אֲכַל (a.khal)
a.khal
to devour
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb a.khal primarily means to eat or devour, capturing the physical act of consuming food with intensity. In the Old Testament, it often describes animals feeding voraciously, emphasizing the raw power and appetite involved in the action rather than a polite meal.
While most common in general narratives, this word appears with significant frequency in Daniel, where it takes on a more symbolic weight. The text uses it to describe beasts consuming other creatures, illustrating themes of judgment and destruction that resonate throughout the prophetic visions found in that book.
A notable nuance arises in idiomatic phrases where "eating pieces" translates to slander or malicious gossip. Here, the physical act of tearing food apart serves as a vivid metaphor for how harsh words can tear apart a person’s reputation, linking dietary aggression with social violence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word אֲכַל (a.khal) captures the raw intensity of consuming something completely. In the Old Testament, it often describes animals feeding with a force that goes beyond simple hunger, highlighting power and appetite rather than a polite meal. This imagery helps us understand how Scripture uses physical actions to describe spiritual realities.
In Daniel, this verb takes on a heavier weight, describing beasts that devour and break apart nations. It serves as a stark reminder of the destructive nature of unchecked power and judgment. Yet, it also warns us about the social violence of harsh words, which can tear apart reputations just as fiercely as teeth tear flesh.
For your faith, this word invites reflection on how we handle conflict and power. It reminds us that true strength is not found in devouring others but in the peace and justice that God ultimately establishes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [it was] devouring2×
- so/ it may devour1×
- devour!1×
- and/ they ate1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָֽכְלָ֣ה2×
- וַ/אֲכַ֥לוּ1×
- וְ/תֵאכֻל֙1×
- אֲכֻ֖לִי1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 7:5
“Behold, there was another animal, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said this to it: ‘Arise! Devour much flesh!’
This verse uses the word to command a bear-like beast to consume flesh, illustrating the raw, aggressive power associated with the term.
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Daniel 7:7
“After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome, powerful, and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different from all the animals that were before it. It had ten horns.
Here, the fourth animal's iron teeth devour and break pieces, emphasizing the total destruction caused by this powerful kingdom.
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Daniel 7:23
“So he said, ‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will tread it down and break it in pieces.
The interpretation explicitly links the beast to a kingdom that will devour the whole earth, showing the word's symbolic use for imperial conquest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word אֲכַל mean?
How is אֲכַל different from other words for eating?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 5 verses
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near and brought accusation against the Jews.
Daniel 7:5“Behold, there was another animal, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its…
Daniel 7:7“After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome, powerful, and exceedingly…
Daniel 7:19“Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was different from all of them, exceedingly…
Daniel 7:23“So he said, ‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the kingdoms, and…