4756. mare
Lexical Summary
mare: Appearance, vision, sight

Original Word: מָרֵא
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mare'
Pronunciation: mar-eh'
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-ray')
KJV: lord, Lord
NASB: Lord
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to H4754 (מָרָא - lifts) in the sense of domineering]

1. a master

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.
2. Daniel 4:19, 24—Daniel addresses Nebuchadnezzar as מָרֵא (“my lord”) while delivering the unsettling interpretation of the great tree vision. The respectful address highlights Daniel’s godly deportment under pagan rule, yet sets the stage for announcing the decree of the “Most High” who overrules every earthly lord.
3. Daniel 5:23—Daniel rebukes Belshazzar: “You have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven.” The same word that could honor a Babylonian king now exposes royal arrogance when directed against God’s supremacy.

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).
• Revelation: The Lord of kings reveals mysteries (Daniel 2:47) that no court magician can uncover.
• Judgment and Mercy: Nebuchadnezzar’s temporary humiliation (Daniel 4) and Belshazzar’s sudden downfall (Daniel 5) illustrate how the Lord exercises both patience and justice toward rulers.
• Worship: By identifying God as “Lord of heaven,” Daniel contrasts true worship with idolatry (Daniel 5:23).

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.
• Prophetic Courage: The same lips that show courtesy deliver uncompromising truth when God’s honor is at stake (Daniel 5:23).
• Humility for Leaders: The rise and fall of Babylonian kings warn contemporary leaders that power is stewardship, not entitlement.
• Worship Alignment: Corporate worship should magnify the Lord of heaven, guarding against the subtle idolatry of exalting human prowess.

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 ūmārê
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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
HEB: [מָרְאִי כ] (מָרִ֕י ק) חֶלְמָ֥א
NAS: replied, My lord, [if only] the dream
KJV: and said, My lord, the dream
INT: Belteshazzar and said lord the dream hate

Daniel 4:24
HEB: [מַרְאִי כ] (מָרִ֥י ק) מַלְכָּֽא׃
NAS: which has come upon my lord the king:
KJV: which is come upon my lord the king:
INT: has come upon lord the king

Daniel 5:23
HEB: וְעַ֣ל מָרֵֽא־ שְׁמַיָּ֣א ׀ הִתְרוֹמַ֡מְתָּ
NAS: yourself against the Lord of heaven;
KJV: thyself against the Lord of heaven;
INT: against the Lord of heaven have exalted

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4756
4 Occurrences


mā·rê- — 1 Occ.
mā·rî — 2 Occ.
ū·mā·rê — 1 Occ.

4755
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