(Aramaic) corresponding to טָלַל; to cover with shade; have a shadow.
Transliteration:ṭᵉlal
Pronunciation:tel-al'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb `{{H2927}}` (ṭᵉlal) carries the fundamental meaning "to cover with shade" or "to cast a shadow." As indicated by its definition, it is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew `{{H2926}}` (ṭālal), which also means "to overshadow" or "to cover." The semantic range is quite narrow, focusing specifically on the act or state of providing or experiencing shade, often implying protection or concealment from direct light or heat. This action inherently suggests a covering, whether literal (as from a structure or foliage) or metaphorical (as from a pervasive influence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic verb `{{H2927}}` appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in the book of Daniel, and both in the Hithpael stem. The Hithpael stem conveys a reflexive or reciprocal action, or an intensive/repetitive action, emphasizing the *experience* of being shaded or taking shade.
1. **[[Daniel 4:12]]**: "Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches."
* Here, `{{H2927}}` (yitṭallal) is used to describe the great tree in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, symbolizing his kingdom. The phrase "found shade under it" (literally, "under it they would shade themselves" or "be shaded") highlights the protective and life-sustaining aspect of the kingdom. The shade provided a refuge for the wild animals, signifying the broad reach of Nebuchadnezzar's dominion and the provision he offered to many peoples.
2. **[[Daniel 4:21]]**: "whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and on whose branches the birds of the sky nested."
* This verse is a repetition of the description from [[Daniel 4:12]], reinforcing the imagery of the tree's extensive shade and the security it offered. The use of `{{H2927}}` in both instances underscores the central role of "shade" as a metaphor for protection, sustenance, and expansive influence within the context of the dream. The parallelism between the two verses emphasizes the stability and widespread benefit that the kingdom, in its prime, provided.
In both contexts, the word is part of a vivid dream narrative, where the natural imagery of a large tree and its shade serves as a powerful symbol for a vast kingdom offering shelter and provision to its inhabitants.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation is to the Hebrew verb `{{H2926}}` (ṭālal), which shares the same root and core meaning of "to overshadow" or "to cover." While `{{H2926}}` appears more frequently in Hebrew texts, `{{H2927}}` is its Aramaic counterpart, demonstrating the close linguistic ties between the two Semitic languages.
Conceptually, `{{H2927}}` relates to several broader biblical themes:
* **Protection and Refuge:** The idea of shade often symbolizes divine protection or a place of safety from hardship (e.g., the "shadow of His wings" in Psalms). While `{{H2927}}` itself does not directly refer to divine shade, its usage in Daniel implies a protective covering provided by a powerful entity (the king/kingdom).
* **Provision and Sustenance:** A tree providing shade also offers fruit, linking the concept of shade to the broader idea of a flourishing environment that sustains life, as seen in the description of the tree in Daniel.
* **Dominion and Extent:** The vastness of the tree's shade in Daniel signifies the extensive reach and influence of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom, under which many "found shelter."
* Other Hebrew words for "shade" or "shadow" include the noun `{{H6738}}` (tsel), which is much more common and broadly used for literal shadow, as well as figurative protection.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H2927}}` is used in a context referring to an earthly kingdom, its theological significance can be inferred through the broader biblical motif of "shade" as a symbol of divine care and protection. In the Old Testament, God is frequently depicted as providing shade to His people (e.g., "the shadow of the Almighty" in [[Psalm 91:1]], or the cloud by day in the wilderness, [[Exodus 13:21]]).
In Daniel's vision, the king's vast kingdom, which provides shade and sustenance, is ultimately subject to God's sovereignty. The cutting down of the tree signifies the temporary removal of this earthly "shade" and the humbling of the king, demonstrating that true and lasting shade and protection come only from God. Thus, even in its limited occurrences, `{{H2927}}` indirectly points to the transient nature of human power and the ultimate source of all true refuge and provision in God. The dream's interpretation reveals that even the greatest earthly "shade-provider" is dependent on the Most High God, who "rules the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whomever he wishes" [[Daniel 4:17]].
### Summary
The Aramaic verb `{{H2927}}` (ṭᵉlal) means "to cover with shade" or "to cast a shadow." Occurring only twice in the Hithpael stem in [[Daniel 4:12]] and [[Daniel 4:21]], it describes the protective and sustaining shade offered by the great tree symbolizing Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom. This word is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew `{{H2926}}` (ṭālal). Conceptually, it relates to themes of protection, provision, and dominion, with "shade" serving as a metaphor for refuge and sustenance. Theologically, while describing an earthly kingdom, its usage in Daniel subtly underscores the ultimate sovereignty of God, who is the true and ultimate provider of lasting shade and protection, contrasting with the transient nature of human power. The word, though rare, powerfully contributes to the imagery of a vast, protective, yet ultimately dependent, earthly dominion.
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