זְמַן
𐤆𐤌𐤍
zᵉman
H2164 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
A designated or appointed time, set moment, or period. In Biblical Aramaic usage, denotes a specifically scheduled point in time—especially in royal, administrative, or legal contexts; by extension, a deadline or interval designated for an event or action.
Semantic Range
appointed time, scheduled occasion, designated point in time, deadline, period prepared for an event
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root זמ"ן (z-m-n), which in both Hebrew and Aramaic means 'to arrange, to appoint, to set.' The Aramaic noun זְמַן is a direct nominal formation from this root, indicating 'setting of a time.' In Hebrew, this root does not produce the same noun in Biblical texts, but the verbal root occurs with similar sense.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical Aramaic (e.g., Daniel and Ezra), זְמַן refers to a specific point in time that has been appointed for a public or legal action, such as bringing officials before the king (see Daniel 3:7–8, 3:15). This usage aligns with the administrative language of the Persian period, reflecting procedural scheduling in the royal court. The term is functionally akin to Hebrew מוֹעֵד, though מוֹעֵד often expresses an appointed time for religious observance, while זְמַן has a more secular or official connotation. The Aramaic form is not attested in pre-exilic Hebrew but becomes prominent as an administrative loanword during the exilic and Persian periods. In later Jewish Aramaic, זְמַן also develops the broader sense of 'era' or 'opportunity.' Standard English translations often render it as 'time,' but this does not always convey the sense of formal appointment or scheduling in the original context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to זָמַן; to agree (on a time and place); prepare.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זמן (z-m-n) — to set, appoint, arrange, prepare
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2163 | זָמַן | those appointed |
| H2165 | זְמָן | in their appointed times |
| H2166 | זְמָן | and the appointed time |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2164-01 |
הִזְדְּמִנְתּוּן֙ | hizedeminetun | AVMp3mp |
you conspire | they appointed themselves | 1 |
H2164-02 |
הזמנתון | hzmntvn | AVhp2mp |
you have appointed | you have appointed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2164-02 |
Daniel 2:9 | הזמנתון | hzmntvn | AVhp2mp |
you have appointed | you have appointed |
H2164-01 |
Daniel 2:9 | הִזְדְּמִנְתּוּן֙ | hizedeminetun | AVMp3mp |
you conspire | they appointed themselves |