(Aramaic) corresponding to בָּשָׂר; {flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman}; flesh.
Transliteration:bᵉshar
Pronunciation:bes-ar'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term בְּשַׁר (bᵉshar, `{{H1321}}`) directly corresponds to the Hebrew בָּשָׂר (bāśār, `{{H1320}}`), signifying "flesh." Its primary meaning denotes the living, vital substance of a creature, often emphasizing its freshness and vitality. By extension, it encompasses the entire "body" or "person," referring to the physical being of humans and animals. The definition also notes a euphemistic usage, referring to the pudenda of a man, which further underscores its application to the physical, corporeal aspect of existence. This semantic range highlights the word's function in describing the material, tangible, and often vulnerable aspect of living beings.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic word, בְּשַׁר (bᵉshar) is found exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Book of Daniel. Its occurrences illuminate key theological distinctions:
* **Distinction between Divine and Human:** In [[Daniel 2:11]], the Chaldean wise men declare to King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no other who can declare it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh." Here, בְּשַׁר (bᵉshar) explicitly refers to human beings, emphasizing their inherent limitation and inability to reveal divine mysteries, setting them apart from the omniscient God.
* **Reference to Humanity:** In [[Daniel 2:38]], Nebuchadnezzar's dominion is described as extending "wherever the children of man dwell," with the implied understanding that this refers to all humanity, the "flesh" of mankind.
* **Physicality and Mortality:** The word is used repeatedly in Daniel 4 and 5 concerning King Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation and subsequent restoration.
* In [[Daniel 4:12]], it refers to the "flesh" of animals that find shelter under the great tree, symbolizing the living creatures dependent on the king's dominion.
* Crucially, in [[Daniel 4:15]], [[Daniel 4:32]], [[Daniel 4:33]], and [[Daniel 5:21]], בְּשַׁר (bᵉshar) describes Nebuchadnezzar's physical body, which is transformed to resemble that of an animal. This use underscores the king's physical vulnerability and the transient nature of human power when confronted with divine judgment. His "flesh" is humbled to teach him that "the Most High rules the kingdom of mankind."
These contexts consistently portray בְּשַׁר (bᵉshar) as the physical, mortal, and creaturely aspect of existence, often in direct contrast to the divine, eternal, and all-powerful nature of God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is its Hebrew cognate, בָּשָׂר (bāśār, `{{H1320}}`). The Aramaic בְּשַׁר (bᵉshar) functions with virtually the same semantic and theological range as its Hebrew counterpart, indicating a consistent biblical anthropology across linguistic divisions. Both terms highlight the material aspect of living beings.
Other related concepts include:
* **נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, `{{H5315}}`):** Often translated as "soul" or "living being," it sometimes overlaps with "flesh" in referring to the whole person, but can also denote the inner life or vitality.
* **רוּחַ (ruach, `{{H7307}}`):** "Spirit" or "breath," often contrasted with "flesh" to emphasize the divine, life-giving principle versus the mortal, material form.
* **Humanity/Mankind:** בְּשַׁר (bᵉshar) serves as a metonym for human beings, emphasizing their shared physical nature and limitations.
* **Mortality and Weakness:** The term inherently carries connotations of finite existence, susceptibility to decay, and inherent weakness when compared to the divine.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of בְּשַׁר (bᵉshar) in the Aramaic portions of Daniel mirrors the broader biblical understanding of "flesh" (bāśār).
1. **The Finitude of Humanity:** The primary theological insight derived from בְּשַׁר (bᵉshar) is the stark contrast between the finite, creaturely nature of humanity and the infinite, transcendent nature of God. [[Daniel 2:11]] powerfully articulates this, asserting that no "flesh" can possess divine knowledge or power. This underscores humanity's inherent limitations and dependence on divine revelation.
2. **Divine Sovereignty over All Creation:** The narrative of Nebuchadnezzar's transformation and subsequent restoration (Daniel 4, 5) profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty, even over the most powerful human rulers. The king's "flesh" is humbled, reduced to an animalistic state, to demonstrate that "the Most High rules the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom he will" ([[Daniel 4:32]], [[Daniel 5:21]]). This humiliation of the king's physical being serves as a theological object lesson on the vanity of human pride and the supremacy of God.
3. **Vulnerability and Dependence:** The repeated emphasis on Nebuchadnezzar's "flesh" highlights the vulnerability, transience, and ultimate dependence of all human existence upon the Creator. Even a mighty king's body is subject to God's will and can be brought low to achieve divine purposes.
In essence, בְּשַׁר (bᵉshar) reinforces a core biblical truth: humanity, in its physical essence, is limited, mortal, and entirely subject to the will of the sovereign God.
### Summary
בְּשַׁר (bᵉshar, `{{H1321}}`) is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew בָּשָׂר (bāśār, `{{H1320}}`), meaning "flesh," "body," or "person." Primarily found in the Aramaic sections of Daniel, it consistently highlights the physical, mortal, and creaturely nature of humanity and animals. Its usage in [[Daniel 2:11]] emphasizes the fundamental distinction between finite human "flesh" and the infinite God. Furthermore, its repeated appearance in the accounts of Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation and restoration (Daniel 4-5) underscores the vulnerability and dependence of human existence on divine sovereignty. The word thus serves as a powerful reminder of humanity's inherent limitations and God's absolute control over all creation, even the physical forms of the most powerful earthly rulers.
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