(Aramaic) corresponding to זָמַן; to agree (on a time and place); prepare.
Transliteration:zᵉman
Pronunciation:zem-an'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb zᵉman (`{{H2164}}`) corresponds directly to the Hebrew zaman (`{{H2163}}`), which denotes an "appointed time" or "fixed season." The base definition for zᵉman encompasses the active sense of "to agree (on a time and place)" or "to prepare." This implies an intentional act of setting or determining a specific period or occasion, often with a view towards subsequent action or arrangement. The semantic range therefore extends from the simple act of appointing a time to the more complex idea of conspiring or making preparations for an event at a pre-determined moment. It speaks to the human capacity, or indeed the divine prerogative, to structure and define periods within the flow of time.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic term, zᵉman (`{{H2164}}`) is found exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Book of Daniel. Its limited occurrences, however, provide insightful contextual nuances:
* **[[Daniel 2:9]]**: King Nebuchadnezzar, frustrated with his wise men's inability to reveal his dream, declares, "if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, there is but one decree for you. For you have agreed (וּזְמִנְתּוּן - *u-zᵉmintûn*) to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the situation changes." Here, zᵉman carries a negative connotation, implying a conspiracy or an agreement among the wise men to stall for time, to "buy time," or to concoct a deceptive narrative. It highlights a human attempt to manipulate circumstances by controlling the temporal aspect.
* **[[Daniel 2:16]]**: In contrast, after hearing the king's decree, "Then Daniel went in and requested of the king that he would give him time (זְמָן - *zᵉman*), that he might show the king the interpretation." In this instance, zᵉman is used positively, denoting a request for an appointed interval or opportunity. Daniel seeks this time not for deceit, but for prayer and divine revelation, demonstrating a reliance on God's provision within a humanly granted timeframe.
These two occurrences in close proximity within Daniel 2 showcase the word's versatility, ranging from a conspiratorial "agreement on a time" to a legitimate "request for time." Both usages, however, revolve around the concept of a specific, designated period.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct cognate to zᵉman (`{{H2164}}`) is the Hebrew zaman (`{{H2163}}`), which similarly refers to an "appointed time" or "season." Other significant terms related to time and appointment in biblical literature include:
* 'eth (`{{H6256}}`): A general term for time, a season, or a specific point in time.
* mo'ed (`{{H4150}}`): An appointed time, a fixed festival, or a designated meeting place. This word often carries strong theological weight, referring to God's appointed times for worship or divine encounters.
* iddan (`{{H5732}}`): Another Aramaic word for "time" or "season," frequently used in Daniel to describe periods of divine judgment or historical epochs, often emphasizing God's sovereign control over these periods (e.g., [[Daniel 7:12]], [[Daniel 7:25]]).
Conceptually, zᵉman relates to themes of divine timing, human planning, preparation, opportunity, and even conspiracy when used in a negative sense.
### Theological Significance
While zᵉman (`{{H2164}}`) is primarily a descriptive term for "time" or "appointment," its theological significance emerges from its context in Daniel, particularly in relation to God's sovereignty over all temporal matters.
In [[Daniel 2:9]], the king's accusation highlights the futility of human attempts to manipulate or deceive by "agreeing upon a time." This stands in stark contrast to the divine order, where God alone "changes times and seasons" ([[Daniel 2:21]]). The wise men's zᵉman for deceit is ultimately powerless against the divine knowledge revealed through Daniel.
Conversely, Daniel's request for zᵉman in [[Daniel 2:16]] demonstrates a humble reliance on God's intervention within a humanly granted period. This showcases how even humanly appointed or requested times can be consecrated and utilized by God for His redemptive purposes. It underscores that true wisdom and revelation come not from human machinations within a designated time, but from God's sovereign disclosure.
The broader theological implication is that all times and seasons, whether seemingly humanly appointed or divinely ordained, are ultimately under the control of the Almighty. Human zᵉman—whether for conspiracy or for earnest seeking—is always subsumed within the grander, immutable iddan (divine seasons) set by God.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb zᵉman (`{{H2164}}`) signifies "to agree (on a time and place)" or "to prepare," indicating the active determination or setting of a specific period. Its occurrences in the Book of Daniel illustrate a nuanced semantic range: from the negative connotation of conspiring to gain time ([[Daniel 2:9]]) to the neutral or positive sense of requesting a specific interval for a legitimate purpose ([[Daniel 2:16]]). Closely related to the Hebrew zaman (`{{H2163}}`) and conceptually linked to other terms for "time" like mo'ed (`{{H4150}}`) and iddan (`{{H5732}}`), zᵉman highlights the tension between human attempts to control or manipulate time and God's ultimate sovereignty. Theologically, it reminds us that while humans may appoint or agree upon times, all such instances remain subject to the overarching divine plan and timing, demonstrating God's ultimate control over all history and revelation.
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