(Aramaic) irregular plural feminine of אֱנָשׁ; {a man}; women.
Transliteration:nâshîyn
Pronunciation:naw-sheen'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word `{{H5389}}` (נָשִׁין, nâshîyn) serves as the irregular feminine plural of `{{H606}}` (אֱנָשׁ, 'enash), which fundamentally means "man" or "humanity." Despite its masculine singular root, `{{H5389}}` specifically denotes "women." This linguistic characteristic highlights a unique grammatical feature within biblical Aramaic, where the plural form diverges significantly from the singular root's gender and often refers to adult females collectively. Its semantic range is therefore quite narrow, focused exclusively on the female gender in a plural sense.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic term, `{{H5389}}` is found exclusively in the Aramaic sections of the Old Testament (primarily Ezra and Daniel). While the lemma נָשִׁין itself does not appear frequently in its absolute, uninflected form, the grammatical structure it describes is evident. The most prominent manifestation of this irregular feminine plural is found in [[Daniel 6:24]] (Aramaic [[Daniel 6:25]]), where the word נְשֵׁיהֹ֑ון (nᵉshêhôn) appears, meaning "their wives."
In [[Daniel 6:24]], the context is the severe judgment enacted by King Darius against those who maliciously accused Daniel. The passage states: "And the king commanded, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces." Here, the inclusion of "wives" (and children) alongside the accusers underscores the collective nature of ancient Near Eastern justice and the devastating consequences of opposing royal (and by extension, divine) decrees. The word, though inflected, clearly functions as the feminine plural of `{{H606}}`, referring to the adult female members of the households. This occurrence, though singular in its direct manifestation of the form `{{H5389}}`, powerfully illustrates the word's meaning and its implication within a narrative of divine vindication and human judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is `{{H606}}` (אֱנָשׁ, 'enash), the masculine singular noun from which `{{H5389}}` (נָשִׁין) is irregularly derived. This relationship highlights the linguistic complexity of Aramaic morphology. In terms of conceptual parallels, `{{H5389}}` aligns with the Hebrew term for "women," `{{H439}}` (נָשִׁים, nashim), which is the plural of `{{H802}}` (אִשָּׁה, 'ishshah, "woman" or "wife"). Both `{{H5389}}` and `{{H439}}` refer to adult females in the plural, though they belong to different linguistic branches (Aramaic vs. Hebrew). The concept of "family" and "household" is also related, especially as seen in [[Daniel 6:24]], where "wives" are part of a larger unit facing judgment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5389}}` itself is primarily tied to the context in which its form appears. While the word does not carry inherent theological weight beyond its denotation of "women," its use in [[Daniel 6:24]] provides a stark illustration of collective responsibility and judgment in the ancient world. The inclusion of "wives" (and children) in the punishment of the accusers reflects a societal understanding where the fate of individuals was often intertwined with that of their families. From a theological perspective, this passage, facilitated by the use of `{{H5389}}`'s form, underscores the severity of God's justice and the comprehensive nature of consequences for those who oppose His purposes or harm His servants. It serves as a reminder of the far-reaching implications of sin and rebellion, extending beyond the immediate perpetrator to their entire household, a common theme in biblical narratives of judgment.
### Summary
`{{H5389}}` (נָשִׁין, nâshîyn) is an Aramaic word denoting "women," functioning as an irregular feminine plural of `{{H606}}` ('enash, "man" or "humanity"). Though rare in its uninflected form, its grammatical structure is vividly present in [[Daniel 6:24]] as "their wives" (נְשֵׁיהֹ֑ון). This occurrence underscores the harsh, collective justice prevalent in the ancient Near East, where the consequences of actions could extend to an entire household. While primarily a linguistic descriptor, `{{H5389}}` in its contextual manifestation highlights the vulnerability and shared fate of families within narratives of divine and human judgment.
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