(Aramaic) corresponding to לָאֵל; {Lael an Israelite}; night.
Transliteration:lêylᵉyâʼ
Pronunciation:lay-leh-yaw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic noun לֵילְיָא (lêylᵉyâʼ) fundamentally denotes "night." As the direct Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew לַיְלָה (`{{H3915}}`), its semantic range encompasses the period of darkness that occurs between sunset and sunrise. It refers to the temporal duration when natural light is absent, often associated with rest, sleep, dreams, or activities that transpire under the cover of darkness. While its direct occurrences in the biblical Aramaic corpus are extremely limited, its meaning is clear and consistent with the broader biblical understanding of "night" as a distinct segment of the diurnal cycle.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic term לֵילְיָא (lêylᵉyâʼ) appears only once in the biblical text, specifically within the Aramaic portions of the Book of Daniel.
* **[[Daniel 2:19]]:** "Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision." Here, לֵילְיָא modifies "vision" (חֶזְוָא, chezevāʼ), specifying the temporal setting in which the divine revelation occurred. The phrase "night vision" emphasizes that the profound mystery of Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation was unveiled to Daniel during a nocturnal experience, likely a dream or an inspired trance. This aligns with a common biblical motif where God communicates with His servants during the hours of darkness, as seen in Jacob's dream at Bethel ([[Genesis 28:10-17]]), Joseph's prophetic dreams ([[Genesis 37:5-11]]), or Paul's vision in Troas ([[Acts 16:9]]). This singular, yet pivotal, occurrence clearly establishes לֵילְיָא as referring to the nighttime, perfectly aligning with its Hebrew counterpart and the broader biblical understanding of nocturnal revelation.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Hebrew Cognate:** The most significant related word is the Hebrew לַיְלָה (`{{H3915}}`), which also means "night." The close linguistic relationship between לֵילְיָא and לַיְלָה underscores the shared understanding of this fundamental temporal concept across Hebrew and Aramaic. Both terms delineate the period of darkness in contrast to daylight (יוֹם, yôm, `{{H3117}}`).
* **Thematic Connections:**
* **Divine Revelation and Dreams:** As exemplified in [[Daniel 2:19]], night is frequently portrayed as a favored setting for divine communication, dreams, and visions ([[Genesis 15:1]], [[Genesis 20:3]], [[Job 33:15]]). It suggests a time when the distractions of the day fade, allowing for heightened spiritual receptivity.
* **Rest and Sleep:** Naturally, night is associated with rest, sleep, and recuperation ([[Psalm 4:8]], [[Psalm 127:2]]).
* **Darkness and Evil (Metaphorical):** While not the primary sense in [[Daniel 2:19]], "night" can metaphorically represent spiritual darkness, ignorance, or the realm where evil deeds are perpetrated ([[John 3:19]], [[Romans 13:12]], [[Ephesians 5:11]]). However, in the context of Daniel's vision, it is clearly a time of divine illumination, not moral darkness.
* **Temporal Order and Creation:** In the biblical creation narrative, "night" is established as an integral part of the divinely ordered rhythm of time, distinct from "day" ([[Genesis 1:5]]).
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular biblical occurrence, the use of לֵילְיָא in [[Daniel 2:19]] carries profound theological weight. It highlights God's absolute sovereignty over all aspects of creation, including time itself. The fact that God chooses the "night" to reveal profound mysteries to Daniel underscores His ability to illuminate even the darkest hours and to communicate His will in unexpected ways.
The "night vision" signifies that divine communication is not limited by human perception, the physical constraints of daylight, or the natural rhythms of life. God's truth can break through any temporal or physical barrier. This instance serves as a powerful reminder that God is active and revealing Himself even when the world is at rest or seemingly shrouded in darkness. It reinforces the theme that God's plans unfold according to His perfect timing, often in ways that defy human expectation, demonstrating His omnipotence and omnipresence.
### Summary
The Aramaic word לֵילְיָא (lêylᵉyâʼ) unequivocally means "night," serving as the direct Aramaic counterpart to the Hebrew לַיְלָה (`{{H3915}}`). Its sole biblical appearance in [[Daniel 2:19]] within the phrase "night vision" is highly significant. This unique usage profoundly illustrates God's capacity to reveal His divine secrets and truth during the hours of darkness, underscoring that divine revelation is not confined to daylight but can penetrate and illuminate even the deepest mysteries. The word, though rare, firmly grounds the narrative in the temporal reality of a divinely orchestrated moment of revelation, affirming God's omnipotence and His constant engagement with humanity.
TRV