זָמַן
to fix (a time)
Definition
The Hebrew verb זָמַן (zâman) means to appoint, designate, or fix a specific time for an event or action. It carries the sense of making an official or deliberate arrangement. In its three biblical occurrences, it is used for the formal appointment of times for communal gatherings (Ezra 10:14, Nehemiah 10:34) and for the establishment of ongoing religious duties (Nehemiah 13:31). The word implies intentionality and order, moving beyond a simple suggestion to a set plan.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used exclusively in the post-exilic books of Ezra and Nehemiah, all within the context of community restoration and religious reformation. It describes the formal, public appointment of times for important civic and religious functions. For example, in Ezra 10:14, leaders are appointed to judge cases at a 'set time.' In Nehemiah 10:34, the community casts lots to determine when families will bring wood offerings at 'appointed times,' and in Nehemiah 13:31, Nehemiah arranges for the wood offering and firstfruits at 'appointed seasons.'
Etymology
זָמַן is considered a primitive root. It is related to the noun מוֹעֵד (môʿēd, H4150), meaning 'appointed time' or 'season,' often used for religious festivals. The root concept is fixing something in place, particularly in time. Cognates in other Semitic languages also point to meanings of appointing or preparing.
Semantic Range
זָמַן highlights the theological importance of divine and communal order. In the restoration period, re-establishing 'appointed times' was crucial for renewing Israel's covenant identity and worship rhythm, which were centered around God's ordained calendar (e.g., Leviticus 23). The word underscores that faithful community life requires intentional, God-honoring structure and commitment to regular corporate duties.
In the Persian-period context of Ezra and Nehemiah, 'appointing times' was a key administrative and religious act for a community rebuilding its identity. It moved beyond personal scheduling to a public, binding agreement that ensured the continuity of temple worship (like wood offerings for sacrifices) and civil justice. This formal, communal decision-making contrasts with a more informal, individualistic modern understanding of 'setting a time.'
עָשָׂה (ʿāsâ, H6213) — a broader term meaning 'to do' or 'make,' which can include appointing but lacks the specific nuance of fixing a time. קָבַע (qābaʿ, H6901) — to fix or assign, but more often for a location or amount than a time. יָעַץ (yāʿaṣ, H3289) — to advise or counsel, focusing on the planning stage rather than the final, official appointment.
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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