(Aramaic) corresponding to סָגַר; {to shut up; figuratively, to surrender}; shut up.
Transliteration:çᵉgar
Pronunciation:seg-ar'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb סְגַר (çᵉgar), Strong's number `{{H5463}}`, carries a primary meaning of "to shut up" or "to close." This refers to a physical act of sealing or confining. Beyond this literal sense, the word extends to a significant figurative meaning: "to surrender" or "to deliver up." This dual semantic range is crucial for understanding its usage in the biblical Aramaic texts. It directly corresponds to the Hebrew verb סָגַר (H5462), which shares a similar breadth of meaning, encompassing both physical closure and the act of handing over or giving up.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Occurrences of סְגַר (çᵉgar) in the biblical Aramaic portions are found exclusively in the book of Daniel, illustrating both facets of its semantic range:
1. **Literal "shutting":** In [[Daniel 6:22]], Daniel testifies to King Darius, "My God has sent his angel and has **shut** the mouths of the lions, so that they have not harmed me." Here, סְגַר clearly denotes the physical act of closing or sealing, preventing the lions from doing harm. This context highlights divine intervention and protection.
2. **Figurative "delivering" or "making known":** In [[Daniel 2:23]], Daniel offers praise to God, saying, "To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now **made known** to me what we asked of you." While some translations render this as "made known" or "revealed," the underlying Aramaic סְגַר implies God "delivering" or "handing over" the secret or wisdom to Daniel. This demonstrates God's role as the revealer of mysteries and the source of divine knowledge.
These two distinct uses within Daniel showcase the versatility of H5463, moving from a concrete physical action to a more abstract, revelatory one.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is its Hebrew counterpart, סָגַר (H5462). This Hebrew verb is widely used in the Old Testament and encompasses a similar range of meanings:
* **Physical closure:** "to shut" a door, gate, or womb ([[Genesis 7:16]], [[Judges 3:22]]).
* **Confinement/Imprisonment:** "to shut up" a person or group ([[Jeremiah 32:2]], [[Lamentations 3:8]]).
* **Deliverance/Surrender:** "to deliver up" into the hand of an enemy or an adversary ([[Deuteronomy 32:30]], [[1 Samuel 23:12]]).
The conceptual connections extend to themes of divine control, whether through physical boundaries (shutting the mouths of lions) or through the sovereign act of revealing truth or handing over circumstances. The idea of "delivery" can also imply a form of judgment or a preordained outcome.
### Theological Significance
The use of סְגַר (çᵉgar) carries profound theological weight, particularly in the book of Daniel, where divine sovereignty is a central theme.
1. **Divine Protection and Preservation:** In the context of Daniel in the lion's den ([[Daniel 6:22]]), God's act of "shutting" the lions' mouths is a powerful demonstration of His omnipotence and His unwavering commitment to protect His faithful servants. It signifies that no earthly power or natural threat can prevail against those whom God chooses to preserve. This act underscores God's active involvement in the lives of His people, intervening supernaturally to ensure their safety.
2. **Divine Revelation and Wisdom:** In [[Daniel 2:23]], God "delivers" or "makes known" the king's dream and its interpretation to Daniel. This highlights God as the ultimate source of all wisdom and knowledge, capable of revealing hidden truths and future events. It emphasizes that true understanding and insight come from divine disclosure, not human ingenuity. This aspect of H5463 points to God's role as the great revealer of mysteries, particularly concerning His plans and purposes for history.
3. **Sovereign Control:** Across both literal and figurative uses, H5463 speaks to God's absolute control over all circumstances—whether it is the natural world (lions) or the realm of human knowledge and destiny (dreams and interpretations). God is portrayed as the one who opens and shuts, reveals and conceals, according to His divine will.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb סְגַר (çᵉgar), `{{H5463}}`, is a versatile term meaning both "to shut up" or "to close" and, figuratively, "to surrender" or "to deliver up." Its occurrences in the book of Daniel powerfully illustrate these two senses. In [[Daniel 6:22]], it describes God's miraculous act of "shutting" the mouths of the lions to protect Daniel, emphasizing divine preservation. In [[Daniel 2:23]], it conveys God "delivering" or "making known" profound wisdom and revelation to Daniel, underscoring God as the source of all knowledge. As the Aramaic counterpart to the Hebrew סָגַר (H5462), H5463 consistently points to God's sovereign control over physical realities and the unfolding of divine truth, affirming His omnipotence and His active engagement in human affairs.
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