The Aramaic word bᵉnaç, represented by H1149, is a term used to be enraged or be angry. It appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible, marking a specific and pivotal moment of intense emotion within the biblical narrative. Its singular use highlights a critical reaction that drives the surrounding events.
In its sole biblical context, H1149 is used in the book of Daniel to describe the king of Babylon's emotional state. When his wise men fail to tell him his dream and its interpretation, the scripture states, "For this cause the king was angry and very furious" Daniel 2:12. This moment of being enraged is the direct catalyst for his subsequent command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
Several related Aramaic words appear in the same verse, working together to build a complete picture of the king's fury:
- H7108 qᵉtsaph (to become enraged; be furious): This word is paired directly with bᵉnaç to intensify the description of the king's emotional state, showing he was not just angry but also furious Daniel 2:12.
- H7690 saggîyʼ (large... also adverbial... great(-ly); many, much, sore, very): Functioning as an adverb, this word modifies qᵉtsaph to communicate the great degree of the king's rage, translating as "very furious" Daniel 2:12.
- H6903 qᵉbêl (...on account of, ...for this cause, ...because): This word establishes the reason for the king's anger, translated as "For this cause," linking his rage directly to the failure of the wise men Daniel 2:12.
The narrative weight of H1149 is significant for the story of Daniel.
- Plot Catalyst: The king's anger, as described by H1149, is the immediate trigger for the decree to execute the wise men, creating the crisis that only Daniel can solve through divine revelation Daniel 2:12.
- Character Revelation: This term reveals the king's volatile and absolute power. His reaction to being thwarted is not mere disappointment but a dangerous rage, highlighting the peril faced by those in his court.
- Intensified Danger: By being part of the phrase "angry and very furious," H1149 helps establish the extreme gravity of the situation, emphasizing the life-threatening circumstances from which Daniel and his friends must be saved.
In summary, H1149 is a precise term whose single appearance is crucial to the plot of Daniel chapter 2. While not a broad theological word, it functions as a powerful descriptor of human emotion that sets a key biblical event in motion. Its use in context illustrates the severity of the king's wrath and underscores the magnitude of the deliverance that follows.
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