“Change” in the Aramaic Sections of Daniel: A Theological Word Study

Abstract The Aramaic portions of Daniel depict a complex interaction between human and divine agency. One way to explore this is by examining the trajectory of the Aramaic verb šnh (to change), which acts as a recurring motif, encouraging theological reflection on who has the authority to bring about meaningful change. God and His people are the grammatical subjects of transitive forms of this verb, while pagan kings are subjects of intransitive forms. This suggests that lasting and positive change is rooted in divine agency. Kathryn Tanner’s discussion of God’s “non-contrastive transcendence” offers a helpful reference point, showing that God’s sovereignty does not prevent humans from being agents of change. Instead, God’s ability to effect change extends to humans, enabling them to resist both external threats, such as persecution, and internal threats, such as their own pride.