Original Word: בּוּת
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: buwth
Pronunciation: booth
Phonetic Spelling: (booth)
KJV: pass the night
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) apparent denominative from H100 (אַגמוֹן - bulrush)5]

1. to lodge over night

pass the night

(Aramaic) apparent denominative from bayith; to lodge over night -- pass the night.

see HEBREW bayith

Word Origin
see bith.

[בִּית D^{WB 52}] verb denominative (lodge,) pass the night (ᵑ7 id.); —

Pe`al Perfect3masculine singular בָּת Daniel 6:19.

בָּל see בול.

Meaning and Usage

בּוּת denotes festive diversions—music, dancing, and other forms of courtly entertainment intended to delight the senses and lighten the heart. In its sole biblical occurrence the term expresses the deliberate withholding of such pleasures.

Biblical Occurrence

Daniel 6:18: “Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him.”

Historical and Cultural Context

Ancient Near-Eastern monarchs often surrounded themselves with musicians, dancers, jesters, and concubines during evening banquets. These amusements reinforced royal prestige, celebrated victories, and soothed political anxieties. The Medo-Persian court was famous for luxurious feasts (Esther 1:3-4) and hired performers. When King Darius barred בּוּת from his chambers, he made a public break with customary opulence, signaling grief, remorse, and personal solidarity with Daniel.

Theological Significance

1. Identification with the Righteous. Darius’ refusal of pleasure parallels the practice of mourning (2 Samuel 12:16-17). His action foreshadows the Gospel truth that genuine concern for the innocent demands personal cost (John 15:13).
2. Prayer and Fasting. The omission of בּוּת accompanies fasting, illustrating a holistic posture of petition before God (Joel 1:14). The king’s unrest highlights the insufficiency of earthly diversions to quiet a conscience awakened to divine justice.
3. Sovereignty of God over Earthly Thrones. Even imperial entertainments yield to the higher authority of God’s decrees; royal power proves powerless when set against the Lord who “shuts the mouths of lions” (Daniel 6:22).

Ministry and Discipleship Applications

• Seasons of Urgent Intercession. Like Darius, believers may suspend legitimate pleasures to focus on prayer, illustrating James 4:8’s call to “draw near to God.”
• Leadership and Integrity. Spiritual leaders who are willing to forego comfort for the sake of others model Christlike servanthood (Philippians 2:4-7).
• Guarding the Heart. The narrative encourages discernment about entertainment’s place; diversions are servants, not masters (1 Corinthians 6:12).

Related Scriptural Parallels

• Psalm 137:2-4 – Refusal to sing in Babylonian captivity shows that worship and amusement are withheld in lament.
• Amos 6:4-6 – Indulgent feasting and music condemned when justice is neglected.
• Jonah 3:6-8 – The king of Nineveh enacts a nationwide fast, setting aside normal pleasures to seek mercy.
• Matthew 9:15 – Jesus links fasting with seasons of longing for God’s intervention.

Summary

בּוּת captures the idea of sensual diversion, yet its lone appearance underscores a moment when entertainment is intentionally set aside. The word therefore serves as a reminder that true relief and security are found not in earthly amusements but in humble dependence on the living God who hears prayer, vindicates the faithful, and overrules the mightiest of kings.

וּבָ֣ת ובת ū·ḇāṯ ūḇāṯ uVatInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts