(Aramaic) corresponding to בִּנְיָן; {an edifice}; building.
Transliteration:binyân
Pronunciation:bin-yawn'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic noun H1147, *binyân* (בִּנְיָן), signifies a "building" or "edifice." It denotes a constructed physical structure. As an Aramaic term, its usage is confined to the Aramaic sections of the biblical text, specifically in the books of Daniel and Ezra. The base definition explicitly states its correspondence to the Hebrew *binyân* (`{{H1146}}`), indicating a shared semantic core despite linguistic distinction. The semantic range of H1147 is quite focused, primarily referring to large, significant structures, whether secular or sacred.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
H1147 appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of Scripture, offering distinct contextual insights:
* **Daniel 4:30**: In this passage, King Nebuchadnezzar boasts, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal dwelling place and for the glory of my majesty?" Here, *binyân* (translated as "built" referring to the city itself) underscores human pride and the transient nature of earthly power. The "building" of Babylon represents the pinnacle of human achievement and ambition, yet it is immediately contrasted with divine sovereignty and judgment.
* **Ezra 5:8**: Referring to the Second Temple, the text states, "Let it be known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with great stones, and timber is being laid in the walls. This work is being done diligently and is prospering in their hands." Here, *binyân* describes the ongoing construction of the Temple, emphasizing the physical work involved in rebuilding God's sacred house.
* **Ezra 6:3-4**: King Cyrus's decree concerning the Temple states, "Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices are offered, and let its foundations be retained, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, with three rows of great stones and one row of timber; and let the expenses be paid from the king's treasury." While the specific word *binyân* is not present in the English translation of these verses, the context clearly refers to the "building" or "structure" of the Temple, highlighting its dimensions and materials.
* **Ezra 6:8**: Darius's decree further commands, "Moreover, I issue a decree concerning what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: the cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal treasury, from the tribute of the province Beyond the River." Here, *binyân* refers to the *process* and *project* of building the Temple, emphasizing the royal support for its completion.
* **Ezra 6:15**: "And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king." This verse marks the completion of the "building" of the Temple, signifying the culmination of the restoration effort.
Across these occurrences, a stark contrast emerges: the *binyân* of Babylon represents human hubris and eventual downfall, while the *binyân* of the Temple signifies divine command, faithful obedience, and the restoration of sacred worship.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Aramaic H1147, *binyân*, is intimately connected to its Hebrew cognate, also *binyân* (`{{H1146}}`), which carries the same core meaning of "building" or "structure." Both nouns are derived from the verbal root *bânâh* (`{{H1129}}`), meaning "to build, to construct." This root is foundational to understanding the concept, as it describes the active process of creation and establishment.
Related concepts include:
* **Architecture/Construction**: The practical aspects of erecting structures.
* **Edifice/Structure**: The physical outcome of building.
* **Temple/House of God**: A specific, sacred type of building central to Israelite worship and theology.
* **City/Dwelling**: Broader categories of human habitation and organization.
* **Foundation**: The base upon which a building is established, often carrying theological weight (e.g., Christ as the foundation).
The theological implications of "building" extend beyond mere construction to encompass ideas of establishment, permanence, and the dwelling place of God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *binyân* is profound, particularly in its contrasting uses:
* **Human Pride vs. Divine Mandate**: In Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar's boast about the "great Babylon" he has built (H1147) exemplifies human self-aggrandizement and the transient nature of earthly kingdoms built apart from God. This stands in stark contrast to the "building" of the Temple in Ezra. The Temple's construction is a divine imperative, a work commanded and sustained by God, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant people. It is a building for God's glory, not human pride.
* **The Dwelling Place of God**: The most prominent use of *binyân* in Ezra refers to the Second Temple. This physical "building" was the consecrated space where God's presence was understood to dwell among His people. Its rebuilding after the Babylonian exile was not merely an architectural project but a crucial act of spiritual and national restoration, signifying the re-establishment of the covenant relationship and the centrality of worship. The finished "building" was a tangible sign of God's commitment to His people and their return to Him.
* **Restoration and Hope**: The successful completion of the Temple *binyân* in Ezra symbolized the restoration of Israel's spiritual life and national identity post-exile. It offered hope for a renewed relationship with God and the re-establishment of their sacred practices. The physical structure became an emblem of God's enduring promises and His power to bring His people back from desolation.
### Summary
H1147, *binyân*, is an Aramaic noun meaning "building" or "edifice." Its limited but impactful occurrences in Daniel and Ezra highlight a critical theological distinction. In Daniel, it describes the city of Babylon, a monument to human pride and ambition, ultimately subject to divine judgment. In Ezra, *binyân* consistently refers to the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, a divinely commanded work symbolizing God's faithfulness, the restoration of His people, and the re-establishment of His dwelling place among them. Thus, *binyân* serves as a powerful linguistic marker, contrasting human-centric endeavors with God-ordained projects, underscoring the sacred nature of the Temple as the locus of divine presence and a beacon of hope for a restored Israel. It is intrinsically linked to the verb "to build" (`{{H1129}}`) and its Hebrew cognate (`{{H1146}}`), emphasizing both the act of construction and the resulting physical structure.
TRV