### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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]].
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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]].
### Summary
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.
TRV