(Aramaic) from עֲלַל; (only in plural as singular) the setting (of the sun); going down.
Transliteration:mêʻâl
Pronunciation:may-awl'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word `{{H4606}}` (מֵעָל, *mêʻâl*) is derived from the root `{{H5954}}` (עֲלַל, *ʻalal*), which fundamentally means "to go in, enter, or come." In the specific context of `{{H4606}}`, this root takes on the specialized meaning of the "going down" or "setting" of a celestial body, most notably the sun. While grammatically noted as being "only in plural as singular," this nuance does not significantly alter its core semantic function as denoting the descent of the sun below the horizon. Its semantic range is thus tightly focused on this singular temporal event, marking the transition from day to night. It describes the physical act of the sun's disappearance, which in turn signifies the conclusion of a day's period.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H4606}}` appears exclusively in the book of Daniel, specifically in two closely related verses:
* **[[Daniel 6:14]]**: "Then the king, when he heard these words, was greatly distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel; and he labored till the going down of the sun to rescue him." Here, `{{H4606}}` marks the temporal limit of King Darius's desperate efforts to save Daniel. The phrase "till the going down of the sun" (עַד מֵעָלֵי שִׁמְשָׁא) emphasizes the king's intense, day-long struggle against an unchangeable law, highlighting the urgency and the eventual exhaustion of his human power and legal maneuvering. The setting sun becomes a symbolic deadline, signifying the point beyond which earthly intervention would be futile.
* **[[Daniel 6:15]]**: "Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, 'Recall, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.'" Although `{{H4606}}` itself is not present in this verse, the context directly follows [[Daniel 6:14]] and underscores the immutability of the law *after* the sun's setting. The "going down of the sun" in [[Daniel 6:14]] therefore serves as the critical moment when the king's window of opportunity closes, and the irreversible nature of the decree regarding Daniel's fate becomes absolute. The setting sun thus signifies a point of no return, a transition from potential reprieve to inevitable execution according to human law.
In both instances, `{{H4606}}` functions as a precise temporal marker, defining the end of a day and, more critically, the cessation of a period of human agency and the onset of a divinely orchestrated outcome.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the Aramaic root `{{H5954}}` (עֲלַל, *ʻalal*), from which `{{H4606}}` is derived. This root's general meaning of "to go in" or "to enter" is specialized in `{{H4606}}` to describe the sun's "entry" below the horizon.
In Hebrew, parallel concepts for the setting of the sun include forms of `{{H935}}` (בּוֹא, *boʼ*), which can mean "to come" or "to go in," and is frequently used to describe the setting of the sun (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 24:13]], "when the sun goes down"). The noun `{{H8121}}` (שֶׁמֶשׁ, *shemesh*), meaning "sun," is often used in conjunction with verbs denoting its movement, such as setting.
Conceptually, `{{H4606}}` relates to:
* **Time and Temporality:** It marks the end of a day, a fixed point in time.
* **Transition:** The shift from day to night, from light to darkness.
* **Finality/Irreversibility:** In the context of Daniel, it signifies the point at which human efforts cease to be effective, and a decree becomes unchangeable.
* **Urgency:** The "till the going down of the sun" implies a race against time.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H4606}}` is a descriptive term for a natural phenomenon, its specific placement in the narrative of Daniel carries profound theological weight. The "going down of the sun" in [[Daniel 6:14]] is not merely a statement of time but a pivotal moment in the unfolding of God's providence.
1. **Limitation of Human Power:** The king's fervent efforts "till the going down of the sun" underscore the limits of human authority and intervention. Despite his royal power and genuine desire to save Daniel, Darius was ultimately bound by the unchangeable laws of his kingdom. The setting sun marks the boundary where human capability ends, paving the way for divine action.
2. **Timing of Divine Intervention:** It is precisely at this point of human helplessness, when all earthly hope and legal recourse are exhausted, that God's miraculous intervention is set to occur. The "going down of the sun" signifies the moment when Daniel is cast into the lion's den, an act that seems to seal his doom but instead becomes the stage for God's glorious deliverance. This highlights a recurring biblical theme: God often acts most powerfully when human strength has failed and the situation appears hopeless (cf. [[Exodus 14:13-14]]).
3. **Symbolism of Darkness and Light:** The transition from day (light) to night (darkness) can symbolize the period of trial, uncertainty, or impending judgment. Yet, even in this encroaching darkness, God's faithfulness shines through. The setting sun, while marking the end of the king's efforts, also ushers in the time for God's sovereign plan to unfold, demonstrating that His light and power are not diminished by human limitations or the cover of night.
4. **Sovereignty of God over Time and Events:** The fixed, natural progression of the sun's setting, beyond human control, serves as a subtle reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation and all events. The "deadline" imposed by the setting sun, though seemingly a human construct, is ultimately part of God's perfect timing for Daniel's vindication and His own glory.
### Summary
`{{H4606}}` (מֵעָל, *mêʻâl*) is an Aramaic term derived from `{{H5954}}` (עֲלַל), specifically denoting the "going down" or "setting" of the sun. Its limited but crucial occurrences in [[Daniel 6:14]] and [[Daniel 6:15]] establish it as a precise temporal marker signifying the end of the day and, more profoundly, a critical deadline. Contextually, the "going down of the sun" represents the exhaustion of human power and legal recourse, setting the stage for the inevitable unfolding of events according to the king's unchangeable decree. Theologically, this seemingly simple temporal phrase underscores the limits of human agency and the perfect timing of divine intervention. It highlights God's sovereignty, demonstrating that His miraculous deliverance often manifests precisely when human efforts cease and the situation appears most dire, transforming a moment of human despair into a testament to divine faithfulness.
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