(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to that of הֲדֹם; something stamped to pieces, i.e. a bit; piece.
Transliteration:haddâm
Pronunciation:had-dawm'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term `{{H1917}}` (haddâm) is derived from a root corresponding to that of `{{H1916}}` (hadom), which signifies "to stamp" or "to tread down." This etymological connection provides insight into its core meaning: something that has been "stamped to pieces." Consequently, `{{H1917}}` denotes a fragment, a bit, or a piece, emphasizing a part that has been separated or reduced from a larger whole, often through a process of breaking or crushing. Its semantic range is narrow, specifically pointing to a distinct, often non-cohesive, component within a larger structure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H1917}}` appears only once in the biblical text, in the book of Daniel:
* [[Daniel 2:42]]: "And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile."
In this pivotal verse, `{{H1917}}` is used twice in the Aramaic phrase "מִנְהוֹן חַדָּם דִּי פַרְזֶל וּמִנְהוֹן חַדָּם דִּי חֲסַף" (minhon haddam dî parzel uminhon haddam dî khasaph), translated as "from them a piece of iron and from them a piece of clay."
The context is Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great statue. The feet and toes, representing the final earthly kingdom, are depicted as a mixture of iron and clay. The use of `{{H1917}}` here is crucial, emphasizing that this kingdom is not a homogeneous entity but a composite of disparate "pieces." These pieces, though coexisting, do not truly cohere, retaining their distinct material properties (the strength of iron and the brittleness of clay). This signifies an inherent lack of unity and internal division, making the kingdom simultaneously strong and fragile, ultimately leading to its instability and inability to truly "cling to one another" (as stated in [[Daniel 2:43]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is `{{H1916}}` (hadom), "footstool," which shares the underlying root concept of treading or crushing, thus reinforcing the idea of something being "stamped to pieces." While not direct synonyms, other Aramaic terms that convey aspects of division or separation include:
* `{{H6416}}` (pelag): Aramaic for "half" or "division," which speaks to a splitting of a whole.
* `{{H6786}}` (tsəla'): Aramaic for "rib" or "side," denoting a part or section of a larger body.
Conceptually, `{{H1917}}` aligns with themes of fragmentation, mixture, internal division, and inherent instability. It stands in contrast to concepts of unity, cohesion, and permanence.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, the theological significance of `{{H1917}}` is profound due to its strategic placement in the eschatological vision of Daniel 2. The "pieces" of iron and clay symbolize the fundamental weakness and internal disunity of the final earthly kingdom. This imagery conveys a critical theological message: human empires, even those possessing elements of great strength, are inherently flawed and temporary if they are not founded upon divine principles and unity. The inability of the "iron" and "clay" to truly mix or cohere represents the deep-seated divisions—political, social, or ideological—that will characterize this end-time power. This fragmentation ultimately renders the kingdom vulnerable to divine intervention, setting the stage for its destruction by the "stone cut without hands" ([[Daniel 2:34]], [[Daniel 2:45]]), which represents God's eternal and unified kingdom. Thus, `{{H1917}}` underscores the transient and ultimately fragile nature of all human power structures in contrast to the enduring and undivided sovereignty of God.
### Summary
`{{H1917}}` (haddâm) is an Aramaic term meaning "a piece" or "a bit," stemming from a root implying something "stamped to pieces." Its sole biblical appearance in [[Daniel 2:42]] is highly significant, where it describes the feet of Nebuchadnezzar's dream statue as being composed of "pieces" of iron and "pieces" of clay. This usage vividly portrays the fragmented, mixed, and inherently unstable nature of the final earthly kingdom, which, despite its strength, lacks true cohesion and is prone to internal division. Theologically, `{{H1917}}` serves as a powerful symbol of the ultimate fragility and impermanence of human empires that are not grounded in divine unity, contrasting sharply with the eternal and indivisible kingdom of God.
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