אֲמַר (a.mar)

The Aramaic verb amar functions as the standard word for speaking, commanding, or telling in the biblical texts where it appears. It corresponds directly to the Hebrew amaran, serving as the linguistic bridge between the Hebrew and Aramaic portions of Scripture. Its usage spans simple declaration to authoritative order, reflecting the formal tone of the court narratives in which it is most frequently found.

This word carries significant weight in the books of Daniel and Ezra, where it often introduces royal decrees or prophetic visions. For instance, King Nebuchadnezzar uses amar when he commands the wise men to reveal his dream (Daniel 2:5), and later when he issues orders to his officials. The term also appears in narrative transitions, such as when Daniel tells the king the interpretation of the vision (Daniel 2:25), showing its flexibility between speech acts and spoken content.

A notable feature of amar is its use in passive-like constructions, where the plural participle "those who say" effectively means "it is said." This idiom appears in Daniel 3:4, addressing the peoples with a formal proclamation. Translators typically render amar as "said," "commanded," or "told," depending on whether the context emphasizes mere speech or authoritative instruction.