Lexical Summary rabreban: Noble, Prince, Magnate Original Word: רַבְרְבָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lord, prince (Aramaic) from rabrab; a magnate -- lord, prince. see HEBREW rabrab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from the same as rab Definition lord, noble NASB Translation nobles (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs [רַבְרְבָן] noun masculine lord, noble (compare ᵑ7, Syriac); — plural suffix רַבְרְבָנַי Daniel 4:33 my lords (of Nebuchadnezzar); נ֫וֺהִי#NAME? Daniel 5:1,2,3,9,10, of Darius Daniel 6:18; ניך- Kt, נָח- Qr (K§ 53, Anm. b)) of Belshazzar Daniel 6:23. Topical Lexicon Scope of the Termרַבְרְבָן appears eight times in the Aramaic sections of Daniel, always in the plural and always in reference to the royal court of Babylon or Medo-Persia. It designates the inner circle of high officials who served at the pleasure of the monarch and were expected to possess wisdom, authority and wealth. Their presence in each narrative highlights the contrast between earthly rank and the sovereignty of the Most High God. Historical Setting 1. Neo-Babylonian Court (Daniel 4–5) 2. Medo-Persian Court (Daniel 6) Patterns of Usage • Court Protocol: The word consistently appears in settings of feasting, decrees or crisis, showing the nobles’ ceremonial role. Theological Significance 1. Supremacy of Divine Wisdom The impotence of the nobles to read the mysterious writing (Daniel 5:8) illustrates the Pauline principle that “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). 2. Fleeting Nature of Human Greatness Earthly rank—however exalted—is subject to instant reversal when God’s purposes unfold. Nebuchadnezzar’s seven-year humiliation and Belshazzar’s one-night downfall both occur in full view of the nobles. 3. Witness to Revelation Their repeated inclusion as onlookers places multiple witnesses of high social standing in the public record of God’s acts, reinforcing the historicity and credibility of the narratives. Ministry Applications • Leadership: Church and civic leaders are reminded that position does not guarantee spiritual insight; dependence on God like Daniel’s is essential. Canonical Connections • Esther parallels: Haman’s courtly rank and downfall mirror the rise and vindication motif seen in Daniel. Eschatological Foreshadowing The failure of human nobles anticipates the final displacement of earthly kingdoms by the stone “cut without hands” (Daniel 2:34). Their transient honor contrasts with the everlasting dominion given to “the Son of Man” (Daniel 7:14). Summary רַבְרְבָן spotlights the highest echelons of worldly authority in Daniel’s narratives. Their prominence magnifies God’s wisdom, judgment and grace, providing enduring lessons on humility, leadership and the certainty of divine sovereignty over every throne. Forms and Transliterations וְרַבְרְבָנ֔וֹהִי וְרַבְרְבָנ֖וֹהִי וְרַבְרְבָנַ֖י וְרַבְרְבָנָ֜ךְ ורברבנוהי ורברבני ורברבנך לְרַבְרְבָנ֖וֹהִי לרברבנוהי רַבְרְבָנ֔וֹהִי רברבנוהי lə·raḇ·rə·ḇā·nō·w·hî ləraḇrəḇānōwhî leravrevaNohi raḇ·rə·ḇā·nō·w·hî raḇrəḇānōwhî ravrevaNohi veravrevaNach veravrevaNai veravrevaNohi wə·raḇ·rə·ḇā·nāḵ wə·raḇ·rə·ḇā·nay wə·raḇ·rə·ḇā·nō·w·hî wəraḇrəḇānāḵ wəraḇrəḇānay wəraḇrəḇānōwhîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 4:36 HEB: וְלִ֕י הַדָּֽבְרַ֥י וְרַבְרְבָנַ֖י יְבַע֑וֹן וְעַל־ NAS: and my counselors and my nobles began seeking KJV: and my counsellors and my lords sought INT: me and my counselors and my nobles seeking me Daniel 5:1 Daniel 5:2 Daniel 5:3 Daniel 5:9 Daniel 5:10 Daniel 5:23 Daniel 6:17 8 Occurrences |
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