### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb מְנָא (mᵉnâʼ), Strong's `{{H4483}}`, is a significant term whose core meaning revolves around the act of "counting" or "numbering." It is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew verb מָנָה (mânâ), `{{H4487}}`, and shares much of its semantic breadth. Beyond simple enumeration, mᵉnâʼ extends to encompass the concepts of "appointing," "ordaining," and "setting." This implies a deliberate act of designation, allocation, or establishment, often with a sense of formal decree or divine assignment. The underlying idea is one of precise measurement, assessment, or designation, leading to an ordered outcome.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of מְנָא (mᵉnâʼ) are concentrated in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Daniel and Ezra. Its usage in these contexts provides profound insights into its meaning:
* **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**: The most iconic use is in the enigmatic inscription "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Uparsin" in [[Daniel 5:25-28]]. Here, מְנֵא (mene) is repeated, signifying "numbered." As interpreted by Daniel, "God has numbered your kingdom and finished it" (מְנָה אֱלָהָא מַלְכוּתָךְ וְשַׁלְמָהּ). This is not a mere census but a divine assessment and decree of termination. The numbering implies a full accounting of Belshazzar's reign, leading to its divinely ordained end. It underscores God's ultimate sovereignty over nations and His meticulous knowledge of their appointed times.
* **Royal/Divine Appointment**: In [[Daniel 2:24]], Daniel approaches Arioch, "whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon." Here, mᵉnâʼ denotes the act of designating someone for a specific, authoritative task. Similarly, in [[Ezra 7:25]], King Artaxerxes instructs Ezra: "And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people." This usage highlights the establishment of order and authority through the formal designation of individuals to positions of power and responsibility.
* **Establishment of Order**: Whether by divine decree or human authority, the act of "counting" or "appointing" through mᵉnâʼ often leads to the establishment or re-establishment of order, even if that order involves the end of a previous regime (as in Daniel 5).
### Related Words & Concepts
The Aramaic מְנָא (mᵉnâʼ) is intrinsically linked to its Hebrew counterpart מָנָה (mânâ), `{{H4487}}`. Both share the core semantic range of counting, numbering, assigning, and appointing. This connection illuminates the stability of the concept across related Semitic languages.
Concepts closely associated with mᵉnâʼ include:
* **Divine Knowledge and Omniscience**: The act of numbering implies comprehensive knowledge. God's numbering of a kingdom's days ([[Daniel 5:26]]) speaks to His infinite awareness and understanding of all things.
* **Sovereignty and Predestination**: When God "numbers" a kingdom, it speaks to His ultimate control over history and the destinies of nations and individuals. There is a divinely appointed time and measure for all things.
* **Accountability and Judgment**: The "Mene, Mene" inscription is a profound declaration of divine judgment. The numbering is not merely an inventory but an assessment of moral and spiritual standing, leading to a verdict and consequence. It underscores the principle that all, especially those in power, are accountable to God.
* **Authority and Governance**: The use of mᵉnâʼ for appointing officials ([[Ezra 7:25]]) connects to themes of legitimate authority, the establishment of justice, and the ordering of society, often under divine sanction.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מְנָא (mᵉnâʼ) is particularly potent in the book of Daniel, where it functions as a linchpin for understanding God's relationship with human kingdoms.
* **God's Absolute Sovereignty Over History**: The most profound theological implication of mᵉnâʼ is its declaration of God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of nations. The divine "numbering" of Belshazzar's kingdom in [[Daniel 5:26]] is a stark reminder that no earthly power, however mighty, operates outside the parameters of God's sovereign will and appointed time. Kingdoms are not ended by chance or mere human conquest, but by divine decree.
* **Divine Judgment and Moral Accountability**: The "Mene" inscription reveals God as the righteous Judge who meticulously assesses the actions and character of rulers and nations. The counting is not just quantitative but qualitative; it's a moral audit. When a kingdom is "numbered and finished," it signifies that its time has run out due to its unrighteousness and failure to honor God. This underscores the biblical principle that nations are held accountable by God for their moral conduct.
* **God as the Ordainer of Order**: Beyond judgment, mᵉnâʼ also highlights God's role in establishing order and authority. In [[Ezra 7:25]], the king's instruction to "appoint" judges and magistrates is given "according to the wisdom of your God." This suggests that even human appointments, when aligned with divine wisdom, contribute to the establishment of justice and order, reflecting God's own character as a God of order.
* **The Transience of Earthly Power**: The swift and decisive end of Belshazzar's kingdom, immediately after the divine numbering, serves as a powerful theological lesson on the ephemeral nature of human power and glory. It contrasts the fleeting reigns of kings with the eternal, unchangeable sovereignty of God.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb מְנָא (mᵉnâʼ), Strong's `{{H4483}}`, fundamentally means "to count" or "to number," extending to "appoint," "ordain," and "set." As the Aramaic counterpart to the Hebrew מָנָה `{{H4487}}`, its primary biblical occurrences are in Daniel and Ezra. Most famously, in [[Daniel 5:25-28]], mᵉnâʼ signifies a divine numbering that leads to the termination of a kingdom due to its moral failings, dramatically illustrating God's absolute sovereignty, omniscience, and the certainty of divine judgment. Other uses, such as in [[Ezra 7:25]], demonstrate its application to the authoritative appointment of officials, underscoring God's role in establishing order and justice. Theologically, mᵉnâʼ powerfully conveys that all human endeavors and powers are precisely measured, known, and ultimately subject to the sovereign decree of the Most High God, who holds all nations accountable.
TRV