(Aramaic) corresponding to כֹּתֶל; {a wall (as gathering inmates)}; wall.
Transliteration:kᵉthal
Pronunciation:keth-al'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term `{{H3797}}` (kᵉthal) primarily denotes a "wall." Its base definition highlights its function "as gathering inmates," suggesting a structure that encloses, defines space, and provides a boundary or shelter. This etymological nuance points to a fundamental aspect of walls: their role in creating distinct areas, whether for habitation, protection, or demarcation. The word is directly correlated with the Hebrew term `{{H3796}}` (kōthel), indicating a shared semantic field and conceptual understanding across related Semitic languages. While simple in its literal meaning, the contexts in which `{{H3797}}` appears imbue it with significant symbolic and theological weight.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic word `{{H3797}}` appears in two significant biblical passages, both within the Aramaic sections of the Old Testament:
* **Ezra 5:8**: "Let it be known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with large stones, and timber is being laid in the **walls**; and this work is being done diligently and is prospering in their hands." Here, `{{H3797}}` refers to the walls of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. In this context, the walls are integral to the construction of a sacred edifice, signifying the physical boundaries of God's dwelling place. They represent stability, the progress of divine work, and the re-establishment of a holy site after exile. The mention of "large stones" and "timber" emphasizes the substantial and enduring nature of these walls.
* **Daniel 5:5**: "In the same hour the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the **wall** of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand; and the king saw the palm of the hand that wrote." This is the famous account of the "writing on the wall" during Belshazzar's feast. Here, the wall of the royal palace serves as the unexpected canvas for divine revelation and judgment. It is a visible, public surface upon which God's message of impending doom is inscribed. The wall, typically a symbol of security and permanence within a royal dwelling, becomes a medium for a terrifying, unalterable pronouncement from the Almighty.
### Related Words & Concepts
As noted, `{{H3797}}` is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew `{{H3796}}` (kōthel), which also means "wall" and is famously associated with the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Other Hebrew words for "wall" include:
* `{{H2346}}` (ḥōmāh): A common term for a city wall, often implying defensive fortifications (e.g., [[Nehemiah 2:17]]).
* `{{H1444}}` (gādēr): A fence or low wall, typically around a vineyard or field (e.g., [[Numbers 22:24]]).
* `{{H7791}}` (shūr): Another term for a wall, sometimes used interchangeably with ḥōmāh (e.g., [[Genesis 49:22]]).
The concept of a "wall" in the biblical worldview encompasses ideas of protection, separation, enclosure, boundary, foundation, and security. In some cases, walls can also symbolize division or barriers between peoples (e.g., [[Ephesians 2:14]], though using a Greek term). The specific usage of `{{H3797}}` in Ezra and Daniel highlights its role in defining sacred space and serving as a surface for divine communication.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3797}}` is primarily drawn from its contextual occurrences:
* **Sacred Space and Divine Presence**: In Ezra, the walls of the Temple define the sacred precinct, demarcating a space set apart for God's presence and worship. These walls embody the physical manifestation of a covenant relationship, providing a tangible place for the community to gather and encounter the divine. They represent order, establishment, and the fulfillment of prophetic promises regarding the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
* **Divine Revelation and Judgment**: The "writing on the wall" in Daniel 5 dramatically illustrates God's sovereign ability to communicate His will and execute judgment through unexpected means. The wall, a seemingly inert object, becomes a dynamic instrument of divine communication, bypassing human intermediaries and directly confronting human pride and idolatry. This event underscores God's transcendence over human authority and His ultimate control over human destiny. The message inscribed on the wall is not merely a warning but an irreversible decree, highlighting the certainty and finality of divine judgment.
* **Human Constructs and Divine Power**: Walls are human constructs designed for security and control. However, both narratives implicitly teach that no human wall, whether of a temple or a palace, can contain or dictate the actions of God. In Ezra, the walls are built by human hands but for a divine purpose; in Daniel, the palace wall, a symbol of Belshazzar's power, becomes the very medium through which his downfall is proclaimed by a power infinitely greater than his own.
### Summary
The Aramaic word `{{H3797}}` (kᵉthal) signifies a "wall," conveying the sense of an enclosing structure that defines space and provides boundaries. Its biblical occurrences are limited but profound. In Ezra, the "walls" of the rebuilt Temple symbolize the restoration of sacred space and the enduring presence of God among His people. In Daniel, the "wall" of Belshazzar's palace serves as the dramatic canvas for divine judgment, illustrating God's sovereignty and His capacity to reveal His will directly and decisively. Taken together, these uses of `{{H3797}}` underscore the theological concepts of sacred demarcation, divine communication, and the ultimate supremacy of God over all human constructs and perceived securities.
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