(Aramaic) or כְּעֶת; (Aramaic), feminine of כְּעַן; thus (only in the formula 'and so forth'); at such a time.
Transliteration:kᵉʻeneth
Pronunciation:keh-eh'-neth
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth, `{{H3706}}`) is a feminine form derived from the Aramaic adverb כְּעַן (kᵉʻan, `{{H3705}}`), which signifies "now" or "at this time." While its root suggests a temporal reference, כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth) itself carries a more specific and idiomatic meaning. Its base definition indicates "thus" or "at such a time," but crucially notes its usage "only in the formula 'and so forth'." This highlights a highly specialized semantic range, primarily functioning as a phrase extender or an indicator of a delaying tactic, rather than a general temporal marker. It conveys the sense of prolonging a situation or speech, often with an underlying implication of evasion or prevarication.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth, `{{H3706}}`) appears only once in the biblical text, found in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. Its singular occurrence is in:
* **[[Daniel 2:8]]**: "The king answered and said, 'I know for certain that you are trying to buy time, because you see that the word has gone from me. If you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you will all have one decree. So you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time changes, and so forth.'"
In this pivotal passage, King Nebuchadnezzar confronts the Chaldean wise men, accusing them of attempting to deceive him. The phrase "and so forth" (כְּעֶנֶת) here is part of the king's accusation, implying that the Chaldeans are deliberately prolonging their inability to interpret the dream, hoping for circumstances to change or for a delay that might benefit them. It underscores the king's perception of their evasive maneuvers, highlighting their lack of immediate, truthful insight. The word functions as an adverbial phrase, emphasizing the duration and deceptive nature of their stalling tactics.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relative of כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth, `{{H3706}}`) is its masculine counterpart, כְּעַן (kᵉʻan, `{{H3705}}`), which broadly means "now" or "at this time." While כְּעַן (kᵉʻan) is a general temporal adverb, כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth) is a more specialized, idiomatic derivative.
Conceptually, כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth) relates to ideas of:
* **Procrastination or Delay**: As seen in [[Daniel 2:8]], the word signifies an attempt to buy time or prolong a situation.
* **Deception or Evasion**: The context implies that the delay is not innocent but part of a strategy to avoid revealing an unpleasant truth or an inability to perform a task.
* **Temporal Progression**: Despite its specific usage, it inherently carries a sense of time's passage and the hope that time will alter circumstances.
In a broader sense, it contrasts with words that denote immediacy or certainty in divine revelation, such as the Hebrew עַתָּה (ʻattah, `{{H6258}}`, "now") or כֵּן (ken, `{{H3651}}`, "thus, so"), which often mark the directness of God's communication or action.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth, `{{H3706}}`) is primarily derived from its unique context within [[Daniel 2]]. While the word itself does not carry intrinsic theological weight, its appearance highlights several crucial themes:
1. **Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Impotence**: The Chaldeans' attempt to "buy time" with "lying and corrupt words" (כְּעֶנֶת) underscores their utter inability to discern the king's dream and its interpretation. This stands in stark contrast to Daniel's divinely granted wisdom, which reveals God's exclusive power to disclose mysteries (cf. [[Daniel 2:27-28]]). The human attempt to delay and deceive is exposed as futile before God's sovereign plan.
2. **Truth and Revelation**: The king's frustration with the Chaldeans' stalling tactics emphasizes the value of truth and the urgency of revelation. The use of כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth) marks a moment where human artifice is contrasted with the impending, undeniable truth revealed by God through His prophet.
3. **The Nature of Wisdom**: Worldly wisdom, reliant on human cunning and delay, is shown to be bankrupt. True wisdom, as exemplified by Daniel, comes from God and is characterized by immediate, accurate revelation, not by the need to "buy time" or speak vaguely.
Thus, כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth), though a minor word, serves as a linguistic marker for the futility of human attempts to manipulate time and truth in the face of divine decree and revelation.
### Summary
The Aramaic word כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth, `{{H3706}}`) is a rare and highly specific term, appearing only once in the biblical text at [[Daniel 2:8]]. Derived from כְּעַן (kᵉʻan, `{{H3705}}`), it functions idiomatically to mean "thus" or "at such a time," particularly within the formula "and so forth," signifying a deliberate act of prolonging or delaying. In its sole occurrence, it describes King Nebuchadnezzar's accusation against the Chaldean wise men, who are attempting to "buy time" through evasive speech rather than providing a genuine interpretation of his dream. Theologically, כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth) underscores the contrast between the deceptive, delaying tactics of human wisdom and the immediate, sovereign revelation of God's truth, highlighting the ultimate impotence of human artifice before divine power.
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