(Aramaic) corresponding to גַב; {the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc.}; back.
Transliteration:gab
Pronunciation:gab
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word `{{H1355}}` (גַּב, *gab*) is a direct cognate to the Hebrew `{{H1354}}` (גַּב, *gav*), sharing a common etymological root signifying something "rounded" or "convex." Its primary and most frequent meaning is the anatomical "back," referring to the posterior part of a body. By extension and analogy, this core sense of a rounded or elevated surface leads to a broader semantic range, encompassing:
* The "top" or "rim" of an object, particularly one that is curved or raised.
* A "boss," which is a raised, often ornamental, protuberance.
* A "vault" or "arch," denoting a curved structural element.
* More specialized uses, such as the "arch of the eye" (eyebrow) or "bulwarks," referring to protective walls that might have a rounded or elevated top. In the biblical Aramaic corpus, the meaning predominantly adheres to the literal "back."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic term, `{{H1355}}` is found exclusively in the Aramaic sections of the Old Testament, specifically within the book of Daniel. Its sole occurrence is in [[Daniel 7:6]], where it appears twice:
* "After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the **back** of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it."
In this prophetic vision, `{{H1355}}` (גַּבַּהּ, *gabbah*) unequivocally refers to the physical "back" of the symbolic leopard-like beast. The context is highly symbolic, describing a sequence of four great beasts representing successive earthly kingdoms. The detail that the leopard-like beast (understood to represent the Grecian Empire) had "four wings of a fowl upon its back" emphasizes its extraordinary swiftness and rapidity of conquest, a characteristic historically attributed to Alexander the Great. The "back" here is a literal anatomical location on the visionary creature, serving to anchor the symbolic attributes (wings) to a physical form. The word's usage in this verse is purely descriptive, contributing to the vivid, often monstrous, imagery employed by the prophet Daniel to convey the nature and power of these earthly dominions.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to `{{H1355}}` is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H1354}}` (גַּב, *gav*), which also means "back" and shares the extended semantic range of rounded or elevated surfaces. While `{{H1355}}` is rare in the biblical text, `{{H1354}}` appears more frequently, referring to the back (e.g., [[Psalm 129:3]]), a boss on a shield, or the rim of a wheel.
Other related concepts include:
* **Anatomical terms:** Words for "body" (e.g., `{{H1350}}` גֵּו, *gev*; `{{H1504}}` גּוּף, *gûph*), or other body parts that might be associated with the back, such as the spine or shoulders, though no direct Aramaic cognates are immediately evident in the biblical text.
* **Support and Burden:** The "back" is often associated with bearing loads or burdens (e.g., [[Isaiah 9:4]]), or providing support. While not explicit in `{{H1355}}`'s sole usage, this is a common conceptual link for the "back."
* **Vulnerability/Strength:** A "back" can be a place of strength (carrying weight, propelling movement) or vulnerability (exposed to attack, turning one's back in flight or defeat). In [[Daniel 7:6]], the wings on the back suggest strength and swiftness rather than vulnerability.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H1355}}` itself is a descriptive anatomical term and carries no inherent theological weight, its significance is entirely derived from its context within the divinely revealed prophecy of Daniel. The detailed description of the beasts, including the location of their wings "upon the back," underscores the specificity and intentionality of God's prophetic visions.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The meticulous anatomical and functional details of the symbolic beasts in Daniel 7 highlight God's comprehensive knowledge and sovereign control over human history. Even the seemingly minor detail of where the wings are placed (on the "back") contributes to the precision of the divine revelation concerning the rise and fall of empires.
* **Prophetic Imagery:** The "back" serves as a canvas for the symbolic attributes (wings) that convey the nature and characteristics of the empire it represents (swiftness of conquest). This demonstrates how God uses vivid, sometimes grotesque, imagery to communicate profound truths about earthly powers in contrast to His eternal kingdom.
* **Revelation of God's Plan:** The inclusion of such anatomical specifics, even for symbolic creatures, reinforces the reality and certainty of God's unfolding plan. It suggests that God's prophetic word is not vague but precise, encompassing even the physical attributes of the entities involved in His grand historical narrative.
### Summary
`{{H1355}}` (גַּב, *gab*) is an Aramaic word primarily meaning "back," stemming from a core concept of something "rounded" or "convex." Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Daniel 7:6]], where it describes the "back" of the leopard-like beast in a prophetic vision, serving as the physical location for its symbolic wings. Although a simple descriptive term, its usage in this significant prophetic context underscores the meticulous detail of God's revelation concerning earthly kingdoms. The word contributes to the vivid imagery that portrays the characteristics of these empires, ultimately highlighting God's comprehensive knowledge, sovereign control, and the certainty of His divine plan for history.
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