Lexical Summary
yekel or yekil: To be able, to have power, to prevail
Original Word:יְכֵל
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:ykel
Pronunciation:yah-KAYL
Phonetic Spelling:(yek-ale')
KJV: be able, can, couldest, prevail
NASB:able, been able, could, overpowering
Word Origin:[Corresponding toH3201 (יָכוֹל יָכוֹל - able)]
1. to be able
2. (literally) can, could
3. (morally) may, might
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be able, can, could, prevail
(Aramaic) or ykiyl (Aramaic) {yek-eel'}; toyakol -- be able, can, couldest, prevail.
see HEBREWyakol
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to
yakolDefinitionto be able
NASB Translationable (7), been able (2), could (2), overpowering (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(K
§ 25, a) ))
(Daniel) (; Nabataean (rare) SAC60; Egyptian Aramaic S-CE 8, 11+; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic Schulth83; Biblical Hebrew ); —
with Infinitivebe able to do:Perfect3masculine singularDaniel 6:21 (subject God), 2 masculine singularDaniel 2:47;Imperfect3masculine singular (Hebraism, K§ 43, 1. Beisp. b))Daniel 2:10,Daniel 3:29 (subject a god), 2 masculine singularDaniel 5:16 (twice in verse) (<both Qr , Kl.c.);ParticipleDaniel 3:17;Daniel 4:34 (both subject God); pluralDaniel 2:27;Daniel 4:15;Daniel 6:5.
prevail (Biblical Hebrew
)against (),Participle feminine singularDaniel 7:21.
Topical Lexicon
Word OverviewTwelve times in the Aramaic chapters of Daniel this verb expresses capacity, power, or prevailing. The contexts range from pagan courts to prophetic visions and consistently contrast human limitation with divine omnipotence.
Occurrences in Daniel
Daniel 2:10 – The astrologers admit, “There is no man on earth who can accomplish what the king demands.”
Daniel 2:27 – Daniel adds that no earthly expert “can explain to the king the mystery.”
Daniel 2:47 – Nebuchadnezzar: “Since you were able to reveal this mystery.”
Daniel 3:17 – “The God we serve is able to deliver us from it.”
Daniel 3:29 – “There is no other god who can deliver in this way.”
Daniel 4:18 – Wise men “cannot interpret it,” but Daniel can.
Daniel 4:37 – God “is able to humble those who walk in pride.”
Daniel 5:16 (twice) – Belshazzar: “I have heard that you can give interpretations.”
Daniel 6:4 – Officials “could find no ground for accusation.”
Daniel 6:20 – Darius: “Has your God…been able to deliver you from the lions?”
Daniel 7:21 – The horn “was prevailing against” the saints.
Divine Ability and Sovereignty
Whether revealing mysteries, rescuing from fiery furnace and lions, or humbling kings, the Lord alone possesses true ability. The Aramaic verb is repeatedly tethered to God’s acts, marking Him as the decisive actor in history.
Human Inability
Babylonian sages, Persian officials, and arrogant kings repeatedly confess their inability. Their impotence magnifies the wisdom and power that belong solely to God and anticipates the New Testament truth that “apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Believer’s Confidence
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego offer a model for faith-filled obedience: “the God we serve is able” (Daniel 3:17). Assurance of God’s capability—not certainty of outcome—fortifies believers to stand firm under pressure.
Eschatological Victory
The horn ofDaniel 7 momentarily “prevails,” yet verse 22 shows the Ancient of Days granting victory to the saints. God’s ability guarantees the consummation of His kingdom despite interim opposition.
Historical and Linguistic Notes
Appearing only in Daniel’s Aramaic sections (chapters 2–7), the verb communicates in the lingua franca of world empire that all nations must reckon with the sovereignty of Israel’s God.
Ministry Implications
• Preaching: Highlight divine sufficiency amid human weakness.
• Counseling: ApplyDaniel 3:17 and 6:20–23 to trials, affirming God’s ability to save or sustain.
• Leadership: Cultivate humility, remembering God “is able to humble” the proud.
• Prayer: Seek revelation with confidence that the Lord can disclose mysteries as He did for Daniel.
Conclusion
Every occurrence of this verb in Daniel reinforces one lesson: God is able. His unmatched power secures His people, overrules human schemes, and assures the final triumph of His kingdom.
Forms and Transliterations
הַיְכִ֥ל היכל וְיָכְלָ֖ה ויכלה יְכֵ֔לְתָּ יִכֻּ֥ל יָכְלִ֖ין יָכְלִ֣ין יָכְלִ֤ין יָכִ֖ל יוּכַ֖ל יוכל יכל יכלין יכלת תִיכּ֥וּל תִּכ֨וּל תיכול תכול hay·ḵil hayChil hayḵil ti·ḵūl ṯî·kūl tiChul tiKul tiḵūl ṯîkūl veyacheLah wə·yā·ḵə·lāh wəyāḵəlāh yā·ḵə·lîn yā·ḵil yacheLin yaChil yāḵəlîn yāḵil yə·ḵê·lə·tā yeCheleta yəḵêlətā yik·kul yikkul yū·ḵal yuChal yūḵal
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