(Aramaic) corresponding to תָּמַהּ or perhaps to שָׁאָה through the idea of sweeping to ruin (compare תָּוָה); to amaze, i.e. (reflex. by implication) take alarm; be astonied.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb `{{H8429}}` (תְּוַהּ, *tᵉvahh*) carries the primary meaning of "to be astonished" or "to be amazed." Its semantic range extends beyond mere surprise, often implying a profound, unsettling wonder that leads to alarm or dismay. The base definition suggests a correspondence to the Hebrew `{{H8539}}` (תָּמַהּ), which also signifies astonishment or wonder. However, `{{H8429}}` appears to incorporate a stronger reflexive implication: "to take alarm." This nuance is crucial, as the astonishment described by tᵉvahh is frequently accompanied by a sense of dread, fear, or a realization of impending consequence. The proposed etymological link to `{{H7582}}` (שָׁאָה), meaning "to rush, desolate, lay waste," and the comparison to `{{H8420}}` (תָּוָה), "to mark," hint at an astonishment that arises from observing or contemplating a devastating, irreversible event or a divinely imposed mark/judgment. Thus, tᵉvahh describes a state of being utterly dumbfounded, often to the point of distress or terror, in the face of the extraordinary or the catastrophic.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H8429}}` occurs exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Book of Daniel, always describing a powerful, often fear-inducing, reaction to divine revelation or intervention.
* **[[Daniel 3:24]]**: King Nebuchadnezzar is described as "astonished" (תְּוַהּ) when he sees four men, unbound and unharmed, walking in the fiery furnace, one of whom resembles "a son of the gods." This astonishment is immediate and profound, leading him to rise quickly and inquire of his counselors. Here, tᵉvahh signifies a reaction of overwhelming wonder and disbelief in the face of a supernatural miracle that defies natural law and human expectation, prompting a re-evaluation of his previous actions.
* **[[Daniel 4:19]]**: Daniel himself is "astonished" (תְּוַהּ) for a while after hearing Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation, which foretold the king's temporary madness and humiliation. Daniel's astonishment here is mixed with distress, as he understands the severe judgment awaiting the king. The word conveys not just surprise, but a deep concern and apprehension regarding the impending divine decree, highlighting the prophet's empathy and the gravity of the revelation.
* **[[Daniel 5:9]]**: King Belshazzar is "astonished" (תְּוַהּ) when he sees the mysterious handwriting on the wall during his feast. This astonishment is explicitly linked to his "countenance changed" and his "knees knocking together," indicating extreme terror and physical distress. The word here powerfully conveys a reaction of abject fear and bewilderment in the face of an unknown, supernatural sign of impending judgment and doom.
In each instance, `{{H8429}}` describes a human encounter with the divine that elicits not just intellectual surprise, but a visceral, emotional, and often fearful response, leading to a significant shift in perception or action.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary Hebrew parallel to `{{H8429}}` is `{{H8539}}` (תָּמַהּ, *tamah*), meaning "to be astonished, amazed, wonder." While both words denote a state of wonder, tᵉvahh in its Danielic context consistently carries a stronger connotation of alarm, terror, or deep concern than tamah typically does. Other related concepts include:
* **Fear and Dread**: Words like `{{H6342}}` (פַּחַד, *pachad*, "terror, dread") or `{{H3372}}` (יָרֵא, *yare',* "to fear, revere") share the element of apprehension. However, tᵉvahh often initiates with an unexpected sight or revelation, leading to fear, whereas pachad or yare' can describe a more general state of fear or reverence.
* **Wonder and Awe**: While `{{H6426}}` (פָּלָא, *pala',* "to be wonderful, extraordinary") describes the *cause* of wonder, tᵉvahh describes the *human reaction* to such a phenomenon. tᵉvahh combines the awe of pala' with the alarm of pachad, creating a unique semantic blend.
* **Distress and Perplexity**: The element of being "taken alarm" aligns tᵉvahh with words describing mental or emotional distress, such as `{{H926}}` (בָּהַל, *bahal*, "to be terrified, dismayed, hastened"). However, tᵉvahh usually precedes and causes such distress, rather than merely describing it.
The distinctiveness of `{{H8429}}` lies in its portrayal of an astonishment that is not merely intellectual or curious, but profoundly impactful, often unsettling, and leading to a recognition of overwhelming power or impending judgment.
### Theological Significance
The consistent use of `{{H8429}}` in Daniel highlights a key theological theme: the human response to divine sovereignty and revelation. In each instance, the astonishment described by tᵉvahh serves as a powerful indicator of God's active involvement in human affairs and His ultimate control over kings and kingdoms.
* **Divine Manifestation**: The word describes the reaction to God's miraculous power (the fiery furnace), His prophetic insight (Daniel's interpretation), and His direct judgment (the handwriting on the wall). This astonishment underscores the supernatural, incomprehensible nature of God's actions, which transcend human understanding and defy natural laws.
* **Conviction and Recognition**: The tᵉvahh experience often leads to a moment of profound realization. Nebuchadnezzar's astonishment leads him to acknowledge the "Most High God." Belshazzar's terror, though not leading to repentance, forces him to confront the reality of divine judgment.
* **The Weight of Revelation**: For Daniel, his astonishment reflects the heavy burden of prophetic knowledge, particularly when it concerns the fate of powerful rulers. It showcases the prophet's spiritual sensitivity and the gravity of bearing God's word.
* **Awe and Dread**: The blend of wonder and alarm inherent in tᵉvahh encapsulates the dual nature of encountering the holy: it is both glorious and terrifying. It reminds humanity of its finite nature before an infinite, just, and powerful God, whose ways are often unsettling to the proud and self-sufficient. This "astonishment" serves as a catalyst for acknowledging divine authority, even if that acknowledgment is born of fear rather than reverence.
### Summary
`{{H8429}}` (תְּוַהּ, *tᵉvahh*) is an Aramaic verb meaning "to be astonished" or "to be amazed," with a significant secondary implication of "taking alarm." Its usage in the Book of Daniel consistently describes a profound, often fear-inducing, human reaction to supernatural events or divine revelations. Whether it is Nebuchadnezzar witnessing a miracle in the fiery furnace, Daniel comprehending a weighty prophecy, or Belshazzar confronting a divine judgment, tᵉvahh conveys an astonishment that is not merely intellectual curiosity but a visceral, unsettling encounter with the overwhelming power and sovereignty of God. This word powerfully illustrates the human experience of awe, wonder, and dread when confronted with the divine, often leading to a forced recognition of God's authority and an awareness of impending consequences.
TRV