Original Word: מַעְבָד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ma`bad
Pronunciation: mah-ah-bahd
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-bawd')
KJV: work
NASB: works
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H4566 (מַעבָּד - works)]

1. an act

work

(Aramaic) corresponding to ma'bad; an act -- work.

see HEBREW ma'bad

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to mabad
Definition
a work
NASB Translation
works (1).

[מַעֲבַד K^{§ 60, 3) b})] noun [masculine] work (Biblical Hebrew [מַעְבָּד] Job 34:25; ᵑ7^ib.; Syriac of magic works); — plural suffix מַעֲבָדוֺ֫הִי Daniel 4:34 (suffix of God).

The Setting in Daniel

Daniel 4:37 records the lone occurrence of מַעְבָד. It appears in Nebuchadnezzar’s doxology after his humbling and restoration: “all His works are true and His ways are just” (Daniel 4:37). Spoken by a Gentile king, the word highlights the universal reach of God’s sovereignty over every throne and culture.

Theological Emphasis on Divine “Works”

1. Truthfulness – Nebuchadnezzar links God’s works with truth, affirming that every act of the Most High flows from an unchanging character (cf. Deuteronomy 32:4).
2. Justice – The king pairs God’s works with “ways” that are “just,” echoing Israel’s worship vocabulary (Psalm 145:17).
3. Humbling the Proud – The verse concludes, “He is able to humble those who walk in pride,” showing that God’s works include disciplinary mercy designed to bring sinners to repentance.

Historical Context and Narrative Function

In Babylonian culture, royal inscriptions celebrated human accomplishments. Daniel intentionally replaces the focus on imperial exploits with divine works, demonstrating a polemic: the Most High rules kingdoms and kings are subject to Him (Daniel 4:17). מַעְבָד thus punctuates a personal testimony embedded in imperial annals, turning a royal proclamation into Scripture that magnifies God’s deeds.

Relationship to Other Biblical Vocabulary

Though rare, מַעְבָד stands alongside other Hebrew–Aramaic terms for God’s deeds:

• פָּעַל (Psalm 111:3) – stresses craftsmanship.
• מַעֲשֶׂה (Genesis 2:2) – general term for work, often used of creation.
• גְּבוּרָה (Psalm 145:4) – mighty acts, highlighting power.

Together they build a panorama of God’s activity from creation to redemption.

Ministry Implications

• Praise: The verse teaches worshipers to anchor doxology in the character and record of God’s observable actions.
• Humility: Leaders, whether in church, government, or family, must heed the warning that pride invokes divine opposition.
• Assurance: Believers facing oppressive powers can rest in the certainty that God’s works prevail over human empires.

Related Scripture for Personal Study

Deuteronomy 3:24; Deuteronomy 32:4

Psalm 40:5; Psalm 92:5; Psalm 111:2–3; Psalm 145:4–7, 17

Acts 2:11; Revelation 15:3–4

These passages broaden the theme introduced by מַעְבָד, inviting contemplation of the breadth, depth, and faithfulness of the works of God.

מַעֲבָד֙וֹהִי֙ מעבדוהי ma‘ăḇāḏōwhî ma·‘ă·ḇā·ḏō·w·hî maavaDohiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts