The Aramaic word rᵉgaz, represented by H7266, denotes violent anger; rage. It is a highly specific term, appearing only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its sole usage captures a moment of intense, furious emotion from a monarch.
The single appearance of H7266 is found in the narrative of King Nebuchadnezzar. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship his golden image, the king's response is described with this word. The scripture states that Nebuchadnezzar H5020 in his rage H7266 and fury H2528 commanded H560 them to be brought before him Daniel 3:13. This act sets the stage for the trial in the fiery furnace.
Several related words provide context for this expression of royal anger:
- H2528 chĕmâʼ (anger; fury): Used alongside rᵉgaz to intensify the description of Nebuchadnezzar's emotional state, translated as "fury" Daniel 3:13. It is also used to describe his state later in the chapter when he commands the furnace to be heated Daniel 3:19.
- H5020 Nᵉbûwkadnetstsar ({Nebukadnetstsar...king of Babylon}; Nebuchadnezzar): The specific individual whose rage is described. His actions are central to the context of the event Daniel 3:13.
- H4430 melek (a king; king, royal): This word establishes the authority of the one feeling the rage. Nebuchadnezzar's status as king is what gives his anger its life-threatening power Daniel 3:13.
- H560 ʼămar ({to say...}; command, declare, say, speak, tell): This action word is directly linked to the king's rage, as he commanded Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought before him as a result of his anger Daniel 3:13.
While appearing only once, H7266 is part of a significant theological narrative.
- The Rage of Defied Authority: The word highlights the intense and dangerous reaction of an earthly king H4430 when his divine pretensions are challenged. Nebuchadnezzar's rage is a direct response to the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to serve his gods Daniel 3:12-13.
- Human Fury vs. Divine Deliverance: This rage H7266 acts as a catalyst for a confrontation between the king's power and God's power. Nebuchadnezzar's fury leads him to heat a furnace Daniel 3:19, but this very act sets the scene for God to deliver His servants, an event the king himself later acknowledges Daniel 3:28.
- A Precursor to Judgment: The king's rage results in a command to bring the men before him Daniel 3:13. This action initiates a trial that ultimately reveals the integrity of the accused and the sovereignty of their God over the furious king.
In summary, rᵉgaz H7266 is a concise but potent Aramaic term for violent anger. Its sole biblical appearance in the book of Daniel is unforgettable, capturing the explosive rage of King Nebuchadnezzar. It serves as the emotional flashpoint that propels the narrative of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego toward their trial by fire, powerfully illustrating the conflict between the fury of an earthly ruler and unwavering faith in a sovereign God.
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