Lexical Summary mare: Appearance, vision, sight Original Word: מָרֵא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lord, Lord (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to mara' in the sense of domineering; a master -- lord, Lord. see HEBREW mara' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to mara Definition lord NASB Translation Lord (2), lord (2). Topical Lexicon Scope of Usage The Aramaic noun מָרֵא appears four times, exclusively in the Aramaic chapters of Daniel (Daniel 2:47; 4:19; 4:24; 5:23). Each setting involves the Babylonian court and confronts human authority with divine sovereignty. The term functions as a title of lordship, applied both to earthly monarchs (Nebuchadnezzar) and, supremely, to “the Lord of heaven.” Narrative Settings 1. Daniel 2:47—Nebuchadnezzar, overwhelmed by the revelation of his dream, confesses: “Truly your God is indeed God of gods and Lord of kings”. The title מָרֵא (“Lord”) underscores the king’s acknowledgment that his own throne is subordinate to a higher, heavenly throne. Human versus Divine Lordship The dual use of מָרֵא establishes an intentional contrast. Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar bear the title only in a limited, derivative sense; YHWH alone is “Lord of kings.” Daniel’s narrative thus teaches that all human authority is temporary and accountable to the ultimate Lord. The term becomes a literary hinge, moving the reader’s focus from palace intrigue to God’s unassailable dominion. Theological Themes • Sovereignty: Every occurrence of מָרֵא drives home that “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind” (Daniel 4:17). Historical Backdrop In the Babylonian milieu, titles like “lord of kings” were routinely ascribed to potentates such as Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel subverts this convention by attributing the same honorific to Israel’s God. The exilic audience, living under foreign rule, would find strong reassurance that their covenant Lord reigns even in a Gentile tongue. Intercanonical Resonance Ezra 1:2 and Nehemiah 1:5 echo the phrase “God of heaven,” linking post-exilic restoration to the theology of Daniel. In the New Testament, Paul celebrates Christ as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14), a title that mirrors the Danielic portrayal and affirms the continuity of God’s dominion across the covenants. Ministry and Discipleship Implications • Respectful Engagement: Daniel models how believers can honor legitimate human authorities (“my lord”) without compromising allegiance to the supreme Lord. Christological Foreshadowing Daniel’s vocabulary anticipates the universal lordship of Jesus Christ. The evangelistic confession “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9) stands in direct lineage with the declaration that Israel’s God is “Lord of kings.” The Aramaic title מָרֵא thus prepares hearts to recognize the incarnate Sovereign who now wields “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Summary מָרֵא in Daniel weaves together themes of authority, revelation, judgment, and grace. Whether honoring a Babylonian monarch or exalting the God of heaven, the word points unwaveringly to the truth that every throne—earthly or cosmic—ultimately belongs to the Lord. Forms and Transliterations וּמָרֵ֥א ומרא מָרִ֕י מָרִ֥י מָרֵֽא־ מרא־ מרי mā·rê- mā·rî mare mārê- maRi mārî ū·mā·rê umaRe ūmārêLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:47 HEB: אֱלָ֧הּ אֱלָהִ֛ין וּמָרֵ֥א מַלְכִ֖ין וְגָלֵ֣ה NAS: of gods and a Lord of kings KJV: of gods, and a Lord of kings, INT: God of gods Lord of kings revealer Daniel 4:19 Daniel 4:24 Daniel 5:23 4 Occurrences |
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