5894. ir

Lexicon

ir: City, town

Original Word: עִיר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `iyr
Pronunciation: eer
Phonetic Spelling: (eer)
Definition: waking, watchful, wakeful one, watcher, angel
Meaning: a watcher, an angel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

watcher

(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to uwr; a watcher, i.e. An angel (as guardian) -- watcher.

see HEBREW uwr

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to ur
Definition
waking or wakeful one
NASB Translation
watcher (2), watchers (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

עִיר noun masculine waking, or wakeful, one, i.e. angel (√עיר, compare Syriac wake, waking (PS²⁸⁴³), Jewish-Aramaic עִיר, Late Hebrew עֵיר adjective awake); — absolute ׳ע Daniel 4:10; Daniel 4:20; plural absolute עִירִין Daniel 4:14; Aq Symm. ἐγρήγορος; compare Charles^{Enoch i. 5}; xxxix. 12; also p. 356 Dr^{on the passage}; doubtful is the connection with Phoenician Zophesemim (Euseb^{Praep. Evang. 10}), i.e. צפי שמים watchers of heaven, as keeping watch over or spying out (Zim^{KAT 3. 629} Jerem^{Atim Licht d. AO 63}).

עַל, עֵלָּא see עלה. עִלָּה see I. עלל.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Aramaic root עוּר (ʿûr), meaning "to be awake" or "to watch."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of watchers as divine messengers can be loosely associated with the Greek term ἄγγελος (angelos), Strong's Greek Number 32, which is commonly translated as "angel" in the New Testament. While ἄγγελος is a broader term encompassing all angelic beings, the specific role of watchers as described in Daniel is a unique aspect of the Hebrew and Aramaic tradition.

Usage: The term עִיר is used in the context of divine beings, specifically referring to angels or watchers. It appears in the Aramaic sections of the Book of Daniel.

Context: The term עִיר (ʿîr) is found in the Book of Daniel, specifically in the Aramaic portions of the text. It is used to describe celestial beings known as "watchers." These watchers are depicted as holy angels who are vigilant and observant, carrying out the decrees of God. The concept of watchers is particularly noted in Daniel 4, where King Nebuchadnezzar recounts his dream of a great tree that is cut down by the decree of a watcher, a holy one. This passage highlights the role of watchers as executors of divine judgment and messengers of God's will.

In Daniel 4:13 (BSB), the text states: "As I lay on my bed, I also saw in the visions of my mind a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven." This indicates the heavenly origin and the sacred duty of these beings. The watchers are portrayed as having authority and power, acting as intermediaries between the divine and the earthly realms.

The concept of watchers is unique to the Book of Daniel within the canonical texts, though it resonates with other ancient Near Eastern traditions that speak of divine beings who observe and influence human affairs. The role of watchers in Daniel underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and the belief that God is actively involved in the governance of the world through His messengers.

Forms and Transliterations

עִ֣יר עִירִין֙ עיר עירין ‘î·rîn ‘îr ‘îrîn ir iRin

Englishman's Concordance

Daniel 4:13
HEB: מִשְׁכְּבִ֑י וַאֲלוּ֙ עִ֣יר וְקַדִּ֔ישׁ מִן־
NAS: and behold, an [angelic] watcher, a holy one,
KJV: and, behold, a watcher and an holy one
INT: my bed and behold an watcher A holy from

Daniel 4:17
HEB: בִּגְזֵרַ֤ת עִירִין֙ פִּתְגָמָ֔א וּמֵאמַ֥ר
NAS: is by the decree of the [angelic] watchers And the decision
KJV: [is] by the decree of the watchers, and the demand
INT: the decree of the watchers sentence command

Daniel 4:23
HEB: חֲזָ֣ה מַלְכָּ֡א עִ֣יר וְקַדִּ֣ישׁ נָחִ֣ת ׀
NAS: saw an [angelic] watcher, a holy one,
KJV: saw a watcher and an holy one
INT: saw the king an watcher A holy descending

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5894
3 Occurrences

‘îr — 2 Occ.
‘î·rîn — 1 Occ.