שׇׁלְטָן (shol.tan)
shol.tan
dominion
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun sholtan denotes authority or sovereign rule, appearing exclusively in the book of Daniel. It refers to the power held by earthly kings and empires, emphasizing their capacity to govern and exercise control over subjects. In these texts, the word highlights the political reality of foreign domination rather than moral judgment.
Its five occurrences focus on the temporal nature of human power. Daniel uses it to describe the reigns of Babylonian and Persian rulers, framing their authority as granted but limited. The term underscores that while earthly dominion is real, it operates within a broader divine timeline where God remains the ultimate source of sovereignty.
Translators typically render sholtan as "dominion" or "kingdom," capturing its sense of structured rule. This usage contrasts with words for personal strength, focusing instead on institutional power and the right to command. The text presents these rulers as significant historical actors whose authority is both acknowledged and ultimately subordinate to God’s eternal plan.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sholtan appears only in Daniel, describing the political power held by earthly empires. It reminds us that human rulers have real authority to govern, yet their power is always temporary and granted within a specific timeframe. This perspective helps us see history not as random chaos, but as a story where God remains the ultimate sovereign.
When we face difficult governments or uncertain times, this word offers comfort. It acknowledges the reality of human control while pointing to a higher truth: no earthly kingdom lasts forever. The only dominion that endures is the one given to the Son of Man, which will never be destroyed.
This hope anchors our faith. We can trust that God’s plan will prevail, regardless of who sits on a throne today. Our security lies not in political stability, but in the everlasting kingdom that belongs to the saints of the Most High.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- empires/ the1×
- dominion/ their1×
- dominion/ his1×
- dominion1×
- and/ dominion/ the1×
- and/ dominion/ his1×
- and/ dominion1×
- [was] a dominion of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁלְטָנֵ֞/הּ1×
- שָׁלְטָנְ/ה֑וֹן1×
- שָׁלְטָן֙1×
- שָׁלְטָ֤ן1×
- שָׁלְטָ֣נַיָּ֔/א1×
- וְ/שָׁלְטָנָ֜/א1×
- וְ/שָׁלְטָנֵ֣/הּ1×
- וְ/שָׁלְטָ֖ן1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 7:14
Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be destroyed.
This verse contrasts temporary human power with the eternal dominion given to the Son of Man, which will never pass away.
-
Daniel 7:26
“‘But the judgment will be set, and they will take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end.
Here the text shows that even powerful rulers who oppose God will eventually lose their dominion when judgment is set.
-
Daniel 7:27
The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions will serve and obey him.’
The final outcome is that all earthly kingdoms will serve the people of the saints, whose kingdom is everlasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sholtan mean in the Bible?
How is sholtan different from other words for power?
Why does Daniel use this word so often?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 5 verses
“After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The animal also had…
Daniel 7:12As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
Daniel 7:14Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His…
Daniel 7:26“‘But the judgment will be set, and they will take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end.
Daniel 7:27The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, will be given to the people of the…