(Aramaic) corresponding to רָמָה; to throw, set, (figuratively) assess; cast (down), impose.
Transliteration:rᵉmâh
Pronunciation:rem-aw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb H7412 (rᵉmâh) carries a primary meaning of "to throw" or "to cast." This fundamental sense implies an action of forceful projection or deliberate placement. Its semantic range extends beyond the purely physical, encompassing figurative applications such as "to set" (as in setting a price or condition), "to assess," and "to impose." The definition explicitly notes its correspondence to the Hebrew verb `{{H7411}}` (rāmāh), indicating a shared linguistic root and often a similar conceptual domain of action involving projection or placement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic term, H7412 appears exclusively in the Aramaic sections of the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Ezra and Daniel. Its usage reveals two distinct yet related facets of its meaning:
1. **Imposition of Financial Burdens:** In Ezra, rᵉmâh is used in the context of levying taxes or tribute.
* In [[Ezra 4:20]], it describes the historical practice of mighty kings in Jerusalem who "imposed" (were paid) tribute, custom, and toll on the region beyond the River.
* Similarly, [[Ezra 7:24]] uses rᵉmâh to forbid the "imposition" of tax, tribute, or custom upon the priests, Levites, and temple servants, highlighting its meaning as the assessment or collection of financial obligations by an authority.
2. **Forcible Casting or Throwing:** In Daniel, rᵉmâh consistently describes the act of physically "casting" individuals into perilous situations as a form of punishment or execution.
* The command to "cast" those who refuse to worship the golden image into the fiery furnace is repeated several times concerning Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego ([[Daniel 3:6]], [[Daniel 3:15]], [[Daniel 3:20]], [[Daniel 3:21]]). This emphasizes the violent, decisive nature of the act.
* Likewise, Daniel is "cast" into the den of lions ([[Daniel 6:16]]), and later his accusers, along with their families, are also "cast" into the same den ([[Daniel 6:24]]).
Across these occurrences, H7412 consistently denotes an action executed by an authority figure, whether it be the imposition of a burden or the execution of a punitive measure.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is its Hebrew cognate, `{{H7411}}` (rāmāh), which also signifies "to throw," "to cast," or "to shoot." This shared root underscores the core meaning of projecting or forcefully placing something or someone. Conceptually, H7412 is linked to:
* **Authority and Sovereignty:** The ability to "impose" taxes or "cast" individuals into danger is an exercise of power, particularly royal or governmental authority.
* **Judgment and Consequence:** In Daniel, the act of casting is a direct consequence of disobedience or accusation, functioning as a form of judicial punishment.
* **Burden and Obligation:** In Ezra, rᵉmâh relates to the financial burdens and obligations placed upon a populace by their rulers.
* **Divine Intervention:** Paradoxically, while rᵉmâh describes human acts of imposition or punishment, the narratives in Daniel highlight God's power to intervene and deliver from the very situations into which His servants are cast.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H7412 is profound, particularly in the dramatic narratives of Daniel. While the word describes the actions of human authorities, it serves as a powerful backdrop against which God's ultimate sovereignty and delivering power are magnified.
In the context of taxation (Ezra), rᵉmâh reflects the practical realities of governance and the human systems of authority that God permits to exist. It speaks to the burdens and structures of earthly kingdoms.
However, it is in Daniel that H7412 achieves its most striking theological resonance. The repeated act of "casting" God's faithful servants into seemingly inescapable death traps (the fiery furnace, the lion's den) represents the pinnacle of human malice, absolute power, and the ultimate test of faith. Yet, in each instance, God demonstrates His ability to nullify the intended destructive outcome of what humans "cast" or "impose." The miraculous preservation of Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego, and Daniel reveals that God's power transcends human decrees, physical forces, and the most severe forms of earthly judgment.
Thus, H7412 underscores the contrast between finite human power, which can "cast down" or "impose," and infinite divine power, which can deliver from such impositions and turn intended harm into a testament to His glory and faithfulness. It highlights the truth that while humans may cast, God ultimately holds the power to rescue and redeem.
### Summary
H7412 (rᵉmâh) is an Aramaic verb primarily meaning "to throw" or "to cast," with an extended semantic range that includes "to set," "to assess," and "to impose." Found in the Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel, its usage falls into two main categories: the *imposition* of taxes or financial burdens by authorities ([[Ezra 4:20]], [[Ezra 7:24]]) and the *forcible casting* of individuals into dangerous situations as punishment ([[Daniel 3:6]], [[Daniel 3:15]], [[Daniel 3:20]], [[Daniel 3:21]], [[Daniel 6:16]], [[Daniel 6:24]]). Thematically linked to the Hebrew `{{H7411}}`, H7412 illuminates the exercise of human power and authority. Theologically, it serves as a powerful foil in the book of Daniel, where human attempts to "cast down" God's faithful servants are ultimately thwarted by God's sovereign and miraculous deliverance, thereby magnifying His ultimate authority over all earthly powers and adversities.
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