The Aramaic word lᵉchênâh, represented by H3904, is defined as a concubine. It is derived from an unused root with an uncertain meaning. This specific term is quite rare, appearing only 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, all within a single chapter.
The use of H3904 is exclusively found in the account of King Belshazzar's feast in the book of Daniel. In this narrative, the king commands that the sacred golden and silver vessels, taken from the temple in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, be brought out so that he, his lords, his wives, and his concubines could drink from them Daniel 5:2. This act of desecration is repeated, with the text noting that the king, his princes, his wives, and his concubines drank from the holy vessels Daniel 5:3. The term appears a final time when Daniel rebukes the king for lifting himself up against God, specifically mentioning that the king, his lords, his wives, and his concubines had drunk wine from the vessels while praising false gods Daniel 5:23.
Several related Aramaic words provide context for the role and setting of the concubines:
- H7695 shêgâl (wife): Defined as a legitimate queen or wife, this word appears directly before H3904 in every instance. The consistent pairing of "his wives, and his concubines" highlights a distinction between the two groups within the royal household Daniel 5:2.
- H7261 rabrᵉbân (lord, prince): Referring to a magnate or prince, this word identifies the high-ranking officials present at the feast. They are listed as part of the assembly that participated in the sacrilege alongside the king, his wives, and concubines Daniel 5:23.
- H8355 shᵉthâh (drink): This verb, meaning to drink or imbibe, describes the central profane action of the event. The concubines are explicitly included among those who drank from the temple vessels Daniel 5:3.
The theological significance of H3904 is tied directly to the narrative of judgment in which it appears.
- Participation in Sacrilege: The inclusion of the concubines in the group that drank from the holy vessels emphasizes the widespread nature of the profanity at Belshazzar's court. The desecration was not a private act of the king but involved his entire royal entourage Daniel 5:23.
- Indicator of Royal Excess: The presence of wives and concubines at a state feast where sacred objects are misused points to the moral and spiritual decay of Belshazzar's kingdom, setting the stage for its imminent fall.
- Context for Divine Judgment: By participating in the feast, the concubines, along with the rest of the court, became part of the context for God's judgment against Belshazzar for praising idols and failing to glorify the God in whose hand his breath was Daniel 5:23.
In summary, H3904 is a specific term for concubine whose biblical usage is confined to the story of Belshazzar's feast. While a minor detail, its inclusion serves to illustrate the comprehensive involvement of the royal household in an act of profound disrespect toward God. The word helps paint a picture of a court engaged in sacrilege, highlighting the gravity of the offense that prompted divine intervention and judgment.
TRV