Lexical Summary
beram: However, but, nevertheless
Original Word:בְּרַם
Part of Speech:Adverb
Transliteration:bram
Pronunciation:beh-RAHM
Phonetic Spelling:(ber-am')
KJV: but, nevertheless, yet
NASB:however, yet
Word Origin:[(Aramaic) perhaps fromH731 (אַרזָה - cedar work)3 with a prepositional prefix]
1. (properly) highly, i.e. surely
2. (used adversatively) however
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
but, nevertheless, yet
(Aramaic) perhaps fromruwm with a prepositional prefix; properly, highly, i.e. Surely; but used adversatively, however -- but, nevertheless, yet.
see HEBREWruwm
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation
Definitiononly, nevertheless
NASB Translationhowever (3), yet (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
with adversative force, (derivation uncertain: Nö
M 202 = + , literally
except what: often for , ; Syriac
Exodus 9:16;
Exodus 21:21, and in NT for ; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic
,
); —
Daniel 2:28;
Daniel 4:12 hew down the tree etc.,
only leave the stump, etc.,
Daniel 4:20;
Daniel 5:17;
Ezra 5:13.
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Usageבְּרַם appears five times in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament (Ezra 5:13;Daniel 2:28; 4:15; 4:23; 5:17). In every case it functions as a strong adversative—“however,” “nevertheless,” or “but.” The particle signals a decisive contrast that either exalts the sovereign activity of God or clarifies a human response. Its consistent placement at pivotal moments makes it more than a mere connective; it is a theological hinge.
Contextual Nuances in Ezra
Ezra 5:13 records the response of Persian officials summarizing royal policy toward the Jerusalem temple: “However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this house of God.” The particle shifts the narrative from the officials’ suspicion to the previously established divine provision through Cyrus. It prevents the reader from interpreting opposition as final, underscoring that Yahweh’s purposes advance in spite of human resistance.
Pivotal Role in Daniel’s Narratives
1.Daniel 2:28: “But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” The word redirects attention from human inability to divine omniscience, forming the theological center of the entire chapter.
2.Daniel 4:15; 4:23: In both verses (the king’s dream and its recounting), “nevertheless” marks the preservation of the stump and roots, hinting at mercy amid judgment. The contrasting particle frames the message that God’s discipline on Nebuchadnezzar is not final annihilation but restorative humility.
3.Daniel 5:17: Daniel declines Belshazzar’s gifts—“Nevertheless, you may keep your gifts for yourself.” The adversative distinguishes faithful prophetic witness from courtly flattery and sets the stage for the uncompromised declaration of judgment.
Theological Implications
1. Divine Sovereignty: Each occurrence redirects the narrative from human initiative or crisis to God’s overruling authority.
2. Mercy within Judgment: The preservation of the stump inDaniel 4 tempers severity with hope, reflecting the larger biblical theme that “judgment is God’s strange work” (Isaiah 28:21).
3. Faithful Witness:Daniel 5:17 shows that the servant of God speaks truth irrespective of earthly reward, exemplifying the New Testament principle of “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
Ministry Applications
• Preaching: The particle’s pattern encourages expositors to highlight the “nevertheless” moments where God intervenes. Sermons can trace how divine contrasts overturn human expectations, reinforcing trust in the Lord’s supremacy.
• Counseling: Believers facing setbacks can be reminded that, biblically, opposition often precedes a “however” that reveals God’s purpose (Romans 8:28).
• Discipleship: Daniel’s use of בְּרַם instructs disciples to maintain integrity and dependence on God rather than earthly incentives.
Summary
בְּרַם is a small word carrying weighty theological freight. Whether pointing to Cyrus’s decree, God’s revelation of mysteries, the tempered judgment on Nebuchadnezzar, or Daniel’s fearless proclamation before Belshazzar, it consistently turns the spotlight from human circumstance to divine initiative. Recognizing and teaching these “nevertheless” pivots deepens appreciation for the Scripture’s coherent testimony to God’s unassailable reign.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּרַ֗ם בְּרַ֡ם בְּרַ֨ם בְּרַם֙ ברם bə·ram beRam bəram
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