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אֱדַיִן

𐤀𐤃𐤉𐤍

ʼĕdayin

H116 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain to mark temporal transition, to indicate sequence, to connect narrative events

Definition

A temporal adverb marking a point in time, primarily meaning 'then' in narrative sequence; signals subsequent action or a temporal shift, often used to introduce the next step in a narrative or argument. In some contexts, can carry the sense of 'at that (very) moment', 'thereupon', or 'so'.

Semantic Range

then, at that time, thereafter, thereupon, so (as a sequencer), now (in the context of narrative progression)

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. אֱדַיִן is the Aramaic counterpart of the Hebrew temporal adverb אָז ('then'), but its precise etymological origin is unclear. It is not transparently connected to a Hebrew root, and traditional lexicography regards it as a unique Aramaic adverb.

Historical & Contextual Notes

This word is found exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, such as Daniel and Ezra, and does not appear in Hebrew narrative. אֱדַיִן is a standard narrative connector in Aramaic, used similarly to the Hebrew אָז, but is generally more frequent and stylistically prominent in Aramaic prose. It plays a significant role in structuring the flow of narrative and argumentation, marking key transitions. English translations typically render it as 'then', but in some instances 'thereupon' or 'at that time' may better capture its immediate or emphatic connotation. The term does not carry later or theological implications, nor does it denote a specific calendar or ritual time, but rather points generically to temporal succession. In later Aramaic, including post-biblical sources, the word retains this core temporal function.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation; then (of time); now, that time, then.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

אז (counterpart); uncertain (ʾ-z (cf.); uncertain) — temporal transition, sequence marking, narrative progression

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H116-01 בֵּ/אדַ֣יִן bedayin AR/D Then then 29
H116-02 אֱדַ֣יִן edayin AD Then then 27
H116-03 וֶ/אֱדַ֛יִן veedayin AC/D and then and then 1

Occurrences in Scripture

57 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H116-01 Daniel 2:14 בֵּ/אדַ֣יִן bedayin AR/D Then then
H116-02 Daniel 2:15 אֱדַ֣יִן edayin AD then then
H116-02 Daniel 2:17 אֱדַ֥יִן edayin AD Then then
H116-02 Daniel 2:19 אֱדַ֗יִן edayin AD Then then
H116-02 Daniel 2:19 אֱדַ֨יִן֙ edayin-2 AD Then then
H116-02 Daniel 2:25 אֱדַ֤יִן edayin AD Then then
H116-01 Daniel 2:35 בֵּ/אדַ֣יִן bedayin AR/D then then
H116-01 Daniel 2:46 בֵּ֠/אדַיִן bedayin AR/D Then then
H116-02 Daniel 2:48 אֱדַ֨יִן edayin AD Then then
H116-01 Daniel 3:3 בֵּ/אדַ֡יִן bedayin AR/D then then
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