אִלֵּין
these
Definition
אִלֵּין is an Aramaic demonstrative pronoun meaning 'these' or 'those,' used to point out specific items or persons in a plural context. In the Book of Daniel, it consistently refers to plural entities that are previously mentioned or understood, such as kingdoms in Daniel 2:40 and 2:44, or officials in Daniel 6:2 and 6:6. It functions identically to its shorter form אִלֵּן, both serving to make the antecedent nouns definite and specific within the narrative.
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Book of Daniel, occurring five times. It is used in prophetic and administrative contexts to specify plural nouns that are critical to the passage's meaning. For example, in Daniel 2:40 and 2:44, it points to the kingdoms in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, while in Daniel 6:2 and 6:6, it refers to the satraps and officials under Darius. In Daniel 7:17, it identifies the four great beasts in Daniel's vision, emphasizing their collective significance.
Etymology
Derived from the Aramaic demonstrative element אֵל (H412, 'this'), אִלֵּין is a prolonged form, with the suffix -ין indicating a plural. It is cognate with the Hebrew אֵלֶּה (H428, 'these'), showing the linguistic relationship between Hebrew and Aramaic. The shorter variant אִלֵּן shares the same root and meaning, reflecting common Aramaic morphology for demonstratives.
Semantic Range
As a common demonstrative pronoun, אִלֵּין does not carry direct theological weight. Its importance lies in its role within the Aramaic sections of Daniel, where it helps clarify prophetic symbols and historical details, aiding in the interpretation of God's sovereignty over nations and events. Understanding its function enriches reading by highlighting the specificity of divine revelations in Daniel's visions.
In its Aramaic setting, אִלֵּין reflects the linguistic environment of the Babylonian and Persian periods, when Aramaic was a lingua franca. Its usage in Daniel aligns with administrative and prophetic discourse common in court contexts, showing how biblical authors employed the language of their time to communicate God's messages to a diverse audience.
אֵלֶּה (ʼēlleh, H428) — Hebrew equivalent meaning 'these,' used throughout the Hebrew Bible. אִלֵּן (ʼillēn, H459) — Shorter Aramaic form with identical meaning and usage in Daniel.
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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