Original Word: סְלִק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: cliq
Pronunciation: seh-leek
Phonetic Spelling: (sel-eek')
KJV: come (up)
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) a primitive root]

1. to ascend

come up

(Aramaic) a primitive root; to ascend -- come (up).

[סְלֵק] verb come up (Aramaic loan-word in Biblical Hebrew, q. v.); —

Pe`al Perfect3feminine singular סִלְקַת Daniel 7:20, תָ֯ (!) Daniel 7:28 (K^{§ 25 b})); 3 masculine plural סְלִ֫קוּ Daniel 2:29; Ezra 4:12; Participle feminine plural סָֽלְקָן Daniel 7:3; — come up, מִן person Ezra 4:12, מִןיַֿמָּא Daniel 7:3; absolute of horn in vision Daniel 7:8,20; figurative of thoughts Daniel 2:29.

Haph`el lift, take up: Perfect3masculine plural הַסִּ֫קוּ (as if from נסק; K^{§ 44 b})) Daniel 3:22; Infinitive לְהַנְסָקָה (K^{l. e.} Str^{§ 3 h}) Daniel 6:24 (מִן local), both with ל accusative of person

Hoph`al (W^CG225) be taken up: Perfect3masculine singular הֻסַּק Daniel 6:24 (מִן local).

Overview

The Aramaic verb סְלִק appears five times in the Old Testament, always in exilic or post-exilic literature (Ezra and Daniel). Each occurrence conveys the idea of “going up” or “coming up,” but the contexts vary from the return of God’s people to the rise of kingdoms, thoughts, and horns in apocalyptic visions. Together these uses underscore God’s sovereign governance over both redemptive history and world empires.

Occurrences and Narrative Context

• Ezra 4:12—Used of the Judean exiles who “came up” from Babylon to Jerusalem, a geographical ascent that also signals covenant restoration.
• Daniel 2:29—Describes the king’s “thoughts that came up” upon his bed before God revealed the statue-vision, showing that even private reflections rise under divine oversight.
• Daniel 7:3—“Four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another”. The verb marks the emergence of successive Gentile powers.
• Daniel 7:8—A “little horn” comes up among the ten, depicting a later ruler whose rise disrupts previous powers.
• Daniel 7:20—Refers again to that horn “that came up,” emphasizing its distinctive, defiant ascent.

Historical Setting

Ezra 4 is written during Persian rule, when returned exiles faced opposition to rebuilding Jerusalem. Daniel’s Aramaic sections (Daniel 2–7) are set in the Babylonian and early Medo-Persian periods, revealing God’s plan for Gentile dominion while Judah remains under foreign control. In both books, סְלִק accents pivotal moments: the physical return that re-establishes worship, and the political or visionary rising of empires that shape Israel’s future.

The Motif of Ascent

1. Restoration: In Ezra, ascent signals fulfillment of prophetic promises (Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 29:10). What “came up” from Babylon is not merely a population but a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
2. Revelation: In Daniel 2:29, unspoken ponderings ascend before the “Revealer of mysteries,” validating that nothing is hidden from the Lord.
3. Dominion: The beasts and horns that “come up” in Daniel 7 represent successive realms (Daniel 7:17, 23). Their ascent is temporary and subordinate to the “Ancient of Days” and the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13–14).
4. Pride and Opposition: The little horn’s arrogant rise prefigures anti-God rulers (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4). Its coming up warns of escalating rebellion before final judgment.
5. Divine Sovereignty: Each ascent—whether covenant people, mental impressions, or imperial powers—unfolds within God’s predetermined timeline (Daniel 2:21).

Prophetic and Eschatological Significance

Daniel 7 links the ascent of beasts to the consummation of God’s kingdom. The verb highlights the transition points in history that move toward the everlasting dominion granted to the saints (Daniel 7:27). The little horn’s rise foreshadows a climactic antagonist, yet his downfall is certain. Thus, סְלִק functions as a literary marker of stages leading to Messiah’s reign.

Ministry Reflections

• Encouragement in Opposition: Like the Jews who “came up” despite hostility, modern believers can persevere in rebuilding and worship, confident that opposition cannot override divine decree.
• Watchfulness: The repeated “coming up” of beasts and horns urges vigilance. World events that appear to rise suddenly are neither random nor beyond God’s plan.
• Humility before Revelation: Nebuchadnezzar’s secret thoughts arose to God; so should believers submit all inward meditations to the One who knows them fully (Psalm 139:1–4).
• Hope in Ultimate Ascent: Every earthly ascent is provisional. The final, decisive “coming” is the return of Jesus Christ, whose kingdom will never be destroyed (Daniel 7:14; Acts 1:11).

Conclusion

Across its five occurrences, סְלִק points to emergent realities—people, ideas, and powers—each under the sovereign hand of God. Whether recording the faithful ascent of returning exiles or the ominous rising of apocalyptic beasts, Scripture uses the verb to affirm that all upward movements in history ultimately serve the unfolding of God’s redemptive purposes.

סְלִ֔קוּ סְלִ֙קוּ֙ סִלְקַ֔ת סִלְקָ֣ת סָלְקָ֖ן סלקו סלקן סלקת sā·lə·qān sāləqān salKan sə·li·qū seLiku səliqū sil·qaṯ sil·qāṯ silKat silqaṯ silqāṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts