H0999 H0999
understanding, discernment, insight (Aramaic cognate of Hebrew binah)
Daniel 2:21 (Aramaic section) declares that God 'gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding (בִּינָה).' This is the Aramaic equivalent of Hebrew בִּינָה, sharing the same meaning of discernment and insight. In Daniel's context, it emphasizes that all understanding—especially of mysteries and dreams—comes from God, not human cleverness. The word appears in Daniel's blessing after God reveals Nebuchadnezzar's dream, attributing all interpretive insight to divine gift.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Daniel 2:21's 'understanding' (בִּינָה) occurs in Aramaic, part of Daniel's doxology praising God who reveals mysteries. Spanish 'entendimiento,' English 'understanding,' French 'intelligence' all capture the cognitive dimension of insight and discernment. The context—Daniel interpreting an impossible dream—shows this isn't ordinary knowledge but supernatural discernment granted by God. The Aramaic form matches Hebrew usage, emphasizing penetrating insight rather than mere factual knowledge. 1×
AR["الـ-فَهْمِ"]·ben["বুদ্ধি"]·DE["[בינה]"]·EN["understanding"]·FR["intelligence"]·heb["בינה"]·HI["समझ"]·ID["pengertian"]·IT["intelligenza"]·jav["pangertosan"]·KO["분별력의"]·PT["entendimento"]·RU["разумение"]·ES["entendimiento"]·SW["ufahamu"]·TR["anlayışı"]·urd["سمجھ"]
Related Senses
H3045 1. Qal: to know, perceive, understand (829×)H5315 1. soul, inner being (647×)H3820a 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (572×)H4672 1. Qal: find, discover (289×)G1492 1. know facts or truths (285×)H3824 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (250×)H1245 1. seek, search for (200×)G1097 1. know, be acquainted with (196×)H2142 1. Qal: remember, recall (173×)G2588 1. heart (inner self, mind, will) (158×)H0977 1. choose, select (Qal active) (145×)G2147 1. find, discover (144×)G5590 1. soul, inner self (100×)H4672 2. Niphal: be found, be discovered (99×)H1875 1. seek, search for (96×)H5315 2. life, vitality (94×)H1847 1. knowledge, discernment (90×)H2450 1. wise, prudent (84×)H7911 1. Qal: to forget (83×)H3684 1. fool, dullard (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
‡ † בִּינָה n.f. understanding (BH; √ בין; 𝔗 בִּיּוּנָא, Syriac ܒܽܘܝܳܢܳܐ );—abs. ב׳ Dn 2:21.