דִּכֵּן (dik.ken)
dik.ken
this
A:DemPQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:DemP
Word Overview
The word dikken functions as a demonstrative pronoun in Biblical Aramaic, translating simply to "this" or "that." It serves as the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew zeh, allowing speakers and writers to point directly at a specific person, object, or idea within the narrative. Its usage is straightforward, anchoring the reader’s attention on what is immediately present or being referenced.
This term appears only three times in the entire Bible, all located within the book of Daniel. In these instances, it acts as a precise pointer within the royal court dialogues and visions, helping to distinguish specific elements of the king’s dreams or decrees. The rarity of the word highlights its role as a functional tool for clarity in a text dominated by other Aramaic vocabulary.
Understanding dikken requires recognizing the linguistic shift between Hebrew and Aramaic within Scripture. While Hebrew readers would expect zeh, the Aramaic sections of Daniel naturally employ dikken to maintain grammatical consistency with the surrounding language. This distinction helps translators render the text accurately without conflating the two Semitic languages.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dikken appears only three times in Scripture, serving as a precise pointer within the Aramaic sections of Daniel. It translates simply to "this," directing attention to specific details in visions or royal decrees. In Daniel 2:31, it identifies the great image Nebuchadnezzar saw, anchoring the reader’s focus on the tangible reality of the dream.
Its rarity highlights a linguistic shift between Hebrew and Aramaic, ensuring clarity for those reading the text. By using dikken, the biblical authors maintain grammatical consistency while pointing to God’s sovereign control over history. This simple demonstrative helps us see that even in foreign courts, God’s purposes are clearly defined and visible.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- this3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דִּכֵּ֥ן1×
- דִכֵּ֜ן1×
- דִכֵּ֔ן1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:31
“You, O king, saw, and behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent, stood before you; and its appearance was terrifying.
This occurrence anchors the reader's attention on the specific visual details of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, distinguishing the image from other elements in the narrative.
-
Daniel 7:20
and concerning the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, whose look was more stout than its fellows.
Here it specifies the arrogant horn among the ten, clarifying which entity is being described as having eyes and speaking arrogantly.
-
Daniel 7:21
I saw, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them,
It identifies the same horn that waged war against the saints, linking the previous description to the subsequent conflict in the vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew/Aramaic word dikken mean?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Why is this word significant for understanding Daniel?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 3 verses
“You, O king, saw, and behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent, stood…
Daniel 7:20and concerning the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even…
Daniel 7:21I saw, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them,