The Aramaic word çᵉgar, represented by H5463, means to shut up. Corresponding to the Hebrew word סָגַר, it can also figuratively mean to surrender. It is a very specific term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire biblical text, highlighting a singular, powerful act.
The sole use of çᵉgar is found in the account of Daniel in the lions' den. When explaining his miraculous survival to the king, Daniel declares, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths” Daniel 6:22. Here, the word is used in its most literal sense, describing the supernatural closure of the lions' mouths to prevent them from harming Daniel. This action is presented as a direct intervention from God.
The theological weight of çᵉgar is tied entirely to its singular context in Daniel's story.
- Divine Sovereignty: The act of shutting the lions' mouths demonstrates God's absolute power over the natural world and His ability to intervene directly to protect His people Daniel 6:22.
- Vindication of Righteousness: The miracle is explicitly linked to Daniel's integrity. He states the lions did not hurt him because “innocency was found in me” before God, and he had “done no hurt” before the king Daniel 6:22.
- Agency of Angels: The use of the word highlights the role of angels as messengers and agents of God's will. God H426 sent H7972 his angel H4398 to carry out the specific task of shutting çᵉgar the mouths.
In summary, çᵉgar is a word defined by its one powerful appearance in scripture. Meaning to shut up, its use in Daniel 6:22 is not figurative but a literal description of a divine miracle. It serves as a cornerstone of this narrative, illustrating God's power to deliver the faithful by commanding the physical world and neutralizing imminent threats.
