### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word **yad**, represented by `{{H3028}}`, means **hand** or **power**. Its definition specifies "the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)," highlighting its broad application beyond a literal body part. It appears 17 times across 16 unique verses, primarily in the books of Daniel and Ezra, where it is used to describe divine sovereignty, human authority, and direct action.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{H3028}}` is used to convey both literal action and metaphorical control. In a literal sense, it appears in the account of Belshazzar's feast, where the king saw "the part of the **hand** that wrote" on the wall [[Daniel 5:5]]. More often, it signifies authority and power. Nebuchadnezzar is told that God has given kingdoms into his **hand** [[Daniel 2:38]], and as a consequence of Israel's sin, God "gave them into the **hand** of Nebuchadnezzar" [[Ezra 5:12]]. Conversely, it represents God's supreme power, as no one can "stay his **hand**" [[Daniel 4:35]] and He holds the very breath of kings in His **hand** [[Daniel 5:23]]. The term is also used to describe work that "prospereth in their **hands**" [[Ezra 5:8]], referring to the rebuilding of the temple.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the meaning of **yad** in context:
* `{{H7804}}` **shᵉzab** (deliver): This verb is often paired with **yad** to describe rescue. God is able to **deliver** His servants from the fiery furnace and out of the king's **hand** [[Daniel 3:17]], and He **delivered** Daniel from the **power** (yad) of the lions [[Daniel 6:27]].
* `{{H3052}}` **yᵉhab** (to give): This word frequently precedes **yad** to show the transfer of authority or control. God **gave** Nebuchadnezzar dominion over the earth into his **hand** [[Daniel 2:38]], and later the saints are **given** into the **hand** of a hostile power for a set time [[Daniel 7:25]].
* `{{H7981}}` **shᵉlêṭ** (have power, bear rule): This term is directly linked to the concept of power inherent in **yad**. God made Nebuchadnezzar **ruler** over all that was given into his **hand** [[Daniel 2:38]], demonstrating that the "hand" represents the sphere of one's rule.
* `{{H677}}` **'etsbaʻ** (finger, toe): This word provides a direct physical connection. The supernatural writing on the wall was performed by the **fingers** of a man's **hand** [[Daniel 5:5]], illustrating the most literal application of the term.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H3028}}` is significant, particularly in the prophetic and historical contexts of Daniel and Ezra.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The word consistently emphasizes God's absolute control. He holds all life and authority in His **hand** [[Daniel 5:23]], and His actions cannot be stopped by any earthly or heavenly being [[Daniel 4:35]]. Human power is something delegated, given into a person's **hand** by God [[Ezra 5:12]].
* **Supernatural Agency:** The phrase "without **hands**" ([[Daniel 2:34]], [[Daniel 2:45]]) is a critical theological marker. It describes the stone, representing God's kingdom, which is formed by divine power alone, not by human effort. This contrasts a heavenly kingdom with the earthly empires built by human hands.
* **Instrument of Action:** The **hand** is the means by which both judgment and deliverance are executed. God can deliver His people from a king's **hand** [[Daniel 3:17]] but also put a people into a king's **hand** for judgment [[Ezra 5:12]]. It is also the instrument of divine revelation, as when the **hand** wrote on the palace wall [[Daniel 5:24]].
### Summary
In summary, **yad** `{{H3028}}` is a multifaceted term that extends far beyond its literal meaning. It serves as a powerful symbol for authority, agency, and control. From the literal **fingers** writing on a wall to the metaphorical **hand** of God that governs the universe, the word is essential for understanding the biblical concepts of divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the execution of God's will in history.
TRV