(Aramaic) corresponding to קָבַל; to acquire; receive, take.
Transliteration:qᵉbal
Pronunciation:keb-al'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb qᵉbal (`{{H6902}}`) serves as the Aramaic cognate to the Hebrew qābal (`{{H6901}}`). Its core meaning encompasses "to receive," "to take," and "to acquire." The semantic range suggests an active process of gaining possession or accepting something offered, rather than a passive experience. This can involve the reception of physical objects, abstract concepts like authority, or even verbal communications. The nuance of "acquiring" implies a successful obtaining or coming into possession of something.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word qᵉbal (`{{H6902}}`) appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Daniel and Ezra.
In the book of Daniel, its uses are particularly illustrative:
* [[Daniel 2:6]]: King Nebuchadnezzar promises that those who reveal his dream and its interpretation will "receive gifts, rewards, and great honor." Here, qᵉbal signifies the acceptance of royal favor and material blessings.
* [[Daniel 2:9]]: The king accuses the Chaldean wise men of attempting "to receive a lying and corrupt word" (i.e., to agree upon a false interpretation) to speak before him. This usage highlights the reception or acceptance of a deceptive message.
* [[Daniel 5:31]]: This is a highly significant theological occurrence: "Darius the Mede received the kingdom." This phrase denotes the transfer of sovereignty and the act of taking possession of royal authority. It is not merely an inheritance but an active reception of power, implicitly from a higher, divine source.
* [[Daniel 6:7]] (Aramaic [[Daniel 6:8]] in some versions): The satraps and governors propose a royal statute, stating that whoever makes a petition to any god or man other than the king for thirty days shall be cast into the den of lions. This is framed as a decree that the king must "receive" or confirm. It denotes the acceptance and ratification of a legislative act.
In the book of Ezra, qᵉbal appears once:
* [[Ezra 7:16]]: King Artaxerxes instructs Ezra to "receive silver and gold" from Babylon for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Here, it refers to the acceptance and acquisition of material resources for a sacred purpose.
Across these contexts, qᵉbal consistently describes the act of taking possession, accepting, or acquiring something of significance, whether it be gifts, a kingdom, a decree, or resources.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation is to its Hebrew cognate, qābal (`{{H6901}}`), which also means "to receive," "to take," or "to accept." This strong correspondence reinforces the core meaning of qᵉbal in Aramaic.
Conceptually, qᵉbal relates to:
* **Lāqaḥ (`{{H3947}}`)**: A common Hebrew verb meaning "to take," "to seize," "to acquire," or "to receive." While lāqaḥ has a broader semantic range, it often overlaps with qᵉbal in the sense of obtaining something.
* **Nāgaš (`{{H5060}}`)**: "To approach," "to draw near." In some contexts, approaching can precede or imply receiving, such as drawing near to receive instruction or judgment.
* **Obedience and Submission:** The act of "receiving" a decree or a kingdom implies a subsequent act of obedience or submission to the authority that has been received.
* **Provision and Acquisition:** In contexts like [[Ezra 7:16]], qᵉbal is tied to the concept of divine provision and the human act of acquiring necessary resources.
Antonymously, qᵉbal stands in contrast to "to give," "to refuse," or "to reject."
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of qᵉbal (`{{H6902}}`) is most profoundly evident in [[Daniel 5:31]], where Darius the Mede "received the kingdom." This statement, following the dramatic fall of Babylon and Belshazzar's sacrilege, powerfully underscores the biblical theme of **divine sovereignty over earthly kingdoms**. The transfer of power is not merely a human political maneuver but an act of divine appointment and the human act of "receiving" is an acknowledgment of this ultimate authority. God is the one who "removes kings and sets up kings" ([[Daniel 2:21]]), and the act of qᵉbal by Darius signifies his acceptance of a kingdom divinely ordained for him.
Furthermore, the instances of "receiving a decree" ([[Daniel 6:7]]) highlight the importance of **human response to authority**, whether it be earthly or divine. While the focus is on royal decrees, the broader principle applies to receiving God's commands or revelation. The act of receiving implies a responsibility to acknowledge, accept, and potentially obey.
The use in [[Ezra 7:16]] where Ezra "received silver and gold" for the Temple, points to **God's provision for His people and His work**. The resources, though coming through human hands, are ultimately seen as divinely provided for the restoration of worship.
Even the negative instance of "receiving a lying and corrupt word" ([[Daniel 2:9]]) carries theological weight, emphasizing the **human capacity for discernment and the responsibility to reject falsehood**.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb qᵉbal (`{{H6902}}`) precisely conveys the action of "receiving," "taking," or "acquiring." Its occurrences in Daniel and Ezra consistently highlight significant acts of reception, ranging from material gifts and resources to royal decrees and, most notably, the transfer of a kingdom. The theological weight of qᵉbal is particularly profound in [[Daniel 5:31]], where Darius "received" the kingdom, pointing to God's ultimate sovereignty in bestowing and removing earthly power. The word consistently underscores the human act of accepting what is presented, whether it be a divine mandate, a royal edict, or material provision, thereby emphasizing both human responsibility in reception and the divine hand often behind the offering.
TRV