עֵטָא (e.ta)
e.ta
counsel
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun eṭā means "counsel" or "advice." It appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Daniel 2:14. In this context, King Nebuchadnezzar demands that his wise men reveal both the dream and its interpretation. When they hesitate, he threatens them with death. Daniel steps forward to request a brief delay, asking for time so he might seek counsel from God regarding the king’s troubling question.
This single occurrence highlights the word’s practical use in a high-stakes political setting. It refers to the act of consulting or seeking guidance rather than the abstract concept of wisdom itself. The sources note that Daniel uses this term when negotiating with the royal officials, framing his request as a need for deliberation and divine insight before proceeding.
The rarity of eṭā makes its usage in Daniel particularly significant. It underscores the tension between human authority and divine revelation. By seeking counsel, Daniel acknowledges that true understanding comes from God alone, contrasting sharply with the failed attempts of the Babylonian magicians to decipher the mystery through their own power.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When faced with impossible demands or sudden crises, our instinct is often to scramble for human solutions. The word eṭā appears in Daniel 2:14, where Daniel asks for time not just to think, but to seek counsel from God. This reminds us that true wisdom does not come from panic or political maneuvering, but from pausing to consult the Creator.
In moments of high pressure, we might feel forced to give immediate answers. Yet Daniel’s example invites a different rhythm: request delay, seek divine insight, then respond with clarity. This approach transforms anxiety into trust, showing that God values our dependence on Him more than our quick fixes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- counsel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֵטָ֣א1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:14
Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon.
Daniel uses this term to describe his deliberate request for time to seek divine guidance rather than relying on immediate human wisdom.