בְּשַׁר (be.shar)
be.shar
flesh
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun be.shar means flesh, functioning as the direct equivalent of the Hebrew basar (H1320). Although it appears only twice in the biblical text, both instances occur in the book of Daniel, reflecting the language shift toward Aramaic for sections addressing Gentile nations.
As a loanword from Hebrew into Biblical Aramaic, it carries the same physical and biological sense as its counterpart. The sources identify it simply as the Aramaic form of basar, without introducing distinct theological nuances or alternative meanings in these rare occurrences. Its presence marks the linguistic boundary where the narrative engages with imperial powers rather than Israelite history.
Translators consistently render this term as "flesh," maintaining continuity with the Hebrew usage found throughout the rest of the Old Testament. The word serves as a straightforward descriptor of physical substance, anchoring the Aramaic sections of Daniel in tangible human reality without abstract metaphorical expansion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for "flesh" here reminds us of our shared human limitation. In Daniel, it highlights that earthly power and wisdom are finite. Kings may demand the impossible, but true understanding does not reside in human strength or intellect alone.
This reality invites humility. When we face situations that seem beyond our control, we can acknowledge our limits without despair. The text points to a source of knowledge that exists outside of our physical constraints, offering hope when human resources fall short.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- flesh1×
- <the>/ flesh1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בִּשְׂרָ֖/א1×
- בְּשַׂ֥ר1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:11
It is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is no other who can show it before the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
This verse uses the term to contrast the limited capacity of human rulers with the divine realm, emphasizing that God's wisdom transcends physical existence.
-
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!’
Here the word describes a literal act of consumption by a beast, grounding the vision in tangible, violent reality rather than abstract symbolism.