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דּוּרָא

𐤃𐤅𐤓𐤀

Dura

H1757 noun

SILEX Entry

Root דּוּר to encircle, to enclose, to build a wall, to surround

Definition

Dûrâʼ (Aramaic) designates a specific location in Babylonia known from the biblical text; its primary lexical meaning is as a proper noun, serving as a toponym. The underlying root conveys the sense of a 'circle' or 'enclosure,' and by extension, it is used to denote a 'place'—likely referencing an area characterized by a circular or walled feature. In context, Dûrâʼ occurs as the name of the plain or district near Babylon where King Nebuchadnezzar set up a large image for public worship.

Semantic Range

circular enclosure, walled area, settlement or district characterized by enclosure; as a proper noun: a specific location or plain called Dura in Babylonia

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Aramaic root דּוּר (dûr), meaning 'to encircle, form a circle, build a wall, enclose.' The noun form in Aramaic is used for 'circle, circuit, enclosure.' Accordingly, דּוּרָא acquires the sense of a 'place enclosed' or 'circular locality.' The root is related to Hebrew דּוּר/דּוֹר and Akkadian dūru, both also carrying the sense of 'wall' or 'enclosure.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Dûrâʼ appears only in Daniel 3:1, designating a specific geographical location in Babylonia associated with public ceremony. The Aramaic term is distinct from the Hebrew usage of similar roots, which more often mean 'generation' (דור) or 'dwelling' (דּוּר). Archaeological evidence references several sites named 'Dura' in Mesopotamia, reflecting the common use of the term for walled or enclosed areas. English tradition often simply transliterates the place as 'Dura,' but this obscures the underlying sense of the word as a generic toponym rooted in the architectural feature of a walled/enclosed area. In the biblical narrative, Dûrâʼ's contextual meaning relies entirely on its function as the stage for Nebuchadnezzar's image and the subsequent loyalty test for officials. Later translations may interpret the term as referencing a land feature or structure rather than a proper name, but its usage in Daniel is strictly as a locale.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) probably from דּוּר; circle or dwelling; Dura, a place in Babylonia; Dura.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

דור (d-w-r) — encircle, enclose, build a wall, surround

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1752 דּוּר from dwelling
H1753 דּוּר dwellers of
H1754 דּוּר Encircle!
H1755 דּוֹר in the generation-cycle
H1756 דּוֹר generation-cycle

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1757-01 דּוּרָ֔א dura ANp Dura Dura (Enclosed Place) 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1757-01 Daniel 3:1 דּוּרָ֔א dura ANp Dura Dura (Enclosed Place)
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