English · KJV
H2166

זְמָן

zᵉmân /zem-awn'/ Ask about this word
Root(Aramaic) from זְמָן · the same as זְמָן
Meaning(an appointed occasion)
KJV usageseason, time.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of zᵉmân — 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 zᵉmân, represented by H2166, refers to an appointed occasion, season, or time. It appears 11 times across 11 unique verses, primarily in the books of Daniel and Ezra. The word consistently points not just to the general passage of time, but to specific, designated moments or periods, whether ordained by God, set by a king, or established by personal habit.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H2166 is used to mark distinct points in time. It can denote a specific historical moment, as when officials came to challenge the temple's reconstruction "At the same time" Ezra 5:3. It is also used for recurring, scheduled events, such as Daniel's practice of praying "three times a day" (Daniel 6:10, Daniel 6:13). In a prophetic context, it signifies a decisive, appointed moment in God's plan, such as when the " time came that the saints possessed the kingdom" Daniel 7:22 or when God prolonged the lives of the beasts "for a season and time" Daniel 7:12.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide a fuller understanding of how appointed times function in scripture:

  • H5732 ʻiddân (a set time; technically, a year; time): This word is often paired directly with zᵉmân. In Daniel 2:21, God is the one who "changeth the times (ʻiddân) and the seasons (zᵉmân)," suggesting a distinction between general periods and specific appointed occasions within them.
  • H8133 shᵉnâʼ ({to alter}; alter, change, (be) diverse): This verb is used to describe the action taken upon appointed times. God has the sovereign power to change them Daniel 2:21, while an arrogant ruler thinks he can change times and laws on his own authority Daniel 7:25.
  • H1882 dâth ({a royal edict or statute}; decree, law): This word for law is linked with zᵉmân as a pillar of divine order. An antagonistic power's ambition is revealed in his plan to "change times and laws" Daniel 7:25, showing that interfering with God's appointed times is equivalent to subverting His law.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2166 centers on the sovereignty of God over history and order.

  • Divine Sovereignty: The ability to "change the times and the seasons" is presented as a fundamental characteristic of God's power, demonstrating His control over the rise and fall of kings and the flow of history Daniel 2:21.
  • Ordered Worship: The word establishes a rhythm for personal faithfulness. Daniel's commitment to pray at set times Daniel 6:10 illustrates a life structured around regular, appointed moments of devotion to God, even in defiance of human decrees.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: zᵉmân is crucial for understanding eschatology. It marks the appointed time for judgment and for the saints to receive the kingdom Daniel 7:22, affirming that history is not random but moves toward a conclusion set by God.

Summary

In summary, H2166 is far more than a simple word for time. It signifies divinely appointed moments and seasons that structure history, prophecy, and personal devotion. Through its use in Daniel and Ezra, zᵉmân illustrates the conflict between divine authority over time and rebellious attempts to usurp it. The word underscores a worldview where every season and occasion is ultimately under the control of a sovereign 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 11 occurrences, inflected in 4 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.

  • זִמְנָ
  • זִמְנִין
  • זְמָן
  • זִמְנַיָּ

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.

H5732 עִדָּן (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to that of עֵד; a set time; technically, a year; time. H8133 שְׁנָא (Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁנָא; {to alter}; alter, change, (be) diverse. H1882 דָּת (Aramaic) corresponding to דָּת; {a royal edict or statute}; decree, law.

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

Appears in 11 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Daniel (10 verses); never once in the other 37.

1
Ezra
10
Daniel

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.