Bible Word Study
זְמַן
zᵉman · to agree (on a time and place)
זְמַן
to agree (on a time and place)
Definition
The Hebrew verb זְמַן (zᵉman) means to appoint, designate, or agree upon a specific time. In its sole biblical occurrence, it carries the sense of setting a time for an event, specifically for a decree or judgment to be issued. This meaning is closely tied to the idea of preparation or arrangement, as seen in the Aramaic context of Daniel 2:9. The word emphasizes deliberate, premeditated action rather than a spontaneous occurrence.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Daniel 2:9, within the Aramaic portion of the book. In this context, King Nebuchadnezzar accuses his wise men of trying to 'gain time' (KJV: 'prepare lying and corrupt words'), implying they are attempting to manipulate or delay a set appointment for delivering an interpretation. The usage highlights a formal, royal setting where timing is strategically controlled.
Etymology
זְמַן is an Aramaic word corresponding to the Hebrew root זָמַן (H2163), which means to appoint, designate, or invite. The root conveys the idea of fixing or determining something, particularly a point in time. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to appointed times or seasons, reinforcing its temporal focus.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, זְמַן touches on the biblical theme of divine and human sovereignty over time. In Daniel, human attempts to control timing contrast with God's sovereign appointment of times and seasons (Daniel 2:21). Understanding this word enriches reading by highlighting how God's purposes unfold at His appointed moments, beyond human manipulation. In the ancient Near Eastern context of Daniel, royal decrees and judgments were often set for specific times, reflecting structured governance. The accusation in Daniel 2:9 suggests that delaying such appointed times was seen as deceitful or rebellious, indicating the cultural importance of adhering to set schedules in official matters. עֵת (ʿēt, H6256) — a more common noun for 'time' or 'season', whereas זְמַן is a verb focusing on the act of appointing that time. יָעַד (yāʿad, H3259) — means to appoint or meet, often used for God designating a place or time, but with a broader covenantal connotation.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]