qe.tar denotes knots to be loosed and, in the king’s distress, the joints of his hips.

The attested use most often occurs in statements that Daniel can loose knots; a separate construct-form use names the joints of the king’s hips as they are loosened in alarm.

1. Knots to be loosed · dominant

   In Daniel 5:12 and Daniel 5:16, the masculine plural absolute form occurs in statements about Daniel’s ability to interpret and to loose knots. The APB renders the relevant clause as “to loose knots” in both verses.

   Daniel 5:12Daniel 5:16
2. Joints of the hips · occasional

   In Daniel 5:6, the masculine plural construct form occurs in the clause about the king’s hips when his thoughts alarm him. The APB renders the clause, “the joints of his hips were loosened.”

   Daniel 5:6

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the plural forms as “knots” in Daniel 5:12 and Daniel 5:16, and the construct form as “joints” in Daniel 5:6. These renderings describe the clauses rather than establish a precise English equivalent.