אֱדַיִן
then (of time)
Definition
אֱדַיִן is an Aramaic adverb meaning 'then' or 'at that time,' used to mark a sequential or consequential moment in a narrative. It primarily indicates a temporal sequence, signaling what happened next after a preceding event, as seen in Ezra 4:9 and 4:23. In some contexts, it can carry a logical or inferential sense, meaning 'therefore' or 'consequently,' highlighting a cause-and-effect relationship within the story, such as in Ezra 5:2. The word consistently functions to advance the timeline or argument of the passages where it appears.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Ezra (e.g., Ezra 4:9, 4:24, 5:4, 5:16) and Daniel (e.g., Daniel 2:14, 3:13, 4:19, 6:12). It appears in historical and prophetic narratives to denote chronological progression, often introducing the next action in a sequence of events. For example, in Ezra 5:2, it marks the response of Zerubbabel and Jeshua to the prophets' encouragement, and in Daniel 2:14, it introduces Daniel's prudent reaction to a decree.
Etymology
Derived from Aramaic, with an uncertain specific root. It is cognate with the Hebrew adverb אָז (ʼāz, H227), which also means 'then' or 'at that time,' though אֱדַיִן is used only in Aramaic contexts. Its development reflects a standard temporal marker in Northwest Semitic languages for sequencing events in narration.
Semantic Range
While primarily a narrative connector, אֱדַיִן is theologically significant as it structures the unfolding of God's providential actions in history, particularly in the post-exilic period and in prophetic visions. In books like Ezra and Daniel, it highlights moments of divine intervention, human response, and the fulfillment of God's purposes over time. Understanding this term helps readers see the deliberate pacing and causality in biblical narratives, emphasizing that events in salvation history are ordered and purposeful.
In its original Aramaic setting, אֱדַיִן was a common literary and spoken term for marking time in official documents and stories, reflecting the administrative and courtly language of the Persian Empire. Its usage in biblical texts aligns with the cultural practice of chronicling events with clear temporal markers, which was essential for legal, historical, and prophetic communication in the ancient Near East.
אָז (ʼāz, H227) — Hebrew equivalent meaning 'then,' used in Hebrew portions of the Old Testament; כִּי (kî, H3588) — often 'because' or 'when,' but can indicate temporal sequence in some contexts; עַתָּה (ʻattâ, H6258) — 'now,' referring to the present moment rather than a sequential 'then.'
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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