סְגַן
𐤎𐤂𐤍
çᵉgan
H5460 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An official or high-ranking administrator, typically serving as a deputy, subordinate governor, or prefect within a provincial or imperial governmental structure. The term denotes an individual entrusted with significant authority, often accountable for administering a region, district, or specific domain of oversight under the authority of a superior ruler or magistrate. In various biblical contexts, it refers to an official in the civil or military administration, especially under foreign imperial rule (e.g., Babylonian or Persian).
Semantic Range
deputy, prefect, subordinate governor, chief assistant in administration, second-in-command, high official
Root / Etymology
From the root סגן, which is of uncertain origin but widely attested in Aramaic administrative terminology from the imperial period. In etymology, the root does not appear in earlier Hebrew usage, and its presence in the Tanakh is limited to Aramaic portions; it likely entered the lexicon via contact with imperial administration.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term סְגַן appears exclusively in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably in Daniel and Ezra), reflecting administrative titles current in the Neo-Babylonian and Persian empires. It commonly occurs in enumerations of high officials and is typically paired with terms for satraps and other governors. The role of the סְגַן seems to be that of a vizier, chief deputy, or second-in-command in provincial government. Its meaning and use should be distinguished from native Israelite or Judahite administrative terms, such as שַׂר (sar, 'chief, prince, official'), as סְגַן specifically reflects foreign bureaucratic structures. English translations varying render the term as 'prefect,' 'deputy,' or 'governor,' but none fully capture its precise imperial administrative connotations. Later translation traditions sometimes used the term for Jewish or Judean officials, but in the biblical context, its meaning is tied to foreign political structures.
Translation Consistency
“Deputy” is the most natural, concise English term that captures the typical sense of סְגַן — a subordinate high official or second-in-command (deputy/prefect/subordinate governor) used in provincial or imperial administration. It is more specific than the generic “official” and more familiar than “prefect,” so it best fits the common biblical contexts and will yield natural translations when inflected.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to סָגָן; {a prefect of aprovince}; governor.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
סגן (çᵉgan) — to be second, to act as deputy, to assist
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5460-01 |
סִגְנַיָּ֣/א | sigenaya | ANcmpd/Td |
the prefects | the deputy-governors | the deputy-governors | 4 |
H5460-02 |
סִגְנִ֔ין | sigenin | ANcmpa |
of the governors | deputy-governors | of the governors | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5460-02 |
Daniel 2:48 | סִגְנִ֔ין | sigenin | ANcmpa |
of the governors | deputy-governors | of the governors |
H5460-01 |
Daniel 3:2 | סִגְנַיָּ֣/א | sigenaya | ANcmpd/Td |
the prefects | the deputy-governors | the deputy-governors |
H5460-01 |
Daniel 3:3 | סִגְנַיָּ֣/א | sigenaya | ANcmpd/Td |
prefects | the deputy-governors | the deputy-governors |
H5460-01 |
Daniel 3:27 | סִגְנַיָּ֣/א | sigenaya | ANcmpd/Td |
the prefects | the deputy-governors | the deputy-governors |
H5460-01 |
Daniel 6:8 | סִגְנַיָּ֤/א | sigenaya | ANcmpd/Td |
governors | the deputy-governors | the deputy-governors |