נְצַח

From the study of Daniel 6:3

Range of meaning

Aramaic nəṣaḥ appears only here in the Bible, in a reflexive form: 'to distinguish oneself, show oneself superior, excel'. The related Hebrew root נצח spans 'be preeminent, enduring' (nēṣaḥ, 'perpetuity, glory') and, in a related verb form, 'to supervise, lead' (Ezra 3:8–9; 1 Chr 23:4; the psalm heading lamnaṣṣēaḥ, 'for the leader').

Against the English

KJV 'was preferred above' makes Daniel passive, as if promoted or favored by someone else; the Aramaic form is reflexive and active. YLT's 'hath been overseer over' follows the Hebrew 'supervise' sense of the root, which does not fit the Aramaic reflexive form or the plot (v. 2 has already made him one of three chiefs). ESV 'became distinguished', NASB 'began distinguishing himself' and BSB 'distinguished himself' are closer. With hăwāʾ, the participle describes an ongoing situation: he kept on standing out.

How it drifted

In 1611 'preferred' meant 'advanced, promoted' (cf. Esther 2:9 KJV). Today it mostly means 'liked better', which suggests royal favoritism.

Used elsewhere in the period

The verb form is unique to this verse. The Hebrew cognates are the main comparison (BDB, HALOT). Later Jewish Aramaic uses the root for 'prevail, overcome'.