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בִּינָה

𐤁𐤉𐤍𐤄

bîynâh

H999 noun

SILEX Entry

Root בין to discern, to perceive, to understand, to distinguish

Definition

Understanding, insight, discernment—the capacity to comprehend, perceive distinctions, and grasp meaning in a given context. The term refers to both intellectual understanding and perceptive wisdom, ranging from basic skillfulness to deep, analytical comprehension, including the ability to distinguish between things, deduce implications, and apply knowledge prudently.

Semantic Range

understanding, discernment, insight, perception, intellectual skill, analytical thinking, capacity for differentiation

Root / Etymology

From the root בִּין (byn), meaning 'to discern, perceive, understand.' The Aramaic form בִּינָה (bîynâh) corresponds directly to the Hebrew בִּינָה, both deriving from the root that conveys the action of distinguishing or making separations in thought. The noun refers to the resultant quality or capacity of one who engages in discerning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Aramaic, בִּינָה is rare and typically occurs in official or courtly contexts, such as in the Aramaic sections of Daniel and Ezra. Its usage parallels the Hebrew בִּינָה, but appears more narrowly as the ability to interpret visions, miracles, or legal matters. The term differs subtly from חָכְמָה (chokhmah, 'wisdom'), which encompasses broader wisdom or technical skill, and from דַּעַת (daʻat, 'knowledge'), which implies possession of factual information or awareness. בִּינָה emphasizes interpretive and analytical capacity—a faculty valued in scribal, administrative, and royal circles. In translation, 'understanding' generally conveys its meaning, but English may not always capture its nuance of sharp discernment or the practical application of insight called for in ancient Aramaic administrative or religious texts. During the Persian period and in Second Temple literature, the term can also carry the sense of insight necessary for governance or prophetic interpretation. Later religious tradition sometimes associates בִּינָה with particular faculties of interpretive or contemplative intelligence, but such associations are post-biblical.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to בִּינָה; {understanding}; knowledge.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בין (b-y-n) — to discern, to distinguish, to understand

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1143 בֵּנַיִם the between-two space
H2985 יָבִין like Yavin
H8394 תָּבוּן in discernment
H946 בּוּנָה and Bunah
H995 בִּין I discern

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H999-01 בִינָֽה vinah ANcfsa understanding discernment 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H999-01 Daniel 2:21 בִינָֽה vinah ANcfsa understanding discernment
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