Word Study for H852 (אָת) | Strong's Concordance

ʼâth /awth/ Ask about this word

Root(Aramaic) corresponding to אוֹת

Meaninga portent

KJV usagesign.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʼâth — 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 ʼâth, represented by H852, means a portent or sign. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. The word is used to describe divine, observable acts that demonstrate God's power and authority.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H852 is used exclusively in the book of Daniel to refer to the mighty acts of God. It is presented as a public declaration of divine power, with King Nebuchadnezzar proclaiming, "How great are his signs!" Daniel 4:3. These acts serve as evidence of God's intervention in human affairs, prompting Nebuchadnezzar to "shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me" Daniel 4:2. The term is also linked to God's acts of salvation, as He "worketh signs and wonders" to rescue His followers, such as delivering Daniel from the lions Daniel 6:27.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide a fuller context for the meaning of ʼâth:

H8540 tᵉmahh (a miracle; wonder): This word is paired with ʼâth in all of its occurrences, creating the recurring phrase "signs and wonders" to emphasize the miraculous nature of God's works (Daniel 4:2, Daniel 4:3, Daniel 6:27).
H7260 rabrab (huge (in size); domineering (in character); (very) great (things)): This adjective is used to describe the immense scale of God's signs, highlighting their undeniable impact Daniel 4:3.
H5648 ʻăbad (to do, make, prepare, keep, etc.): This verb describes the action of God performing the signs. It is stated that God "hath wrought" these signs Daniel 4:2 and that He "worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth" Daniel 6:27.
H7804 shᵉzab (to leave, i.e. (causatively) free; deliver): The purpose of God's signs is often deliverance. The power to work signs is directly connected to His ability to deliver His servants from harm Daniel 6:27.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H852 is centered on God's sovereignty and His relationship with humanity.

Divine Attestation: The signs function as undeniable proof of God's power, performed by the "high God" Daniel 4:2. They are public displays that testify to His might.
Evidence of God's Kingdom: These powerful acts are explicitly linked to the nature of God's rule. The exclamation "How great are his signs!" is immediately followed by the declaration that "his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom" Daniel 4:3.
Instrument of Salvation: God's power is not abstract; it is active and protective. He works signs and wonders as the means by which He "delivereth and rescueth" His faithful people Daniel 6:27.

Summary

In summary, H852 is a specific term used in the Aramaic sections of Daniel to denote a sign or portent from God. It is never used lightly, but always in connection with "wonders" to describe magnificent displays of divine power. These signs serve to authenticate God's supreme authority, affirm His eternal kingdom, and demonstrate His power to deliver those who trust in Him.

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 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 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.

אָתִין
אָתוֹ
אָתַיָּ

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

3 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.