Lexical Summary
eta: To wrap, envelop, cover
Original Word:עֵטָא
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:`eta'
Pronunciation:ah-TAH
Phonetic Spelling:(ay-taw')
KJV: counsel
NASB:discretion
Word Origin:[(Aramaic) fromH327 (אֲחַשׁתָּרָן - royal)2]
1. prudence
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
counsel
(Aramaic) fromy'at,; prudence -- counsel.
see HEBREWy'at,
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) from
yaetDefinitioncounsel
NASB Translationdiscretion (1).
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Immediate ContextThe single occurrence of עֵטָא in the Old Testament appears inDaniel 2:14, where Daniel addresses Arioch “with wisdom and tact” (Berean Standard Bible). The term denotes sound counsel arising from thoughtful deliberation. Within the narrative it highlights the contrast between Nebuchadnezzar’s rash decree to execute all the wise men and Daniel’s measured, God-dependent response. Daniel’s use of עֵטָא becomes the turning point that delays judgment long enough for divine revelation to arrive (Daniel 2:16–18).
Connection to the Wisdom Tradition
Although Daniel’s book is written partly in Aramaic, the underlying concept embodied by עֵטָא harmonizes with the Hebrew wisdom literature:
•Proverbs 11:14 – “Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
•Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
•Ecclesiastes 8:1 – “Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of a thing? Wisdom brightens his face and changes its stern appearance.”
Daniel demonstrates these principles in action. He neither panics nor capitulates but seeks God for supernatural insight (Daniel 2:17–19), embodying the ideal sage who marries prudent speech with steadfast faith.
Biblical Theology of Counsel versus Rashness
Scripture repeatedly juxtaposes godly counsel with impulsive or wicked decisions:
• Saul’s hasty oath endangers Israel (1 Samuel 14:24–46).
• Rehoboam rejects elder counsel, splitting the kingdom (1 Kings 12:6–19).
• Esther, guided by Mordecai’s counsel, averts genocide (Esther 4:13–16; 7:3–6).
עֵטָא therefore aligns Daniel with a redemptive pattern in which wise, Spirit-shaped counsel preserves God’s people and advances His purposes.
Ministry Significance
1. Dependence on Revelation
Daniel’s counsel flows from prayerful reliance on God (Daniel 2:18). Authentic Christian leadership today likewise couples strategic thinking with intercession.
2. Respectful Engagement with Authority
Daniel speaks courteously to a pagan official. His example encourages believers to address civil structures with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15) while remaining faithful to biblical convictions.
3. Crisis Management
In life-and-death circumstances Daniel models calm persuasion, underscoringProverbs 16:21: “The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.”
4. Evangelistic Impact
Daniel’s prudent words lead to Nebuchadnezzar’s acknowledgment that Daniel’s God “is the God of gods and Lord of kings” (Daniel 2:47). Wise counsel can open doors for testimony.
New Testament Echoes
The Greek New Testament often translates similar ideas with terms such as βουλή (counsel) and φρονίμως (prudently). Jesus commends shrewdness joined to innocence (Matthew 10:16), and Paul urges believers to “walk in wisdom toward outsiders” (Colossians 4:5). Daniel’s עֵטָא prefigures this balance of discernment and bold faith.
Summary
Though attested only once, עֵטָא encapsulates a vital biblical virtue: God-honoring counsel that blends insight, restraint, and dependence on divine revelation. Daniel’s deployment of such counsel rescues lives, reveals God’s sovereignty, and provides a timeless template for believers who seek to navigate complex cultural settings with wisdom rooted in Scripture.
Forms and Transliterations
עֵטָ֣א עטא ‘ê·ṭā ‘êṭā eTa
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
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