### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb H6992 (קְטַל, qᵉṭal) serves as the direct Aramaic equivalent to the Hebrew H6991 (קָטַל, qāṭal). Its fundamental and consistent meaning is "to kill" or "to slay." This term denotes the act of causing the termination of life, whether by human agency or other means. In its biblical occurrences, H6992 does not exhibit a broad semantic range, consistently referring to literal acts of taking life or the decree thereof.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic word, H6992 is found exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, primarily in the book of Daniel. Its usage consistently pertains to the act of killing or the threat of it, often in contexts of royal authority and divine judgment.
* In [[Daniel 2:13]], the word appears in the context of King Nebuchadnezzar's decree to execute all the wise men of Babylon because they could not interpret his dream: "And the decree went forth that the wise men should be *slain*." This highlights the absolute and often arbitrary power of ancient monarchs over life and death.
* Immediately following, [[Daniel 2:14]] states, "...Then Arioch went to *slay* the wise men of Babylon." Here, H6992 describes the direct action of the king's captain in carrying out the deadly command, emphasizing the immediate and severe threat.
* In [[Daniel 3:22]], the verb describes the fate of those who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego into the fiery furnace: "Therefore, because the king's command was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire *killed* those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego." This occurrence illustrates a form of divine retribution or a natural consequence of proximity to overwhelming power, serving as a stark warning to those who would enforce unrighteous decrees.
* [[Daniel 5:19]] uses H6992 to describe Nebuchadnezzar's immense power, bestowed upon him by God: "...whom he would, he *killed*; and whom he would, he kept alive..." This verse underscores the monarch's supreme authority, albeit one ultimately delegated and overseen by God, over the lives of his subjects. The juxtaposition with "kept alive" emphasizes the stark choice of life or death.
Across these occurrences, H6992 consistently conveys the literal act of taking life, whether by decree, direct action, or as a consequence of divine intervention.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic parallel to H6992 is its Hebrew counterpart, H6991 (קָטַל, qāṭal), which also means "to kill" or "to slay." While H6992 is Aramaic, the conceptual field it occupies is shared with several Hebrew terms related to death and violence:
* H2026 (הָרַג, hārag): A common Hebrew verb for "to kill" or "to slay," often used in contexts of violent death, battle, or murder.
* H4191 (מוּת, mûth): The general Hebrew word for "to die," but in its causative form (hiphil), it means "to kill" or "to put to death."
* H7819 (שָׁחַט, shāḥaṭ): "To slaughter," typically used for animals in sacrifice but can also apply to the violent killing of people.
Conceptually, H6992 is intertwined with themes of judgment, execution, violence, and the exercise of authority, particularly the ultimate power over life and death.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of H6992 in Daniel carry profound theological weight, primarily highlighting the theme of divine sovereignty over life and death.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** Although human kings like Nebuchadnezzar wield immense power, including the power to "kill" ([[Daniel 5:19]]), the narrative of Daniel consistently demonstrates that this power is ultimately derived from and subject to God. God is the true arbiter of life and death, capable of raising up and bringing down rulers, and delivering His servants from deadly decrees.
* **Consequence and Judgment:** The instances where H6992 describes the killing of individuals (e.g., the wise men, the men who threw the three into the furnace) often serve as a backdrop for divine intervention or as a direct consequence of human actions. In [[Daniel 3:22]], the death of the men who cast the Hebrews into the furnace is a vivid demonstration of divine protection for the faithful and judgment against those who oppose God's will.
* **Threat and Deliverance:** The repeated threat of being "killed" ([[Daniel 2:13-14]]) underscores the perilous circumstances faced by God's people in a hostile world. However, Daniel's miraculous revelation and the deliverance of his companions from death serve as powerful testimonies to God's ability to preserve His own even in the face of overwhelming human power. This highlights that while human rulers may command death, God alone has the final say.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb H6992 (קְטַל, qᵉṭal) consistently means "to kill" or "to slay" in its limited but impactful occurrences within the book of Daniel. It describes the literal act of taking life, whether through royal decree, direct execution, or as a consequence of divine judgment. Its usage underscores the absolute power of ancient monarchs, yet more significantly, it serves as a powerful theological motif affirming God's ultimate sovereignty over life and death. The word highlights the severe consequences of defying God's will and simultaneously magnifies God's power to deliver His faithful servants from the very jaws of death.
TRV