Aramaic word · H5732

עִדָּן

'idan

time

A span or period of time; a definite duration; also a "time" as a unit of reckoning (possibly a year). In the plural, "times, periods."

A Biblical Aramaic word, from the parts of the Old Testament written in Aramaic. Why Aramaic?

Appears 13 times in 11 verses of the Aramaic of the Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) time

1a) time (of duration)

1b) year

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Daniel 2:21

Range of meaning

A span or period of time; a definite duration; also a "time" as a unit of reckoning (possibly a year). In the plural, "times, periods."

Against the English

English "times" is accurate but vague. Modern readers may hear "the times we live in" in the sense of moods or culture. The Aramaic word is more concrete: measured periods with a beginning and an end.

Used elsewhere in the period

Many lexicons (e.g. HALOT) connect it with Akkadian adannu, "fixed time, appointed date," a word at home in Babylonian administration and omen literature. Within Daniel: 2:8, 2:9 ("until the time changes"), 3:5, 3:15, 4:16, 23, 25, 32 ("seven times"), 7:12, 7:25 ("a time, times and half a time").

From the study of Daniel 4:25

Range of meaning

A general Aramaic word for "time, period, appointed season". In Daniel it can mean "the time" at which something happens (2:8–9, 3:5, 3:15: "at the time you hear the horn"), "times and seasons" in God's control (2:21, "he changes times and seasons"), and a measured period inside a prophecy (7:25, "a time, times, and half a time"). The word itself never states a length.

Against the English

KJV, BSB, WEB and YLT have "seven times", which today can sound like "seven occasions". ESV and NASB have "seven periods of time", which is clearer and still leaves the length open. The Old Greek and Josephus give "seven years", which reads the word as years.

How it drifted

"Times" in older English could mean "periods" (as in "the times of the Gentiles"). Now its usual sense is a count of occurrences ("I did it seven times"). That makes the phrase sound more mysterious than the Aramaic is.

Used elsewhere in the period

Biblical Aramaic: Dan 2:8, 2:9, 2:21, 3:5, 3:15, 4:16, 4:23, 4:25, 4:32, 7:12, 7:25. The Old Greek of Daniel 4 has hepta etē, "seven years". Josephus (Antiquities 10.216–217) says the king lived in the wilderness for seven years. The Qumran Prayer of Nabonidus (4Q242), a related story, has a king struck down "for seven years". Later Aramaic also uses ʿiddān for "year".

From the study of Daniel 4:32

Range of meaning

'Time, a set period, appointed season.' It can mean a moment ('at the time when,' 3:5, 3:15), a span of time (2:8, 'you are trying to gain time'), or, in the plural, units of time measured out (4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25 'a time, times and half a time'). It is probably linked to Akkadian adannu, 'set time, deadline.'

Against the English

KJV/WEB/BSB 'seven times'; several modern versions 'seven periods of time.' In current English 'seven times' first suggests 'on seven occasions' or 'sevenfold,' neither of which the Aramaic means.

How it drifted

English 'time' in the countable sense of 'a period' (as in 'a time, times') has faded. Today 'times' mostly means 'occasions' or 'multiplied by.'

Used elsewhere in the period

Daniel 2:8, 9, 21 (God 'changes times and seasons'), 3:5, 3:15, 4:16, 23, 25, 32, 7:12, 7:25. Common in Imperial Aramaic papyri for 'time, occasion.' The Old Greek translation of Daniel 4 reads 'seven years.' Josephus (Antiquities 10.216–217) also says seven years. The Qumran Prayer of Nabonidus (4Q242) has a Babylonian king afflicted for 'seven years.'

Where it appears

Daniel · 13

  1. Daniel 2:8 עִדָּנָ֖א <the> time

    The king replied, “I know for sure that you are stalling for time because you see that my word is final.

  2. Daniel 2:9 עִדָּנָ֖א time the

    If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one decree for you. You have conspired to speak before me false and fraudulent words, hoping the situation will change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I will know that you can give me its interpretation.”

  3. Daniel 2:21 עִדָּנַיָּא֙ times the

    He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

    Here: "The times": spans or periods of time, measured durations. Daniel uses the same word for the "seven times" of Nebuchadnezzar's madness (4:16) and the "time, times and half a time" of persecution (7:25).

  4. Daniel 3:5 בְּעִדָּנָ֡א at time the

    As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

  5. Daniel 3:15 בְעִדָּנָ֡א at time the

    Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, very good. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”

    Here: 'At the time': the exact point when the music sounds. Elsewhere in Daniel the same word can mean a set period ('seven times', 4:16).

  6. Daniel 4:16 עִדָּנִ֖ין times

    Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let him be given the mind of a beast till seven times pass him by.

    Here: 'Times', meaning set periods of time. The word itself does not say how long each one is. Most ancient and modern readers take each 'time' as a year.

  7. Daniel 4:23 עִדָּנִ֖ין times

    And you, O king, saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying: ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and graze with the beasts of the field till seven times pass him by.’

    Here: 'Times' in the sense of set periods. Most ancient and modern readers take them as years. The word itself does not name a length.

  8. Daniel 4:25 עִדָּנִ֖ין times

    You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.

    Here: "Periods of time". The word does not say how long each one is. Many ancient readers took it to mean years (see textual notes).

  9. Daniel 4:32 עִדָּנִ֖ין times

    You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”

    Here: 'Periods of time.' The word names a set span. It does not mean 'occasions.' Most readers, ancient and modern, take the span as a year, but the text does not say so.

  10. Daniel 7:12 וְעִדָּֽן׃ and a time

    As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but they were granted an extension of life for a season and a time.

  11. Daniel 7:25 עִדָּ֥ן וְעִדָּנִ֖ין עִדָּֽן׃ a time, and times

    He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.

    Here: "A time". The word means a span of time. In Daniel 4 the "seven times" of Nebuchadnezzar are usually understood as seven years.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.