נִדְנֵ֑ה (nid.neh)
nid.neh
sheath
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word nidneh appears only once in the entire Old Testament, located in Daniel 7:15. Its primary definition is "sheath," but scholars note that its exact meaning in this context remains uncertain. This rarity makes it a unique linguistic curiosity for readers of the book of Daniel.
In Daniel 7:15, the prophet describes being troubled by his dreams and visions. While the word nidneh technically refers to a scabbard or sheath for a sword, its usage here is isolated and ambiguous. It does not appear in other biblical texts to provide further clarity on how it functions grammatically or semantically within the narrative.
Because this is the sole occurrence of nidneh in Scripture, translators must rely on context rather than comparative usage. The uncertainty surrounding its precise nuance highlights the challenges of interpreting rare Hebrew vocabulary. Readers encounter it as a singular example of specialized terminology within apocalyptic literature.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Reading the book of Daniel can feel like stepping into a world of shadows and strange symbols. The prophet himself describes being deeply troubled by what he saw, his spirit grieved within his body. This raw honesty reminds us that wrestling with difficult truths is part of the faith journey. We do not need to have every mystery solved to stand firm in God's sovereignty.
Even when language fails or meaning remains obscure, as seen in this rare word for 'sheath,' we are invited to rest in the One who holds history. The visions may be complex, but the outcome is certain: God reigns. Let your own anxieties find a place of rest in His unchanging character.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] sheath1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִדְנֶ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 7:15
“As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
This verse captures Daniel's internal distress, using the rare term nidneh to describe the heavy burden of his prophetic visions.