be.ram marks a qualifying or contrasting turn between statements in the supplied Aramaic passages.

The attested forms function as a connector introducing a contrasting or qualifying statement: the APB makes this transition explicit in Daniel 2:28, Daniel 5:17, and Ezra 5:13, while its contribution is not separately clear in the tree descriptions of Daniel 4:12 and Daniel 4:20.

1. Connector marking a qualifying turn · dominant

   The conjunction-tagged forms introduce or stand within a transition between statements: in Daniel 2:28 the APB renders the clause “But there is a god in heaven who reveals mysteries,” and in Ezra 5:13 it renders “However” before Cyrus's decree. In Daniel 5:17, where the form is tagged Adverb, the APB renders “Nevertheless” as Daniel declines the gifts but says he will read and interpret the writing; in Daniel 4:12 and Daniel 4:20 the APB does not separately display a corresponding transition in the descriptions of the tree.

   Daniel 2:28Daniel 4:12Daniel 4:20Daniel 5:17Ezra 5:13

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB varies its presentation, using “But” in Daniel 2:28, “Nevertheless” in Daniel 5:17, and “However” in Ezra 5:13. It does not visibly represent the term in Daniel 4:12 or Daniel 4:20.