Word Study for H7985 (שׇׁלְטָן)

sholṭân /shol-tawn'/ Ask about this word

Root(Aramaic) from שְׁלֵט

Meaningempire (abstractly or concretely)

KJV usagedominion.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of sholṭân — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word sholṭân, represented by H7985, is a term for dominion, used both for an empire and for the authority to rule. It appears 14 times across 9 unique verses, exclusively within the book of Daniel. The word's usage consistently explores the theme of power, contrasting the temporary authority of earthly kingdoms with the supreme and eternal sovereignty of God.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H7985 is applied to both divine and human rule. Earthly power, like that of King Nebuchadnezzar, is described as a dominion that reaches "to the end of the earth" Daniel 4:22. Similarly, the prophetic beasts in Daniel's vision are granted temporary dominion Daniel 7:6. However, this authority is finite and is ultimately "taken away" (Daniel 7:12, Daniel 7:26). In stark contrast, God's dominion is described as "an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away" Daniel 7:14 and extends "from generation to generation" Daniel 4:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words clarify the nature and scope of dominion:

H4437 malkûw (dominion...; kingdom, kingly, realm, reign): This word for "kingdom" is frequently paired with H7985 to describe the full extent of a sovereign's rule, such as the "kingdom and dominion" that will be given to the people of the saints of the most High Daniel 7:27.
H3052 yᵉhab (to give...; deliver, give, lay...): This verb highlights that dominion is not inherently possessed but is granted by a higher authority. Authority is "given" to the beast Daniel 7:6, and an everlasting dominion is "given" to the Son of Man Daniel 7:14.
H5957 ʻâlam (remote time... forever; for (n-)ever (lasting), old): This term for "everlasting" is a key descriptor that distinguishes God's dominion from all others. His rule is repeatedly defined as an "everlasting dominion" Daniel 4:34.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H7985 is centered on the sovereignty of God over all earthly power.

Sovereign Bestowal of Authority: The concept of dominion is consistently shown as something God bestows. He gives dominion to earthly empires Daniel 7:6 and ultimately gives an everlasting dominion to a figure like a Son of Man Daniel 7:14.
The Transience of Earthly Power: The word is used to show that human and political dominion is finite. The visions in Daniel show great beasts whose dominion is taken away and will be consumed and destroyed (Daniel 7:12, Daniel 7:26).
The Eternality of Divine Rule: In direct contrast to temporary earthly power, God's dominion is explicitly defined as "everlasting" and eternal. It is a rule that will not pass away Daniel 7:14, culminating in a final, indestructible kingdom where all other dominions will serve and obey Him Daniel 7:27.

Summary

In summary, H7985 is far more than a simple term for political control. It is a cornerstone concept in the book of Daniel, establishing the fundamental distinction between the fleeting authority of men and empires and the absolute, enduring sovereignty of God. The word illustrates how all dominion is ultimately granted and governed by God, whose own dominion alone is everlasting and will stand forever.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 14 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

שָׁלְטָנֵ
שָׁלְטָן
שָׁלְטָנַיָּ
שָׁלְטָנָ

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

9 verses, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.