לֵילָא (le.le.ya)
le.le.ya
night
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic word leyla denotes night, appearing five times in the Hebrew Bible with a striking concentration in the book of Daniel. In this context, it functions as the standard term for the dark hours, marking the temporal setting for visions and divine revelations that occur outside the normal course of daylight activity.
Its usage is notable for its specificity to Aramaic texts rather than Hebrew ones. The sources highlight its presence in Daniel’s accounts of royal dreams and apocalyptic sequences, where night serves as the backdrop for supernatural encounters. This lexical choice aligns with the broader Aramaic corpus, distinguishing it from the more common Hebrew equivalent layil.
Translators typically render leyla simply as "night," preserving its straightforward temporal meaning without adding metaphorical weight in these instances. The word anchors the narrative in a specific time of darkness, emphasizing the contrast between human limitation and divine insight revealed during the quiet hours.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Aramaic word leyla simply means night. It appears five times in the Bible, all within the book of Daniel. Unlike Hebrew texts that use layil, this specific term marks the dark hours when visions and divine revelations occur. It anchors the narrative in a time of darkness, highlighting the contrast between human limitation and God's insight.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God speaks even in the quietest moments. When Daniel received a vision in the night (Daniel 2:19), he responded by blessing God. The darkness did not hide God’s presence; it became the setting for understanding His plans. You can trust that God is active when you feel most uncertain.
These verses show that divine guidance often comes when we are still and listening. Whether in times of trouble or confusion, the night can be a space for revelation. The text does not suggest fear but rather an opportunity to witness God’s power over history and human kingdoms.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- night/ the4×
- on/ night/ the1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לֵילְיָ֖/א1×
- לֵֽילְיָ֗/א1×
- לֵֽילְיָ֔/א1×
- לֵֽילְיָ֑/א1×
- בְּ/לֵ֣ילְיָ֔/א1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:19
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
This verse shows the word used when a secret is revealed to Daniel, linking the night directly to divine disclosure and praise.
-
Daniel 7:13
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him.
Here the night vision introduces the 'son of man' coming with clouds, establishing the night as the backdrop for eschatological hope.
-
Daniel 7:2
Daniel spoke and said, “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea.
The word sets the scene for apocalyptic imagery where winds rise from the sea, emphasizing supernatural activity during darkness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does leyla mean in the Bible?
Why is leyla used instead of the Hebrew word for night?
What is the significance of night visions in Daniel?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 5 verses
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel 5:30In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain.
Daniel 7:2Daniel spoke and said, “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea.
Daniel 7:7“After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome, powerful, and exceedingly…
Daniel 7:13“I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even…