Daggala means false, or a liar, someone who lies and deceives on purpose. The word is built on the pattern for a person who does something by habit. The Gospels use it for the false prophets in sheep's clothing and for the accuser, a liar and the father of lying.
| Form | Pattern | Transliteration | Script | Standard | Qala rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjective plural, "false (prophets)" | habitual-doer pattern, plural | dagāle | דגלא ܕ݁ܰܓ݁ܳܠܶܐ | false prophet | false · lying · false (prophet) |
| Noun, "a liar" | d- + dagālā, singular | ddagālā | דדגלא ܕ݁ܕ݂ܰܓ݁ܳܠܳܐ | liar | a liar (Jn 8:44) |
| Sibling root, "falsehood" | different root, k-d-b + abstract -utā | kadābutā | כדבותא ܟ݁ܰܕ݁ܳܒ݂ܽܘܬ݂ܳܐ | lying | lying, falsehood (Jn 8:44) |
The Pael verb daggel, to lie or deceive, is found in the classical dictionaries, but the Gospels use only its noun, daggala.
Catch one small untruth today, something you said or told yourself because you wanted it to be so. Say what is actually true, then say daggala, false, aloud.