Word Study for H5732 (עִדָּן)

ʻiddân /id-dawn'/ Ask about this word

Root(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to that of עֵד

Meaninga set time; technically, a year

KJV usagetime.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻiddân — 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 ʻiddân, represented by H5732, refers to a set time or, technically, a year. It appears 13 times across 11 unique verses in the Bible. The term is used to denote specific, appointed periods rather than a general sense of time, often carrying significant prophetic or judicial weight.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical context, H5732 is primarily used in the book of Daniel to frame periods of divine action and human history. God is described as the one who "changeth the times" Daniel 2:21, establishing his sovereignty over world events. The word marks specific durations of judgment, such as the "seven times" appointed to pass over Nebuchadnezzar until he acknowledged God's rule (Daniel 4:16, 4:25, 4:32). It also functions as a unit in prophetic timelines, notably in the phrase "a time and times and the dividing of time," which delineates a period of tribulation Daniel 7:25. Elsewhere, it refers to a specific moment for action, such as when Nebuchadnezzar commands worship at a particular time (Daniel 3:5, 3:15).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the meaning and application of H5732:

H2166 zᵉmân (an appointed occasion): This word for season or time is often used in parallel with ʻiddân. For example, God "changeth the times H5732 and the seasons H2166" Daniel 2:21, and the lives of the beasts were prolonged for a season and a time Daniel 7:12.
H8133 shᵉnâʼ (to alter): This verb is frequently used to describe the action of changing an ʻiddân. God is the one who changeth the times Daniel 2:21, while an opposing figure will think to change times and laws Daniel 7:25.
H2499 chălaph (to pass on (of time)): This word describes the progression of an ʻiddân. It is used repeatedly in the account of Nebuchadnezzar, where it is decreed that "seven times H5732 shall pass over" him (Daniel 4:16, 4:23).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5732 is centered on God's sovereign control over history and prophecy.

Divine Sovereignty: The word underscores that God is the ultimate authority over history, who "changeth the times and the seasons" and removes and sets up kings according to His will Daniel 2:21.
Appointed Judgment: ʻiddân is used to measure out specific periods of divine judgment. The "seven times" that pass over Nebuchadnezzar serve as a defined duration for humbling a prideful king, demonstrating that God sets the limits on human rebellion (Daniel 4:25, 4:32).
Prophetic Measurement: The term is a key component in prophetic timelines. The expression "a time and times and the dividing of time" establishes a specific, measured period during which the saints of the Most High will endure hardship before God's ultimate kingdom is established Daniel 7:25.

Summary

In summary, H5732 ʻiddân is a crucial term for understanding divinely appointed periods in the book of Daniel. It moves beyond the general concept of time to signify specific durations, prophetic years, and decisive moments that are under God's absolute control. Whether measuring a king's judgment or a prophetic era, ʻiddân reveals that history unfolds according to a divine timetable.

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 13 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.

עִדָּנִין
עִדָּנָ
עִדָּן
עִדָּנַיָּ

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

11 verses, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.