be.a denotes making a request or petition, and in some clauses seeking or striving for an intended outcome.

The dominant use concerns addressing a king, God, or another person with a request or petition; several clauses also use the verb for seeking an outcome, including finding an accusation, pursuing rescue, or intending death.

1. Making a request or petition · dominant

   In Daniel 2:16, the Qal perfect form occurs when Daniel goes before the king concerning time to declare the interpretation; the APB renders the clause “requested from the king.” The same request-directed use appears when Daniel seeks information from God in Daniel 2:23, when he addresses the king in Daniel 2:49, and when petitions are made to a god, man, or ruler in Daniel 6:12, Daniel 6:13, and Daniel 7:16.

   Daniel 2:16Daniel 2:23Daniel 2:49Daniel 6:12Daniel 6:13Daniel 7:16
2. Seeking or striving for an outcome · common

   In Daniel 2:13, the plural Qal perfect is in the action directed toward killing Daniel and his companions, which the APB renders “they sought to kill.” Daniel 2:18 concerns seeking mercies, while Daniel 6:5 concerns finding an occasion against Daniel and Daniel 6:14 concerns the king's effort to rescue him; the APB presents these clauses with “sought,” “find,” and “striving.”

   Daniel 2:13Daniel 2:18Daniel 6:5Daniel 6:14

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the relevant clauses with “requested,” “petition,” “sought,” and “striving.” In Daniel 4:33 and Daniel 6:8, the translation does not clearly isolate this verb's contribution, so those renderings do not establish a more specific nuance.