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דּוּרָא (du.ra)

du.ra

Dura

H1757 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 1 verses

N:N--L

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N--L

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun dura simply means "dwelling" or "place of residence." It appears only once in the entire Bible, in Daniel 3:1, where it identifies a specific location in the plain of Babylon.

This site is famous for being the stage for Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. The king erected the statue there and summoned officials from every nation to witness its dedication. While the exact geographical coordinates of this dwelling are lost to history, the text uses it to anchor a dramatic confrontation between imperial power and faithful obedience.

Translators often render dura as "plain" or "district" to convey the open space required for such a large assembly. The word itself carries no theological weight beyond its function as a setting. It serves as the physical backdrop where the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego unfolds, marking the spot where ancient Babylon met its limit.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The plain of Dura was a stage for the clash between human power and divine allegiance. The name simply means "dwelling" or "residence." Nebuchadnezzar chose this ordinary stretch of land in Babylon to set up a towering golden image and summon every official to bow before it. The location was nothing special until three young men refused.

That refusal turned a nondescript district into a place of holy defiance. The God they trusted did not need a spectacular setting to reveal His presence. In the fire that followed, He was right there with them. Dura reminds us that our daily environments—our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods—can become arenas for loyal love. God draws near in the places we least expect.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Dura1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • דּוּרָ֔א1×

Key Verses

  • 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.

    This single verse names the plain where Nebuchadnezzar erected his golden image, fixing the entire confrontation in a specific, though now unknown, location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word Dura mean?

The word Dura simply means 'dwelling' or 'place of residence.' It names a district in the province of Babylon where King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden statue, as recorded in Daniel 3:1.

Why is the plain of Dura significant in the Bible?

The plain of Dura is the location for the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Nebuchadnezzar assembled officials from across his empire there to worship his image. The refusal of those three men to bow became a defining act of faithfulness.

How does the location Dura shape the narrative in Daniel 3?

The open plain allowed the king to display his enormous statue and gather a vast crowd. This public setting heightened the pressure to conform, making the stand of the three Hebrews all the more courageous. Their loyalty was tested in front of the entire imperial administration.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Daniel 1 verse
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…