### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb H2163 (זָמַן, *zâman*) is a primitive root, conveying the fundamental sense of "to fix" or "to appoint." Its primary semantic range revolves around the establishment of a set time, a designated place, or a predetermined course of action. While the root itself is relatively rare in the Hebrew Bible, its occurrences illuminate nuances of intentionality and pre-arrangement. It implies a deliberate act of setting something apart for a specific purpose or occasion. In its Piel stem, as seen in Esther, it carries the sense of "to ordain" or "to appoint" (a time or practice). In Aramaic, as found in Daniel, its usage extends to "to prepare" or "to arrange," indicating a prior determination or setting in order.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb H2163 appears in the Hebrew Bible in three distinct passages, two of which are in Aramaic sections, offering limited yet significant insights into its usage:
1. **[[Esther 9:27]]**: "The Jews ordained and took upon themselves, and upon their descendants, and upon all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to their writing and according to their appointed time every year."
* Here, the Piel form *zimmĕnû* (זִמְּנוּ) is used in parallel with "took upon themselves" (קִבְּלוּ), emphasizing the deliberate and formal act of *ordaining* or *appointing* the annual observance of Purim. It signifies a collective decision to fix a perpetual custom, thereby establishing a specific time for its commemoration. This highlights the concept of establishing a binding decree or practice.
2. **[[Ezra 10:14]]**: "Let now our leaders of all the assembly stand, and let all those in our cities who have married foreign wives come at *appointed* times, and with them the elders of every city and its judges, until the fierce wrath of our God over this matter is turned away from us."
* In this passage, the Pual participle *mĕzummānîm* (מְזֻמָּנִים) is used to describe "times" (עִתִּים) as "appointed" or "designated." The context is the assembly to address the issue of foreign wives, where specific, pre-arranged times were necessary for the proceedings. This usage underscores the idea of a fixed, scheduled occasion, emphasizing order and due process in a critical communal matter.
3. **[[Daniel 2:9]]**: (Aramaic) "but if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, there is but one decree for you. For you have *prepared* lying and corrupt words to speak before me until the situation changes. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation."
* The Aramaic form *zimmintūn* (זִמִּנְתּוּן) is translated as "prepared" or "arranged." Nebuchadnezzar accuses his wise men of having intentionally *set up* or *contrived* deceitful words, waiting for a more opportune moment. This extends the meaning from merely fixing a time to the intentional preparation or arrangement of something (in this case, words) with a specific purpose or outcome in mind. It speaks to a deliberate, strategic pre-planning.
### Related Words & Concepts
The limited occurrences of H2163 mean direct lexical parallels are few. However, related concepts and derived forms offer further insight:
* **H2164 (זְמָן, *zĕmān*)**: This is the Aramaic noun form derived from the same root, meaning "appointed time," "season," or "occasion." It appears frequently in Daniel and Ezra (e.g., [[Daniel 2:16]], [[Daniel 3:7]], [[Ezra 5:3]]), reinforcing the core idea of a fixed or designated period. The verb H2163 is the action of *making* or *setting* such a time.
* **H6256 (עֵת, *‘ēt*)**: This common Hebrew noun for "time," "season," or "occasion" often carries the connotation of an *appointed* or *opportune* time, much like the sense implied by H2163. While H6256 is a general term for time, H2163 describes the act of *fixing* that time.
* **H3259 (יָעַד, *ya‘ad*)**: This verb means "to appoint," "to fix," or "to meet at an appointed place/time." It shares a strong semantic overlap with H2163 in the context of setting appointments or designating meetings. For example, the "tent of meeting" (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, *’ōhel mô‘ēd*) uses a derivative of H3259, signifying a *fixed* or *appointed* place for encounter.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Timing**: The concept of God "appointing" or "fixing" times is a significant theological theme, often expressed through verbs like H7760 (שׂוּם, *sûm*, "to set, place") or H6485 (פָּקַד, *pāqad*, "to appoint, visit"). While H2163 is not used directly of God's action in the preserved texts, its meaning contributes to the broader understanding of divinely ordained times and seasons.
### Theological Significance
Though H2163 is not extensively used to describe divine action, its occurrences highlight important theological principles:
1. **Human Responsibility and Order**: The use of H2163 in Esther and Ezra underscores the human capacity and responsibility to establish order, make binding decisions, and adhere to appointed times. The Jews "ordained" the feast of Purim, demonstrating their agency in committing to a perpetual observance. Similarly, the "appointed times" in Ezra for addressing sin reflect the need for structured, orderly processes within the community of faith to uphold righteousness. This speaks to the practical outworking of covenant faithfulness.
2. **Intentionality and Preparation**: In Daniel, the sense of "preparing" or "contriving" words points to the intentionality behind human actions, whether for good or ill. This subtly touches upon the moral dimension of human agency: words can be deliberately "prepared" to deceive, just as righteous actions can be "appointed" for a holy purpose. It reminds us that actions and words are often the result of prior determination.
3. **The Nature of Time and Divine Providence**: While H2163 describes human appointment, its very existence as a concept points to the significance of "time" (cf. H2164) in biblical thought. Time is not merely a passive medium but a dimension that can be ordered, appointed, and filled with purpose. This resonates with the broader biblical theme of God's sovereign control over all times and seasons (e.g., [[Daniel 2:21]], [[Acts 1:7]]), even when humans are the agents of appointment. The human act of "fixing a time" mirrors, on a finite scale, God's infinite wisdom in ordering creation and redemptive history. It emphasizes that life is not chaotic but unfolds according to set patterns and purposes, whether humanly or divinely ordained.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb H2163 (זָמַן, *zâman*) is a rare but significant root meaning "to fix" or "to appoint." Its occurrences in [[Esther 9:27]], [[Ezra 10:14]], and [[Daniel 2:9]] reveal its application to the intentional establishment of times, practices, or even the preparation of actions. In Esther, it signifies the *ordination* of a perpetual custom; in Ezra, the *appointment* of specific times for communal action; and in Daniel, the *preparation* or *contriving* of words. The related Aramaic noun H2164 (זְמָן) further solidifies its connection to "appointed time." Theologically, H2163 underscores human responsibility in establishing order and making intentional decisions within the framework of God's overarching providence. It highlights the purposeful nature of time and action, whether ordained by humans or ultimately by the divine will.
TRV