The Aramaic word paç, represented by H6447, refers to the palm of the hand as it is spread out. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, both of which describe a single, pivotal event in the book of Daniel. In context, it is translated as the part of the hand that was seen writing a message of judgment on a palace wall.
Both occurrences of H6447 are found in the narrative of King Belshazzar's feast. The word is used to specify the portion of a supernatural hand that became visible. King Belshazzar saw "the part of the hand that wrote" the message on the wall, a sight that terrified him Daniel 5:5. The term is repeated to emphasize the divine origin of this event, stating that "the part of the hand" was sent directly from God to deliver the written judgment Daniel 5:24.
Several related Aramaic words provide a fuller context for the actions associated with H6447:
- H3028 yad: This is the word for hand, which is used to indicate power or means. It appears alongside paç in both instances (Daniel 5:5, 5:24). Its broader usage highlights divine power, as in the declaration that none can stay God's hand Daniel 4:35 or that a person's very breath is in God's hand Daniel 5:23.
- H3790 kᵉthab: This verb means to write or grave. It is the action performed by the paç, as the king saw "the part of the hand that wrote" Daniel 5:5. This same word is used when Daniel wrote down his own visions Daniel 7:1.
- H3792 kᵉthâb: This noun refers to something written, a record, or a book. It is the direct result of the action of the paç. The message created by the hand is called "this writing" Daniel 5:24, which the king's wise men were unable to read Daniel 5:8.
The theological significance of H6447 is concentrated in its specific narrative context.
- Manifestation of Divine Judgment: The appearance of the paç is the direct instrument of God's judgment. The event occurs immediately after King Belshazzar profanes the vessels of God's house, and the text explicitly states the hand was sent because the king had not glorified the God "in whose hand thy breath is" Daniel 5:23-24.
- Tangible Expression of God's Power: The term is inseparable from the concept of God's hand H3028, a symbol of His absolute sovereignty. The disembodied paç serves as a stark, physical demonstration of the power of the God who delivers His people from the hand of kings Daniel 3:17 and whose hand no one can stay Daniel 4:35.
- Supernatural Divine Communication: The act of the paç writing on the wall illustrates God communicating His will without a human agent. The resulting writing H3792 is "sent from him" Daniel 5:24 and is initially mysterious, requiring a divinely prepared interpreter to reveal its meaning.
In summary, H6447 is a highly specific term, exclusively used to describe the part of the hand in the miraculous event of the writing on the wall. Its meaning is entirely derived from this singular, dramatic moment of divine intervention. While rare, paç plays a crucial role in illustrating the certainty of God's judgment and His ultimate power over earthly rulers, demonstrating His ability to communicate His sovereign decree in a direct and unforgettable manner.
TRV