אַרְכָֿא (ar.ka)
ar.ka
lengthening
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun arkha denotes a lengthening or prolongation, appearing just once in the Hebrew Bible within Daniel 4:19. It derives from the root erekh, which carries the sense of valuation or ordering, suggesting that this "lengthening" is not merely a passage of time but an extension granted with purpose.
In its sole occurrence, the word describes the king’s request for his dream to be explained so he might know the end result. The term captures the act of stretching out or delaying the outcome, allowing space for understanding before the final judgment unfolds. This usage highlights how divine timelines can be extended for human comprehension.
Translators typically render this as "prolonging" or "lengthening," emphasizing the deliberate pause in events. The word underscores a theme common in Daniel: that God controls the duration of history, stretching moments to reveal His purposes fully.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word arkha appears only once in Scripture, found in Daniel 7:12. It describes how the dominion of certain beasts was taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a specific time. This brief mention reminds us that God holds the timeline of history in His hands. He can extend periods of waiting or judgment to serve a greater purpose.
When you face long seasons of uncertainty, this word offers comfort. It suggests that delays are not always signs of absence but can be moments where God is working out His plan. Your current situation may have an end date known only to Him. Trusting in His sovereignty helps us rest during these extended times.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ a prolonging1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/אַרְכָ֧ה1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 7:12
As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
This verse uses the word to describe the temporary extension of life for beasts whose power was removed, showing God's control over duration.