The Aramaic word nᵉçaq, represented by H5267, means {to go up}; take up. It appears 4 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. This verb is used specifically in the book of Daniel to describe the physical act of lifting or taking someone up, often in contexts of extreme danger and royal command.
The use of H5267 is confined to two dramatic events in the book of Daniel. In one instance, after Daniel's miraculous survival, the king commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den of lions. The verse notes that Daniel was taken up from the den H1358 and was found with no hurt because he believed in his God H426 Daniel 6:23. In a contrasting event, H5267 describes the action of the men who took up Shadrach H7715, Meshach H4336, and Abednego H5665 to cast them into the fiery furnace. Because the king's H4430 commandment H4406 was urgent H2685 and the furnace H861 was exceedingly hot H228, these men were slain by the fire's flame H7631 Daniel 3:22.
Several related Aramaic words provide context for the action of nᵉçaq:
- H1358 gôb (a pit (for wild animals) (as cut out); den): This is the den from which Daniel was taken up, highlighting the place of peril from which deliverance occurred Daniel 6:23.
- H861 ʼattûwn (probably a fire-place, i.e. furnace; furnace): This is the destination for those being taken up in Daniel 3. The furnace was so exceedingly hot that its flame killed the men performing the act Daniel 3:22.
- H540 ʼăman ({properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain}; believe, faithful, sure): Daniel's act of being taken up unharmed is explicitly linked to the reason for his preservation: because he believed in his God Daniel 6:23.
The theological weight of H5267 is seen in its powerful, contrasting applications within Daniel's narratives.
- Divine Deliverance: The primary theological theme is God's power to deliver the faithful. Daniel is taken up from the den of lions completely unharmed, an event directly attributed to his belief in God Daniel 6:23. The action of being "taken up" is the physical manifestation of his salvation.
- Peril of Executing Wickedness: In the case of the fiery furnace, the act of taking up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego results in immediate death for the king's men. This demonstrates the mortal danger associated with carrying out an unrighteous command, where the instrument of judgment consumes its agents first Daniel 3:22.
- The Power of Royal Decrees: In both accounts, the action of nᵉçaq is a direct result of a king's command. This underscores how royal authority can be the catalyst for either miraculous deliverance, as when the king commands Daniel be taken up Daniel 6:23, or for tragic death, as a consequence of the king's urgent H2685 commandment Daniel 3:22.
In summary, nᵉçaq H5267 is a specific Aramaic verb meaning to take up. Though rare, its usage in the book of Daniel is pivotal, framing two of the most iconic stories of faith under pressure. It illustrates how the same physical action—lifting a person—can signify either God's miraculous deliverance for the faithful or the lethal consequences for those who execute a king's unholy decree. The word encapsulates a moment where divine power and human authority intersect, with life or death as the outcome.
TRV