(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to טָוָה; hunger (as twisting); fasting.
Transliteration:ṭᵉvâth
Pronunciation:tev-awth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word `{{H2908}}` (ṭᵉvâth) is derived from a root corresponding to the Hebrew `{{H2907}}` (ṭāwâ), which signifies "to spin" or "to twist." This etymological connection provides a visceral understanding of its primary meaning: "hunger" (as a twisting sensation in the stomach). From this core meaning, it extends to "fasting," which is the deliberate act of abstaining from food, thereby experiencing hunger. The word thus encapsulates both the physical sensation and the intentional practice of abstinence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H2908}}` appears only once in the biblical text, specifically in the Aramaic section of the book of Daniel:
* **[[Daniel 6:18]]**: "Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him."
In this solitary occurrence, `{{H2908}}` describes King Darius's profound distress and anxiety following Daniel's consignment to the lion's den. The king's ṭᵉvâth is not a ritual fast in the Israelite sense, but rather a spontaneous and deeply personal act of abstinence driven by intense worry and perhaps a desperate hope for Daniel's deliverance. The context highlights the king's inability to find comfort or sleep, underscoring the severity of his emotional state and the physical manifestation of his concern through fasting. It signifies a complete preoccupation with Daniel's fate, to the exclusion of all normal pleasures and necessities.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymological link to `{{H2907}}` (ṭāwâ, "to spin, twist") is crucial for understanding the vivid imagery embedded in `{{H2908}}`. This connection emphasizes the physical discomfort associated with hunger.
Related Hebrew terms for "hunger" include:
* `{{H7457}}` (ra'av): A general term for hunger or famine.
* `{{H7458}}` (ra'abon): A noun for hunger, often a state of being hungry.
Related terms for "fasting" in Hebrew and Aramaic:
* `{{H6685}}` (tsom): The most common Hebrew noun for a fast or fasting.
* `{{H6684}}` (tsum): The verb "to fast."
Concepts associated with `{{H2908}}` and biblical fasting in general include:
* **Deprivation/Abstinence**: The willful withholding of food or pleasure.
* **Lament/Mourning**: Often accompanied by fasting as an expression of sorrow.
* **Intercession/Prayer**: Fasting as a means of intensified prayer and seeking divine intervention.
* **Humiliation/Humility**: A posture of self-abasement before God.
* **Distress/Anxiety**: As seen in Darius's case, a physical response to overwhelming concern.
### Theological Significance
Though `{{H2908}}` appears only once, its singular usage in [[Daniel 6:18]] is highly significant. It depicts a pagan king, Darius, engaging in a profound act of self-deprivation motivated by genuine concern for Daniel, a servant of the true God. This ṭᵉvâth underscores the universal human response to crisis and deep emotional turmoil.
Theologically, Darius's fast, while not explicitly religious in the Israelite covenantal sense, mirrors key aspects of biblical fasting:
1. **Expression of Deep Concern**: It shows a king so consumed by worry that he foregoes food and comfort, a common motif in biblical accounts of intense prayer or mourning (e.g., David's fast for his sick child in [[2 Samuel 12:16-23]]).
2. **Seeking Divine Intervention (Implicit)**: Although Darius initially relied on his own decree, his subsequent distress and fasting can be interpreted as an implicit acknowledgment of a power beyond his own, particularly the God whom Daniel served. His sleepless night and abstinence reflect a desperate hope for a miraculous outcome.
3. **Physical Manifestation of Spiritual State**: The "twisting" sensation of hunger becomes a physical correlative to the king's internal anguish and earnest desire for Daniel's preservation. It highlights how the body can be used to express profound spiritual or emotional states before God.
This unique instance of ṭᵉvâth demonstrates that even outside the covenant community, the act of fasting can emerge as a natural human response to overwhelming circumstances, often pointing towards a reliance, conscious or unconscious, on a higher power.
### Summary
The Aramaic word `{{H2908}}` (ṭᵉvâth) carries the core meaning of "hunger," stemming from an etymological root signifying "twisting," vividly describing the physical sensation. Its semantic range extends to "fasting," the deliberate act of abstaining from food. The word's sole biblical occurrence in [[Daniel 6:18]] powerfully describes King Darius's distressed night of fasting for Daniel. This act, while not a covenantal fast, highlights the universal human response of profound concern, anxiety, and a desperate seeking of a favorable outcome, often expressed through self-deprivation. Theologically, it underscores how physical acts like fasting can embody deep emotional and spiritual states, even for those outside the direct covenant, implicitly acknowledging a reliance on divine intervention.
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