דָּא (da)
da
this
A:DemPQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:DemP
Word Overview
The word da serves as a demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" in Biblical Aramaic. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, all within the book of Daniel. As the feminine form of the more common masculine geh, it functions primarily to point directly at a specific noun or concept being discussed in the narrative.
Its usage is straightforward and immediate. In Daniel 3:16, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego use it when declaring their faith before Nebuchadnezzar, saying "the God whom we serve is able to deliver us from it." Here, da anchors their statement to the specific trial they face. The word’s rarity in Scripture highlights its role as a simple, functional pointer rather than a term carrying deep theological abstraction.
Translators consistently render it as "this," maintaining its demonstrative force without adding interpretive layers. Its presence in Daniel underscores the linguistic shift from Hebrew to Aramaic during the exile, marking the text’s engagement with the imperial language of the time while preserving precise referential clarity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In Daniel 7:8, the word da points directly to the little horn that rises among the beasts. This simple demonstrative anchors our attention to a specific figure in the vision, reminding us that God’s revelation is precise and clear about the challenges we face.
When life feels chaotic or threatening, like the visions of Daniel, this word helps us focus on what is real and present. It invites us to look closely at the situations before us without adding unnecessary fear or confusion. God gives us clarity to understand our circumstances.
We can trust that He sees every detail, just as He revealed the identity of the horn to Daniel. This steadiness in understanding brings peace, knowing that no part of our story is hidden from Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- this [one]3×
- to/ this [one]1×
- this1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דָּ֥א2×
- לְ/דָ֖א1×
- דָּֽא\׃1×
- דָ֔א1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 7:8
“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots; and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking arrogantly.
The word da identifies the specific little horn with human-like eyes and an arrogant mouth, distinguishing it clearly from the other horns in the vision.
-
Daniel 5:6
Then the king’s face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and his knees struck one against another.
Although the text describes the king's physical reaction, this verse sets the immediate context where the mysterious writing appears, pointing to the crisis at hand.
-
Daniel 7:3
Four great animals came up from the sea, different from one another.
This verse introduces the four great animals, establishing the general scene that the demonstrative da will later help specify in subsequent verses.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 3 verses
Then the king’s face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and…
Daniel 7:3Four great animals came up from the sea, different from one another.
Daniel 7:8“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the…