בִּקְעָא (biq.a)
biq.a
plain
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 biq’a refers to a plain or level valley floor. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Daniel 3:1, where it describes the broad, flat ground set up for Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. The word is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew biq’ah, sharing the same root sense of a low, open space between hills or mountains.
Its singular usage in Daniel highlights the stark contrast between the vast, empty expanse of the plain and the towering statue erected upon it. This setting underscores the public nature of the king’s demand for worship, forcing all who passed by to confront the monument directly. The choice of a flat plain rather than a hidden valley emphasizes visibility and accessibility, ensuring that no one could avoid the spectacle.
Translators typically render this word as "plain" or "valley," depending on the context’s emphasis on openness versus elevation. In Daniel 3:1, "plain" captures the wide, level terrain suitable for a massive assembly. The term carries no inherent theological weight beyond its geographical function, serving instead to ground the narrative in a tangible, historical setting where political power and religious obligation collide.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word biq’a describes a broad, flat plain where Nebuchadnezzar erected his golden statue. This setting was not accidental; it ensured that everyone in the province could see the monument and be expected to bow. The open space removed any possibility of privacy or escape from the king’s demand for worship.
For us, this image reminds us that faith is often lived out in public view. We may face moments where our loyalty to God conflicts with social pressure or professional expectations. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we are called to stand firm even when the whole world seems to demand otherwise.
God sees us in those open spaces. He does not hide us from difficult choices but walks with us through them. Our trust is not in avoiding pressure but in relying on His presence within it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- on/ [the] plain of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/בִקְעַ֣ת1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 3:1
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
The plain of Dura serves as the stage for a public test of loyalty, highlighting how political power demands universal conformity.