(Aramaic) corresponding to דּוּר; to reside; dwell.
Transliteration:dûwr
Pronunciation:dure
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb H1753 dûwr primarily signifies "to reside" or "to dwell." It is explicitly defined as corresponding to the Hebrew H1752 dûr, sharing its core semantic range. While the Hebrew root dwr can carry the broader sense of "circling" or "revolving," in its Aramaic manifestation as H1753, the emphasis is firmly on the settled state of habitation. It denotes a fixed place of abode, implying a period of living or establishing oneself in a particular location. The nuance of permanence or continued presence is inherent in its usage, distinguishing it from transient movement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic word, H1753 dûwr is found exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Daniel and Ezra. Its usage consistently refers to physical habitation, whether of humans or animals.
* **[[Daniel 2:38]]**: In Nebuchadnezzar's dream interpretation, Daniel declares that God has given the king dominion "wherever the children of man *dwell* (דָּיְרִין)." Here, dûwr emphasizes God's universal sovereignty over all inhabitants of the earth, highlighting that even the most powerful human rulers derive their authority over their subjects from the divine.
* **[[Daniel 4:21]]**: Describing the great tree in Nebuchadnezzar's second dream, it is said that "under it the beasts of the field *dwelt* (תְּדוּר)." This foreshadows the king's degradation, where animals find their abode beneath the tree's shade.
* **[[Daniel 4:32]]**: As part of Nebuchadnezzar's judgment, he is told, "you shall *dwell* (תְּדוּר) with the beasts of the field." This is a direct pronouncement of his forced, humiliating habitation among animals, emphasizing a complete reversal of his royal status.
* **[[Daniel 5:21]]**: Recounting Nebuchadnezzar's humbling, it states that "he *dwelt* (דָּר) with the wild donkeys." This verse reiterates the fulfillment of the prophecy, underscoring the severity of divine judgment and the king's profound loss of human dignity.
* **[[Ezra 4:17]]**: In a letter from King Artaxerxes to the officials in Samaria, he addresses "to the men *dwelling* (דָּיְרִין) in Samaria." Here, dûwr simply identifies the inhabitants of a specific region, serving as a geographical descriptor for the residents of Samaria and their associates.
Across these occurrences, H1753 consistently denotes a settled existence, whether under divine decree (Daniel) or as a descriptor of a population (Ezra).
### Related Words & Concepts
The most immediate and crucial related word is the Hebrew H1752 dûr, which is explicitly given as the corresponding term. While H1752 can also mean "to go around" or "revolve," its sense of "to dwell" is the direct parallel. This connection underscores the shared linguistic root and semantic development.
Other significant Hebrew words related to dwelling or residing include:
* H3427 yashab: A very common and broad term for "to sit, dwell, inhabit." It often describes permanent residence.
* H7931 shakan: Meaning "to settle down, abide, dwell," frequently used in contexts of God's dwelling (e.g., the tabernacle, the Shekinah glory), implying a more profound or sacred presence.
* H1607 gur: "to sojourn, dwell as a stranger," highlighting a temporary or non-native residence.
The concept of "dwelling" is fundamental to biblical anthropology and theology. It relates to:
* **Habitation**: The physical act of living in a place.
* **Sovereignty**: God's ultimate control over where and how humans and creatures reside.
* **Identity**: Who "dwells" where can define a people or a state of being.
* **Exile and Return**: The context of Daniel and Ezra often involves people being displaced from their normal dwelling places or establishing new ones.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H1753 dûwr is particularly pronounced in the book of Daniel.
1. **Divine Sovereignty Over All Habitation**: The declaration in [[Daniel 2:38]] that God gives dominion over "wherever the children of man *dwell*" is a powerful assertion of God's absolute sovereignty. It signifies that all human habitation, all nations, and all earthly power structures are ultimately under the control and authority of the Most High God. No king or kingdom exists outside of His divine prerogative.
2. **Humiliation and Restoration**: The repeated use of dûwr to describe Nebuchadnezzar's forced "dwelling" with the beasts ([[Daniel 4:32]], [[Daniel 5:21]]) serves as a profound theological statement on divine judgment and the nature of pride. It illustrates that God can humble the proudest of rulers by stripping them of their human dignity and forcing them into a sub-human state of existence. This dramatic reversal underscores humanity's utter dependence on God for sanity, reason, and even the basic privilege of human habitation. His restoration after acknowledging God's sovereignty further emphasizes God's power to humble and to restore.
3. **Humanity's Created Place**: Implicitly, the word points to humanity's designated place on earth. Humans are "dwellers" on the earth, created to inhabit and steward it. The disruption of this normal dwelling, as seen with Nebuchadnezzar, is a sign of divine displeasure or judgment, highlighting the blessedness of a stable, human existence under God's favor.
### Summary
H1753 dûwr is an Aramaic verb meaning "to reside" or "to dwell," directly corresponding to the Hebrew H1752 dûr. Its usage in the Aramaic portions of Daniel and Ezra consistently denotes a settled habitation. In Daniel, it carries significant theological weight, underscoring God's universal sovereignty over all human "dwellers" on earth and illustrating the divine humbling of proud rulers through their forced "dwelling" among animals. In Ezra, it functions as a straightforward descriptor of a region's inhabitants. Ultimately, dûwr emphasizes the concept of established physical presence, always within the overarching framework of God's supreme authority over all creation and its inhabitants.
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