 4:19 – Nebuchadnezzar urges Daniel: “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” The king’s ban on fear highlights the tension between human apprehension and prophetic truth.
• Daniel 5:10 (twice) – The queen counsels Belshazzar: “Do not let your thoughts terrify you, or your face grow pale.” Here the double use intensifies her attempt to calm royal panic in the face of divine judgment.

Historical Background

These occurrences appear in the Aramaic sections of Daniel (2:4–7:28), a setting that reflects Judah’s exile under Babylonian and Medo-Persian rule. Aramaic had become the lingua franca of the Near East, so the Spirit-inspired choice of vocabulary reached both Jewish exiles and Gentile courts. In each text אַל conveys an immediate prohibition set within royal dialogue, illustrating how covenant truth confronts imperial power.

Literary and Theological Significance

1. Preservation of Life and Wisdom (Daniel 2:24) – The negative command halts impending slaughter, portraying the protection God grants through faithful intercessors.
2. Courage before Revelation (Daniel 4:19) – Nebuchadnezzar’s “do not” cannot silence Daniel’s holy fear; instead the scene underscores that genuine prophecy may disturb both messenger and monarch.
3. False Security versus True Repentance (Daniel 5:10) – The queen’s soothing words cannot avert judgment because Belshazzar’s pride remains unbroken. The prohibition against fear contrasts with the handwriting on the wall that demands contrition, not mere calm.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Pastoral Intervention – Like Daniel, believers are called to step into crises, issuing godly prohibitions that protect life and open doors for gospel explanation.
• Counseling the Fearful – The stress on “do not fear” anticipates New Testament exhortations (see John 14:1). Ministers must move saints from anxiety to faith while grounding comfort in prophetic certainty.
• Discernment in Leadership – Not every “do not worry” is righteous. The queen’s well-intentioned counsel lacked repentance. Spiritual leaders should ensure that their prohibitions align with divine revelation, not with denial of sin.

Christological and Eschatological Connections

Daniel’s use of אַל within royal courts prefigures Jesus Christ, who issues ultimate prohibitions against fear for those trusting Him (Matthew 10:28). Yet He also warns unrepentant powers of coming judgment (Matthew 23:37-39). Likewise, Revelation echoes Daniel’s pattern: encouragement to the faithful (Revelation 1:17, “Do not be afraid”) alongside warnings to the proud (Revelation 18:4).

Related Biblical Themes

• Fear versus Faith – Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 14:27.
• Prophetic Mercy – Ezekiel 18:32; 2 Peter 3:9.
• Divine Judgment on Pride – Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6.

Thus, אַל, though a small particle, carries weighty theological freight: it calls for immediate obedience, offers compassionate restraint, and frames the moral choices that determine life or death under God’s sovereign rule.

אַֽל־ אַל־ אל־ ’al- alInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts