Lexical Summary qetar: Incense, smoke, sacrifice Original Word: קְטַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance doubt, joint (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to qatar; a knot (as tied up), i.e. (figuratively) a riddle; also a vertebra (as if a knot) -- doubt, joint. see HEBREW qatar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to qatar Definition a joint, knot NASB Translation difficult problems (2), joints (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [קְטַר] noun masculineDaniel 5:6 joint, knot; — literal plural construct קִטְרֵי Daniel 5:6 joints of his loin; figurative absolute קִטְרִין Daniel 5:12; Daniel 5:16, usually knotty things, difficulties (Syriac PS3591); but probably of magic spells, banns (also Syriac PSl.c., compare Brock319b), so Bev, see also Dr. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Semantic Range קְטַר (qetar) is an Aramaic noun whose concrete sense is a “knot” or “joint.” Figuratively it denotes anything knotted-up, perplexing, or tightly bound, whether in a person’s body (the hip-joint in Daniel 5:6) or in the realm of thought (enigmas, riddles, or difficult questions in Daniel 5:12, 16). The idea of something tied hard together lies beneath each use: literal joints that “lock,” and mental problems that must be “untied.” Occurrences in Daniel 1. Daniel 5:6—Belshazzar’s terror at the handwriting on the wall manifests physically: “his hips gave way and his knees knocked together”. The king’s “joints” turn to water, graphically portraying the unraveling of his pride. Historical and Cultural Setting Babylonian sages prided themselves on untying enigmatic sayings. Belshazzar’s court had a professional class of diviners, astrologers, and dream interpreters whose skills were supposed to keep the empire secure. When the mysterious writing appeared, their failure exposed the bankruptcy of human wisdom. Into that vacuum stepped Daniel, a Jewish exile whose God had already proven supreme over Babylonian knowledge (Daniel 1:17-20; 2:27-28). In a single night the living God judged Babylon, vindicating His sovereignty over both physical joints that tremble and mental knots that confound. Spiritual and Theological Significance 1. Human frailty under divine judgment—Belshazzar’s dislocated “joints” dramatize how the strongest human powers collapse when confronted by God’s holiness (compare Psalm 2:1-5). New Testament Echoes and Continuity The motif of spiritual “knots” resolved by God recurs when Jesus silences those who test Him with hard questions (Matthew 22:34-46). Paul likewise points to “the wisdom of God in a mystery” (1 Corinthians 2:7), revealed in Christ and inaccessible to merely human reasoning, paralleling Daniel’s God-given ability to untie mysteries before pagan rulers. Ministry Applications • Pastoral Care: Belshazzar’s shaking joints warn that unrepented sin eventually produces overwhelming fear. Call hearers to maintain tender consciences through continual repentance (Hebrews 10:26-31). Homiletic and Devotional Reflections Belshazzar’s locked joints remind us that security rests not in earthly fortifications but in right standing with God. Daniel’s deft untying of Babylon’s riddles points forward to Jesus Christ, the greater Revealer, who alone can loose the knot of human sin. Whether the issue is a trembling body or a perplexed mind, the answer remains the same: “The LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). Forms and Transliterations וְקִטְרִ֣ין וְקִטְרֵ֤י וקטרי וקטרין קִטְרִ֗ין קטרין kitRin qiṭ·rîn qiṭrîn vekitRei vekitRin wə·qiṭ·rê wə·qiṭ·rîn wəqiṭrê wəqiṭrînLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 5:6 HEB: וְרַעיֹנֹ֖הִי יְבַהֲלוּנֵּ֑הּ וְקִטְרֵ֤י חַרְצֵהּ֙ מִשְׁתָּרַ֔יִן NAS: him, and his hip joints went slack KJV: troubled him, so that the joints of his loins INT: and his thoughts alarmed joints and his hip went Daniel 5:12 Daniel 5:16 3 Occurrences |