English · KJV
H1782

דַּיָּן

dayân /dah-yawn'/ Ask about this word
Root(Aramaic) corresponding to דַּיָּן
Meaning(a judge or advocate)
KJV usagejudge.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of dayân — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word dayân, represented by H1782, is the corresponding term for a judge or advocate. This specific word is quite rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse within the entire biblical text.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single use of H1782 occurs in Ezra 7:25, where Ezra is given a charge to establish a system of governance. He is instructed to act according to the wisdom H2452 of his God H426 and set H4483 both magistrates and judges H1782 over the people. The jurisdiction of these officials was for all H3606 the people H5972 living beyond H5675 the river H5103. Their purpose was twofold: to judge H1778 those who knew God's laws H1882 and to teach H3046 those who did not.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words help frame the context of judgment and legal authority:

  • H1778 dîyn (to judge): This verb is the direct action associated with the noun dayân. In Ezra 7:25, it specifies the function these appointed judges are to perform.
  • H8200 shᵉphaṭ (magistrate): This term for a judicial officer is used in conjunction with judges H1782 in the command to Ezra, outlining the establishment of a broader legal system Ezra 7:25.
  • H1882 dâth (decree, law): This word provides the standard by which the judges were to operate. Their authority was rooted in administering the laws of God Ezra 7:25.

Theological Significance

The significance of H1782 is found in its role within the establishment of a divinely ordered society.

  • Application of Divine Wisdom: The appointment of judges was not a mere political act but an exercise of God's wisdom H2452 through human leadership, meant to bring order to the community Ezra 7:25.
  • Justice and Instruction: The role of the judge was intrinsically linked to knowledge of God's laws H1882. Their function was not only to adjudicate but also to ensure the law was known by teaching it to the uninformed.
  • Authority Under God: The command demonstrates a principle of delegated authority, where human judges are appointed to administer the justice that ultimately originates from God and is based on His revealed statutes.

Summary

In summary, while dayân H1782 is used only once, its context is highly instructive. It refers specifically to a judge appointed as part of a system of civil and religious governance for the returned exiles. Its appearance in Ezra 7:25 underscores the biblical ideal of a society where justice is administered by officials who operate under the wisdom and explicit laws of God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • דַיָּנִין
  • דִּינָיֵ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H2452 חׇכְמָה (Aramaic) corresponding to חׇכְמָה; wisdom; wisdom. H426 אֱלָהּ (Aramaic) corresponding to אֱלוֹהַּ; God; God, god. H4483 מְנָא (Aramaic) or מְנָה; (Aramaic), corresponding to מָנָה; to count, appoint; number, ordain, set. H3606 כֹּל (Aramaic) corresponding to כֹּל; {properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a pl H5972 עַם (Aramaic) corresponding to עַם; {a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (co H5675 עֲבַר (Aramaic) corresponding to עֵבֶר; {properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition)

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Ezra — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.