Definition of H1884: Dethabar
An Aramaic loan word from Persian meaning “one skilled in law” – this isn’t just any government official, but specifically a legal expert who combined the roles of judge, legal advisor, and magistrate in the Persian administrative system that governed Daniel’s world.
What This Word Actually Means
When you see dethabar (דְּתָבָר) in Daniel 3:2, you’re encountering something fascinating – a Persian legal term that made its way into Aramaic and then into Scripture. This word comes from Persian origin, meaning one skilled in law; a judge.
But here’s what makes this word special: it’s not talking about just any court official. The Persian dethabar was a specialized position – someone who wasn’t just appointed to make decisions, but who was actually trained and skilled in legal matters. Think of them as the legal scholars of their day, combining what we might call a judge, legal advisor, and constitutional expert all in one role.
Etymology Alert
The word is a loan-word from Persian databara, literally meaning “law-bearer” – someone who carries and applies the law. The Persian administrative system was incredibly sophisticated, and they needed officials who could navigate complex legal frameworks across their diverse empire.
The Word Behind the Word
What’s absolutely captivating about dethabar is how it reveals the multilingual world Daniel lived in. This Persian word traveled into Aramaic (the diplomatic language of the ancient Near East) and ended up in our Hebrew Bible. It’s like finding a Latin legal term in modern English – it tells you something about how legal systems influence language.
The original Persian root suggests someone who both possesses legal knowledge and has the authority to apply it. This wasn’t just someone who knew the law – they were empowered to be “law-bearers” in the truest sense.
Cultural Context
In Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon (which was under Persian influence by Daniel’s later years), the administrative system required officials who could handle legal matters across cultures. These dethabar needed to understand not just Babylonian law, but also Persian legal principles and local customs.
How Scripture Uses It
The word dethabar appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in Daniel 3 (verses 2 and 3), in the context of Nebuchadnezzar summoning his officials to witness the dedication of his golden image. The passage lists various governmental positions, and dethabar represents the legal/judicial branch of the administration.
What’s significant is that Daniel includes this word in his list of officials who were expected to bow down to the image. These weren’t just random bureaucrats – they were the legal experts, the ones who should have known better about matters of conscience and law.
Translation Challenge
English translations struggle with dethabar because we don’t have a single word that captures both the legal expertise and administrative authority it represents. “Counselor” captures the advisory role but misses the judicial authority. “Judge” captures the legal aspect but misses the advisory function.
Why Translators Struggle With This Word
Here’s where it gets interesting for Bible readers. Most lexicons translate dethabar as “counsellor”, but that doesn’t quite capture the full meaning. The challenge is that our modern legal systems separate roles that were combined in ancient Persian administration.
A dethabar was simultaneously:
- A legal scholar (like our constitutional lawyers)
- A sitting judge (with authority to make binding decisions)
- A governmental advisor (consulted on policy matters)
- A magistrate (handling administrative legal issues)
“Understanding dethabar helps us see that Daniel lived in a world where legal expertise and governmental authority were deeply intertwined – these weren’t just advisors, they were the legal backbone of the empire.”
Where You’ll Find This Word
Primary passages where this word appears:
- Daniel 3:2 – Listed among the officials summoned to the dedication of Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image
- Daniel 3:3 – Mentioned again as these officials actually gather for the ceremony
Notable translations across versions:
- ESV: counselors
- NIV: advisers
- NASB: counselors
- NET: counselors
Other translation options: judges, magistrates, legal advisors, law-bearers, judicial counselors
Words in the Same Family
Root family:
Since this is a Persian loan word, it doesn’t have Hebrew/Aramaic cognates in the traditional sense, but it relates to:
Related governmental terms in Daniel:
Key Takeaway
When we understand that dethabar represents legal experts who chose to compromise their professional integrity for political expediency, it makes the faithfulness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego even more remarkable. They stood for truth when even the legal experts of their day caved to pressure.
Dig Deeper
Internal Resources:
- H8199 – Shaphat – The Hebrew concept of judging and governing
- Daniel 3:2 Analysis – The complete list of Babylonian officials
External Scholarly Resources:
- Blue Letter Bible entry – Comprehensive lexical data
- Bible Hub concordance – Usage examples and translations
- So Much Bible Word Study – Persian loan word analysis
- Study Bible Info Lexicon – Additional lexical information
All external links open in new windows for continued study
