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H574 · Hebrew · Old Testament
אֵמְתָנִי
Emtaniy
Adjective
Terrible, huge, strong

Definition

Emtaniy (אֵמְתָנִי) is an adjective describing something of extreme power, terribleness, or enormous size. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible (Daniel 2:31), in the description of the great statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream as "awesome" or "terrible" in appearance. This is an Aramaic-influenced Hebrew form.

Usage & Theological Significance

The word powerfully characterizes earthly kingdoms in their magnificence — the great statue represents successive world empires. Yet the vision's climax is a stone cut "without human hands" (Daniel 2:34) that destroys the statue, teaching that no matter how emtaniy (terrible, awesome) human power appears, God's kingdom alone is eternal. The word reminds believers not to be overwhelmed by worldly might.

Key Bible Verses

Daniel 2:31 Your Majesty looked, and there before you stood a large statue — an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance.
Daniel 2:44 In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people.
Psalm 76:4 You are radiant with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game.
Isaiah 40:15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
Revelation 13:1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea.

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