H6640 H6640
thing, matter, purpose; any object or concern (Aramaic loanword)
This Aramaic term, appearing in Daniel, means a thing, matter, or purpose—essentially anything that occupies the mind or requires action. In Daniel 6, it refers to the king's mental state: no entertainment or diversion could be brought to him as he worried about Daniel in the lions' den. The word's breadth is its strength: it can mean food, music, or any concern at all. Related forms in Palmyrene and Syriac confirm its broad semantic range.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Used in Daniel 6:17 (English 6:18) to say that no diversions or entertainments were brought before the sleepless king. The Spanish "propósito" (purpose) and French "nourriture" (food, nourishment) show translational disagreement, reflecting the word's semantic flexibility. The context suggests anything that might occupy or comfort the king—food, music, company—all refused in his anxiety. 1×
AR["أَمْرٌ"]·ben["উদ্দেশ্য"]·DE["[צבו]"]·EN["purpose"]·FR["nourriture"]·heb["רצון"]·HI["इच्छा"]·ID["maksud"]·IT["[צבו]"]·jav["kajengipun"]·KO["뜻-이"]·PT["propósito"]·RU["желание"]·ES["propósito"]·SW["kusudi"]·TR["istek"]·urd["ارادہ"]
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
† צְבוּ n.f. thing, anything (orig. purpose) (Palm. צבו Lzb357 SAC100 Cooke266, Syriac ܨܒܽܘܬܳܐ, all thing; cf. NH חֵפֶץ thing, from הָפֵץ delight in, crave);—Dn 6:18.