עִדָּן
a set time; technically, a year
Definition
The Aramaic noun עִדָּן (ʻiddân) primarily means 'a set time' or 'appointed time.' In most of its occurrences, it refers to a specific, predetermined moment, such as the 'time' King Nebuchadnezzar gives the wise men to interpret his dream (Daniel 2:8, 2:9). In a more technical sense, it can denote a fixed period, specifically a 'year,' as seen in the prophecies concerning the king's madness lasting for 'seven times' (Daniel 4:16, 4:23, 4:25). The word consistently conveys the idea of a divinely or royally ordained timeframe.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel. It appears in contexts of royal decrees and divine pronouncements concerning fixed periods. It is used for the 'time' given for a task (Daniel 2:8, 2:9), for the general concept of times and seasons being under God's control (Daniel 2:21), and for the specific, prophetic periods of 'seven times' (years) in Daniel 4. It also appears in the decree for worship at the sound of music at a certain 'time' (Daniel 3:5, 3:15).
Etymology
This is an Aramaic word, not classical Hebrew, derived from a root corresponding to the Hebrew root ע-ו-ד (ʻ-w-d), which relates to 'witnessing' or 'repeating' and by extension, to appointed, recurring times. It is a cognate of the Hebrew עֵד (ʻēd, H5708), meaning 'witness' or 'testimony,' highlighting the concept of a time that is marked, testified to, or established.
Semantic Range
עִדָּן is theologically significant as it underscores God's sovereignty over time and history. In Daniel 2:21, it states God 'changes times and seasons,' emphasizing His control over human events and kingdoms. The prophetic use of 'seven times' (years) in Daniel 4 points to God's ordained periods for judgment and restoration, a theme central to apocalyptic literature. Understanding this word enriches the reading of Daniel by highlighting that the events unfold according to God's predetermined schedule, not by chance.
In the Aramaic court culture of Babylon depicted in Daniel, 'time' was often set by royal decree (e.g., deadlines for tasks). The concept of a 'set time' (עִדָּן) would resonate with the absolute authority of the king to establish schedules and deadlines. The prophetic use of the term for a 'year' aligns with the common ancient Near Eastern practice of measuring divine judgments or cycles in set periods of years.
זְמָן (zᵉmān, H2165) — Another Aramaic word for 'time,' often used for an appointed or fitting time, appearing alongside עִדָּן in Daniel 2:21 and 7:12. עֵת (ʻēth, H6256) — The common Hebrew word for 'time,' denoting a season, occasion, or period.
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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