Original Word: עֲדָא
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `ada'
Pronunciation: ah-DAW
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-aw')
KJV: alter, depart, pass (away), remove, take (away)
NASB: taken away, revoked, been removed, pass away, removes
Word Origin: [corresponding to H5710 (עָדָה - To pass on)]

1. to advance, i.e. pass on or continue
2. (causatively) to remove
3. (specifically) to bedeck (i.e. bring an ornament upon)

alter, depart, pass away, remove, take away

(Aramaic) or adah (Aramaic) {ad-aw'}; corresponding to adah -- alter, depart, pass (away), remove, take (away).

see HEBREW adah

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to adah
Definition
to pass on or away
NASB Translation
been removed (1), pass away (1), removes (1), revoked (2), taken away (3).

[עֲדָה] verb pass on, away (ᵑ7 (often for Hebrew עָבַר, Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew I. עָדָה (rare, late)); —

Pe`al Perfect3feminine singular עֲדָת Daniel 3:27; Daniel 4:28; Imperfect3masculine singular יֶעְדֵּה Daniel 7:14, 3feminine singular תֶּעְדֵּה Daniel 6:9; —

1 pass on, over, with ב person Daniel 3:27.

2 pass way, of kingdom Daniel 4:28 (מִן person), Daniel 7:14; of law Daniel 6:9.

Haph`el take away (so Egyptian Aramaic S-C^{G 35}): Perfect3masculine plural הֶעְדִּיו, accusative of thing, Daniel 5:20 (מִן person), Daniel 7:12; Imperfect3masculine plural יְהַעְדּוּן Daniel 7:26; Participle מְהַעְדֵּה Daniel 2:21 remove, depose kings, of God.

Meaning and Scope

עֲדָא characterizes the act of removal, passing away, or remaining untouched. Every use occurs in the Aramaic sections of Daniel and focuses on the transience of human authority or the permanence of divine protection and decree.

Occurrences in Daniel

1. Removal of kings and kingdoms: Daniel 2:21; 4:31; 5:20; 7:12; 7:26
2. Protection that nothing is taken away: Daniel 3:27
3. Decrees that cannot be revoked: Daniel 6:8; 6:12
4. A dominion that will never pass away: Daniel 7:14

God’s Sovereignty over Earthly Thrones

Daniel 2:21 affirms that the Lord “removes kings and establishes them.” Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall (Daniel 4:31) and Belshazzar’s loss of glory (Daniel 5:20) illustrate that no throne is secure apart from the will of God. Daniel 7:12 and 7:26 extend the theme to the succession of empires: even the most terrifying beastly powers must surrender dominion at God’s appointed time.

Human Decrees versus Divine Authority

In Daniel 6, Persian law is portrayed as unchangeable once signed, “so that it cannot be revoked” (Daniel 6:8). Yet the narrative shows that God overrules the irrevocable. Daniel emerges unscathed from the lions’ den, proving that divine deliverance is not hindered by human legislation. Ministries today can trust that obedience to God outweighs the fixity of cultural or governmental mandates.

The Invulnerability of the Faithful

Daniel 3:27 records that the faithful exiles left the furnace with robes “unaffected.” What God has chosen to preserve cannot be diminished. The church finds encouragement here: outward pressures cannot take away what the Lord guards (John 10:28).

Eschatological Contrast: Passing Dominion versus Everlasting Dominion

Daniel 7:14 introduces the Son of Man, whose kingdom “will not pass away.” The verb that elsewhere marks the loss of power is deliberately negated. The passage assures believers that Christ’s reign is categorically different—indestructible, universal, and eternal. Christian proclamation rests on this certainty as history moves toward the consummation of that kingdom (Revelation 11:15).

Historical Context

Written during successive foreign occupations, Daniel sets the removal of earthly dominion against the backdrop of God’s covenant faithfulness. Each imperial transition—Babylonian, Median, Persian—confirms prophetic promises (Isaiah 40:23). The word עֲדָא therefore serves as a linguistic refrain underscoring the prophetic world-view: kingdoms rise and fade, but the Most High rules forever.

Ministry Implications

• Preaching: Emphasize the fleeting nature of human power and the unshakable reign of Christ.
• Pastoral Care: Encourage believers facing hostile edicts or cultural pressure; God can nullify what seems unalterable.
• Missions: Trust that geopolitical changes, even the fall of regimes, serve the advance of the gospel (Acts 17:26-27).
• Discipleship: Cultivate perseverance by focusing on the everlasting kingdom rather than present uncertainties (Hebrews 12:28).

Summary

עֲדָא in Daniel highlights the passing or preservation of authority, demonstrating divine sovereignty, protection of the faithful, and the ultimate, unremovable dominion of the Messiah.

הֶעְדִּ֖יו הֶעְדִּ֥יוּ העדיו יְהַעְדּ֔וֹן יֶעְדֵּ֔ה יהעדון יעדה מְהַעְדֵּ֥ה מהעדה עֲדָ֖ת עֲדָ֥ת עדת תֶעְדֵּֽא׃ תעדא׃ ‘ă·ḏāṯ ‘ăḏāṯ aDat he‘·di·yū he‘·dîw he‘dîw he‘diyū heDiv heDiyu mə·ha‘·dêh məha‘dêh mehaDeh ṯe‘·dê ṯe‘dê teDe ye‘·dêh ye‘dêh yə·ha‘·dō·wn yeDeh yəha‘dōwn yehaDonInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts