Lexical Summary
tur: mountain
Original Word: טוּר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tuwr
Pronunciation: toor
Phonetic Spelling: (toor)
KJV: mountain
NASB: mountain
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H6697 (צּוּר צּוּר - rock)]
1. a rock or hill
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
mountain
(Aramaic) corresponding to tsuwr; a rock or hill -- mountain.
see HEBREW tsuwr
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to
tsurDefinitionmountain
NASB Translationmountain (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(, Syriac, Nabataean, SAC
58; Biblical Hebrew , √ V. ); — absolute
Daniel 2:35; emphatic
Daniel 2:45.
Topical Lexicon
Occurrences in Scriptureטוּר appears twice, both in the Aramaic section of Daniel (Daniel 2:35; Daniel 2:45). In each case it designates the “mountain” from which, or into which, the messianic “stone” is involved in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
Historical and Linguistic Setting
The book of Daniel alternates between Hebrew and Aramaic. Chapters 2–7 are written in Imperial Aramaic, the diplomatic language of the Babylonian and Persian courts. Within this milieu, טוּר functions as the courtly Aramaic counterpart to the Hebrew הַר (har, mountain). Its limited use underscores the vividness of the dream narrative rather than establishing a broad lexical field.
Theological Significance
1. Divine Origin
Daniel interprets the stone that “was cut out of the mountain without hands” (Daniel 2:45) as a work produced entirely by God. The mountain therefore represents the heavenly source of the kingdom that will replace all earthly empires. Unlike the composite, man-made statue, the mountain is untouched by human craftsmanship, underscoring the transcendence of God’s plan.
2. Kingdom Expansion
In Daniel 2:35 the stone “became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” The movement from singular stone to encompassing mountain graphically depicts the universality of God’s kingdom (cf. Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 11:9). טוּר is thus a symbol of unstoppable growth, contrasting with the fragmentation of the statue’s brittle feet.
3. Contrast with Pagan Power Centers
Mountains in the Ancient Near East often hosted temples to national deities. By portraying the true God’s kingdom as a mountain that eclipses the imperial image, Daniel challenges Babylonian claims of cosmic authority. The imagery confirms that “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:17).
Prophetic and Christological Implications
1. Messianic Stone
The stone “cut without hands” has long been understood as typifying the Messiah. Passages such as Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22, Matthew 21:42–44, Acts 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:6–8 link the rejected stone motif to Jesus Christ. The mountain supplying the stone, therefore, indirectly points to the Father’s initiative in sending the Son.
2. Eschatological Fulfillment
Daniel’s mountain anticipates the consummation described in Revelation 11:15: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.” The final, unified mountain-kingdom stands in stark relief against the divided metals of human empire, validating prophetic consistency from Daniel to Revelation.
Ministry Applications
• Assurance of God’s Sovereignty
Believers ministering in pluralistic or hostile environments can draw confidence from the vision of the mountain that supplants every human regime.
• Gospel Mission
The stone that “became a great mountain” encourages evangelism with the certainty that the kingdom will indeed “fill the whole earth.” Mission work participates in this foretold expansion.
• Holiness and Separation
The stone is “cut without hands,” calling the Church to rely on divine power rather than political maneuver. Ministry strategy is measured by faithfulness to the King, not by assimilation to the culture’s metals.
Related Biblical Themes and Cross References
Genesis 49:24 – “the Rock of Israel”
Exodus 19:16–20 – Sinai as meeting place with God
Psalm 18:2 – “The LORD is my rock”
Isaiah 2:2 – “The mountain of the house of the LORD will be established”
Micah 4:1–3 – worldwide pilgrimage to the mountain of the LORD
Hebrews 12:18–24 – contrast between Sinai and the heavenly Mount Zion
Summary
Though appearing only twice, טוּר powerfully serves Daniel’s purpose: to reveal a divine, everlasting kingdom that originates beyond human agency, shatters every rival power, and expands until it fills the earth. The mountain in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream therefore stands as a timeless reminder of God’s unassailable rule and the ultimate triumph of the Messiah’s kingdom.
Forms and Transliterations
לְט֥וּר לטור מִטּוּרָא֩ מטורא lə·ṭūr leTur ləṭūr miṭ·ṭū·rā mittuRa miṭṭūrā
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