The Aramaic word ʼărûw, represented by H718, is an interjection translated as lo! or behold, lo. It is a rare term, appearing just 5 times across 5 unique verses in scripture. Its function is to draw attention to a significant event or figure being described, particularly within a visionary context.
In the biblical narrative, H718 is used exclusively in the book of Daniel, chapter 7, to punctuate the prophet's night visions. Daniel repeatedly uses the term to introduce the next major element of the divine revelation. It signals the appearance of the four great beasts, such as when he states, "And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear" Daniel 7:5, and later, "behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible" Daniel 7:7. The word culminates in its use to introduce the climactic figure of the vision: "and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven" Daniel 7:13.
The context of H718 is clarified by several related Aramaic words for seeing and visions:
- H2370 chăzâʼ (to gaze upon; behold, see): This verb for seeing is used by Daniel each time he introduces a vision containing H718. He states "I saw in my vision by night, and, behold..." Daniel 7:2, establishing that what follows is a supernatural sight.
- H1934 hâvâʼ (to exist; be, behold, see): This word for being or seeing is frequently paired with H2370, as in the phrase "I saw" or "I beheld" Daniel 7:6. It helps form the observational framework for the visions.
- H2376 chêzêv (a sight; look, vision): This noun confirms that the context for H718 is a prophetic "vision." Daniel states that he "saw in the night visions, and, behold" Daniel 7:13, directly linking the interjection to a revelatory experience.
The significance of H718 is tied directly to its role in prophetic revelation.
- A Marker of Revelation: The word acts as a verbal pointer, commanding the audience to pay close attention to what is being revealed. It separates and highlights the key symbolic figures within Daniel's vision, from the four winds Daniel 7:2 to the four beasts (Daniel 7:5, Daniel 7:7).
- Building Prophetic Sequence: Its repeated use creates a dramatic, sequential unveiling of the prophecy. Each "behold" or "lo" introduces a new phase of the vision, guiding the reader from one scene to the next with a sense of importance and divine ordering Daniel 7:6.
- Focusing on Key Figures: The term is instrumental in drawing focus to the central actors of the vision, particularly the "one like the Son of man" Daniel 7:13. The use of "behold" at this moment marks it as the apex of the revelation.
In summary, H718 is far more than a simple interjection. It is a key structural device used in the Aramaic prophecies of Daniel to signal the unfolding of a divine vision. By commanding the reader to "behold," it underscores the weight and significance of the figures and events being described, framing them as direct and momentous revelations from God.
TRV