The Aramaic word shêgâl, represented by H7695, refers to a (legitimate) queen; wife. This specific term appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. It is used exclusively to denote a royal consort or the official wife of a king, distinguishing her from other women in the royal court.
In the biblical narrative, H7695 appears only in the book of Daniel, during the account of King Belshazzar's feast. The word is used consistently to identify the king's wives who were present. Belshazzar commanded that the sacred golden and silver vessels from the Jerusalem temple be brought out so that he, his princes, his wives, and his concubines could drink wine from them Daniel 5:2. This act of sacrilege, in which the wives participated, is a central element of the scene Daniel 5:3 and is recounted as part of the charge against Belshazzar for lifting himself up against the Lord of heaven Daniel 5:23.
Several related Aramaic words provide a fuller context for the royal court described in Daniel 5:
- H3904 lᵉchênâh (a concubine): This word appears in direct parallel to shêgâl in all three instances. The text consistently lists the king's wives H7695 and his concubines H3904, drawing a clear distinction between the two roles within the royal household Daniel 5:2.
- H7261 rabrᵉbân (a magnate; lord, prince): This term refers to the high-ranking officials or nobles of the kingdom. The king's court at the feast is consistently described as being composed of his princes, his wives, and his concubines, illustrating the full assembly of the royal entourage Daniel 5:3.
The narrative significance of H7695 is tied directly to the judgment against Belshazzar.
- Communal Sacrilege: The explicit inclusion of the wives H7695 demonstrates that the desecration of the temple vessels was not an act of the king alone, but a communal affair involving his entire inner circle Daniel 5:23.
- Royal Corruption: The term helps to illustrate the depth of the court's irreverence. The participation of the legitimate wives in the blasphemous feast highlights a comprehensive moral and spiritual decay at the highest levels of the Babylonian kingdom.
- Defined Roles in Profanity: The careful distinction between wives and concubines underscores the organized nature of the court, while simultaneously showing that all levels of the royal family were complicit in the profane use of sacred items Daniel 5:2.
In summary, H7695 is a precise term for a royal wife or queen, used exclusively within the context of Daniel 5. It is not merely a label but a key detail in the narrative, defining who participated in Belshazzar's feast. The word's usage emphasizes the collective nature of the sacrilege, implicating the king's legitimate wives in the profane act that led directly to the downfall of his kingdom.
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