The Aramaic word lêylᵉyâʼ, represented by H3916, is the term for night. It appears a total of 5 times across 5 unique verses, with all occurrences found in the book of Daniel. Its usage consistently marks a time of significant, often supernatural, events.
In the book of Daniel, H3916 is almost exclusively used to frame the context for divine revelation. It is the time when Daniel receives "night visions" Daniel 7:13 or sees his "vision by night" Daniel 7:2. In one instance, a profound secret is revealed to Daniel "in a night vision" Daniel 2:19. The word also sets the scene for a moment of historical judgment, marking the specific time when "Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans" was slain Daniel 5:30.
Several related words provide context for the events that take place during the night:
- H2376 chêzêv (a sight; look, vision): This word is frequently paired with H3916 to describe the prophetic experiences Daniel has. Four of the five uses of night occur in the phrase "night visions" or "vision by night" (Daniel 2:19, Daniel 7:7).
- H7308 rûwach (mind, spirit, wind): In Daniel's vision by night, he sees the four winds of the heaven striving upon the sea, initiating a major prophetic sequence Daniel 7:2.
- H8065 shâmayin (heaven): The night is when visions concerning heaven are given. Daniel sees one like the Son of man coming with the clouds of heaven in his night visions Daniel 7:13, and after a secret is revealed in a night vision, he blesses the God of heaven Daniel 2:19.
The use of H3916 carries significant thematic weight within the biblical narrative of Daniel:
- Time of Divine Revelation: The night is consistently portrayed as the appointed time for God to unveil secrets and future events. Daniel's most profound visions about future kingdoms and the Son of man occur during the night Daniel 7:13.
- Context for Prophecy: The term establishes the setting for critical prophecies. The visions of the four beasts and the Ancient of days are all explicitly set within the context of night visions (Daniel 7:7, Daniel 7:13).
- Moment of Judgment: Beyond revelation, the night also functions as a time for divine judgment to be enacted, as seen in the sudden death of King Belshazzar Daniel 5:30.
In summary, H3916 is more than just a chronological marker. While its direct meaning is simply night, its exclusive use in Daniel transforms it into a framework for pivotal moments of prophecy and judgment. It consistently signals a period where the veil between the earthly and the heavenly is thin, allowing for divine communication and intervention to unfold.
TRV