English · KJV
H2163

זָמַן

zâman /zaw-man'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto fix (a time)
KJV usageappoint.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of zâman — 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 Hebrew word zâman, represented by H2163, is a primitive root meaning to fix (a time) or appoint. It appears only 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, indicating its specific and focused usage for designating scheduled events.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H2163 is consistently used to establish specific, scheduled occasions for carrying out important community and religious duties. In the book of Ezra, it sets the appointed times for dealing with the sin of taking strange H5237 wives H802 in order to turn H7725 away the fierce H2740 wrath H639 of God H430 Ezra 10:14. In Nehemiah, the term designates the times appointed for bringing the wood H6086 offering H7133 to the house H1004 of God H430 Nehemiah 10:34 and for providing the firstfruits H1061 Nehemiah 13:31, highlighting its role in organizing sacred observances.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context of divinely scheduled activities:

  • H6256 ʻêth (time): This word for "time" or "season" is paired with zâman in every instance, forming the phrase "appointed H2163 times H6256" (Ezra 10:14, Nehemiah 10:34, Nehemiah 13:31).
  • H7133 qorbân (offering): This refers to something brought near the altar. The "appointed times" in Nehemiah were set specifically for the wood offering to be brought into the house of God Nehemiah 10:34.
  • H1061 bikkûwr (firstfruits): These are the first-fruits of the crop. Nehemiah established appointed times for bringing not only the wood offering but also for the firstfruits Nehemiah 13:31.
  • H8269 sar (ruler): The rulers of the congregation were to stand at the appointed times to oversee the judicial process of turning from sin Ezra 10:14.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2163 is tied to the restoration of Israel after the exile.

  • Covenantal Order: The use of zâman reflects a deliberate effort to re-establish order and faithfulness to God's law. The scheduling of offerings "year H8141 by year H8141" Nehemiah 10:34 was part of restoring the rhythm of worship.
  • Corporate Repentance: The "appointed times" in Ezra were a structured mechanism for the entire community to collectively address sin and restore its relationship with God, showing that repentance was a communal and organized act Ezra 10:14.
  • Divine Providence in Time: By fixing times for sacred duties like the wood offering and firstfruits, the community acknowledged God's sovereignty over their time and resources, dedicating specific moments to His service and remembrance Nehemiah 13:31.

Summary

In summary, H2163 is a specific term that, while rare, carries significant meaning in the context of Israel's restoration. It moves beyond a general sense of time to signify a fixed, appointed moment for a crucial action. Its use in Ezra and Nehemiah shows how the practical act of scheduling was employed to implement spiritual renewal, organize corporate worship, and fulfill covenantal obligations in a deliberate and orderly fashion.

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 verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

  • מְזֻמָּנִים
  • מְזֻמָּנוֹת

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.

H5237 נׇכְרִי from נֶכֶר (second form); strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, differen H802 אִשָּׁה feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess H7725 שׁוּב a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily H2740 חָרוֹן or (shortened) חָרֹן; from חָרָה; a burning of anger; sore displeasure, fierce(-ness), fury, (fierce) wrath(-ful). H639 אַף from אָנַף; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in H430 אֱלֹהִים plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article)

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 3 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Nehemiah (2 verses); never once in the other 37.

1
Ezra
2
Nehemiah

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.