אַנְתָּה (an.tah)
an.tah
you
A:PerP-MSQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:PerP-MS
Word Overview
The word an-tah functions as the second-person singular pronoun in Biblical Aramaic, translating directly to "you" or "thou." It serves as the standard way for a speaker to address one individual male, mirroring its Hebrew counterpart at-tah found in the rest of the Old Testament. Its usage is straightforward, marking the subject or object of a sentence when speaking to a single person.
This form appears exclusively in the Aramaic sections of Scripture, primarily within the books of Daniel and Ezra. With only ten occurrences across these texts, it is a relatively rare lexical item compared to its Hebrew equivalent. The sources note that it is simply the Aramaic dialectal variant of the more common Hebrew pronoun, maintaining the same grammatical person and number without significant semantic shift.
Its presence highlights the linguistic diversity of the biblical canon, where Aramaic served as a lingua franca for international correspondence and imperial administration. Translators consistently render it as "you," preserving the direct address found in the original text. The word carries no additional metaphorical weight; it is a functional grammatical tool used to identify the listener in royal decrees and prophetic visions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word an-tah appears in the Aramaic sections of Daniel and Ezra, serving as a direct address to a single individual. In these texts, kings like Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar are spoken to with this pronoun. It marks a moment where divine truth intersects with human authority. When God speaks through visions or decrees, the use of 'you' creates a personal connection between the sovereign ruler and the Creator.
For your faith, this reminds us that God addresses individuals directly, regardless of their status. Whether in a royal court or a quiet moment of prayer, the same God who spoke to ancient kings hears you today. The pronoun signifies attention and accountability. It invites reflection on how we respond to divine guidance in our own lives.
Understanding this simple word helps us see the personal nature of Scripture. God does not speak in vague generalities but engages with specific people at specific times. This direct address challenges us to listen closely to His voice, knowing that He sees and knows us individually.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you7×
- and/ you3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַ֣נְתְּ4×
- אַנְתְּ2×
- וְ/אַ֨נְתְּ1×
- וְ/אַ֤נְתְּ1×
- וְ/אַ֣נְתְּ1×
- אַ֖נְתְּ1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:37
You, O king, are king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength, and the glory.
This verse uses the pronoun to affirm Nebuchadnezzar's God-given authority, highlighting how divine sovereignty empowers human leadership.
-
Daniel 5:23
but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, or hear, or know; and you have not glorified the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways.
Here the word underscores Belshazzar's personal responsibility for honoring God, contrasting his pride with the Creator's ultimate control over breath and ways.
-
Ezra 7:25
You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who are beyond the River, who all know the laws of your God; and teach him who doesn’t know them.
The pronoun directs Ezra to act according to divine wisdom, showing how God calls specific individuals to lead and teach His people.