The Aramaic word tsᵉbûw, represented by H6640, conveys the meaning of a purpose. Derived from a root word for "will," it concretely refers to an affair as a matter of determination. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, making its singular usage highly specific.
The sole appearance of H6640 is in Daniel 6:17. In this narrative, after Daniel is cast into the lions' den, a stone is brought and laid upon the mouth of the den. The king then seals the stone with his own signet and the signet of his lords. The scripture explicitly states this is done so "that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel," locking in the decided course of action and making it official and seemingly irreversible.
Several related words from the immediate context illuminate the meaning of H6640:
- H2857 chătham (to seal): This action makes the king's purpose official. The king sealed the den to enforce his will Daniel 6:17.
- H8133 shᵉnâʼ (to alter): This is the outcome the king seeks to prevent. The seal ensures that the purpose concerning Daniel cannot be changed Daniel 6:17.
- H4430 melek (a king): The word is used in the context of a royal decree. It is the king who establishes and seals the purpose, demonstrating the authority behind the affair Daniel 6:17.
The theological weight of H6640 is tied to its context of authority and unchangeable decrees.
- Finality of a Decree: The word is used to describe a determined affair that is formally settled. The king's sealing of the den was meant to make the purpose final and prevent any interference or reversal Daniel 6:17.
- Unalterable Intention: The phrase "that the purpose might not be changed" Daniel 6:17 directly links H6640 to the concept of an irrevocable will. It represents a decision that has been made and is now set in motion, protected from alteration by a royal seal.
- Human Authority: The context demonstrates the power of a human king H4430 to establish a binding purpose. The narrative uses this word to underscore the gravity of the royal command that has trapped Daniel.
In summary, H6640 is a potent, if rare, Aramaic term. It denotes more than a simple idea; it signifies a determined purpose or a formally decided affair. Its singular use in scripture, tied to a king's seal and an unchangeable decree, powerfully illustrates the concept of an established will that is meant to be absolute and final.
TRV