The Aramaic word nᵉdad, represented by H5075, corresponds to a root meaning to depart or go from. It is a rare term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire biblical text. Its sole usage describes the flight or departure of something intangible.
The single biblical application of H5075 occurs in the narrative of Daniel in the lions' den. After King Darius seals the den, he returns to his palace in great distress. The verse describes his troubled state, noting that "his sleep went from him" Daniel 6:18. Here, nᵉdad is used to personify the king's sleep, depicting it as something that has actively departed or fled due to his overwhelming anxiety and fasting.
Several Aramaic words found in the same verse provide context for the departure of the king's sleep:
- H8139 shᵉnâh ({sleep}; sleep): This is the subject that performs the action of departing. The king's sleep is what went from him, making this word the direct counterpart to H5075 in the passage.
- H956 bûwth (to lodge over night; pass the night): This word establishes the setting. The king was attempting to pass the night, the normal time for sleep, but his sleep departed instead.
- H2908 ṭᵉvâth (hunger (as twisting); fasting): This describes another of the king's actions, highlighting the depth of his agitation. His fasting was a component of his distress, which culminated in his inability to sleep.
While the term H5075 is used only once, its context carries significant weight. It contributes to a specific theological picture.
- Consequence of Human Decree: The king's sleep departs as a direct consequence of his decree against Daniel and his subsequent worry. The use of nᵉdad illustrates the profound internal turmoil experienced by a powerful ruler when confronted with the potential outcomes of his actions against a servant of God.
- Physical Manifestation of Anxiety: The word powerfully captures the physical effect of emotional and spiritual distress. Sleep does not simply evade the king; it actively flees or departs from him, emphasizing the severity of his state.
- Narrative Tension: The departure of the king's sleep heightens the narrative tension before Daniel's miraculous deliverance is revealed. The king's restless night stands in stark contrast to the divine protection afforded to Daniel.
In summary, H5075 nᵉdad is a precise term for "to depart." Its solitary appearance in Daniel 6:18 is a memorable one, vividly portraying the flight of sleep from a distressed king. It demonstrates how a simple verb can, through its context, convey a deep sense of psychological and spiritual agitation, adding a layer of human emotion to a story of divine intervention.
TRV