אֱדַ֫יִן (e.da.yin)
e.da.yin
then
A:ConjQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 36 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:Conj
Word Overview
The word edayin is an Aramaic adverb meaning "then" or "afterwards." It appears frequently in the books of Daniel and Ezra, reflecting the fact that these sections of Scripture were originally written in Aramaic rather than Hebrew. In these contexts, it serves as a straightforward marker of time, indicating what happens next in a sequence of events.
Its usage is closely related to the Hebrew word az, which carries a similar meaning. While az is common throughout the Old Testament, edayin is restricted to the Aramaic portions. For example, in Daniel 2, it connects Nebuchadnezzar’s dream with its interpretation, moving the narrative forward from the king’s request to the revelation of the vision’s meaning.
Translators typically render edayin simply as "then," which captures its function as a temporal connector. It does not carry heavy theological weight on its own but helps structure the historical and prophetic narratives in these books. Its presence reminds readers that the biblical text preserves the original languages of its various sections, offering a glimpse into the linguistic diversity of ancient Israel’s history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word edayin is a simple Aramaic adverb meaning "then" or "afterwards." It appears primarily in the books of Ezra and Daniel, where it acts as a quiet marker of time. Rather than carrying heavy theological weight on its own, this word helps structure the historical narrative, showing readers exactly what happens next in the sequence of events.
When you read these passages, edayin reminds us that God works within real history. In Daniel 2, for example, it connects Nebuchadnezzar’s dream with its interpretation, moving the story from confusion to revelation. This linguistic detail shows that Scripture preserves the original languages of its sections, offering a glimpse into the diverse cultural context of ancient Israel.
For your faith, this word offers comfort in the rhythm of God’s timing. It assures us that every "then" in the biblical story is part of a coherent plan. Whether in the rebuilding of Jerusalem or the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, these temporal markers guide us through uncertainty toward God’s faithful conclusion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 36 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <in>/ then21×
- then18×
- and/ then1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בֵּ/אדַ֣יִן4×
- בֵּ/אדַ֙יִן֙4×
- אֱדַ֙יִן֙4×
- אֱדַ֗יִן4×
- בֵּ/אדַ֜יִן3×
- בֵּ/אדַ֗יִן3×
- בֵּ/אדַ֡יִן2×
- אֱדַ֥יִן2×
- אֱדַ֤יִן2×
- אֱ֠דַיִן2×
- וֶ/אֱדַ֛יִן1×
- בֵּ֠/אדַיִן1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:19
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
This occurrence marks the pivotal moment when the secret is revealed to Daniel in a vision, shifting the narrative from anxiety to divine clarity.
-
Ezra 4:24
Then work stopped on God’s house which is at Jerusalem. It stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Here the word signals a pause in history, indicating that work on God’s house stopped until the reign of Darius, highlighting God's sovereign timing over human efforts.
-
Daniel 3:26
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the middle of the fire.
It introduces the miraculous deliverance of the three men from the fiery furnace, serving as the turning point where Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the power of their God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew/Aramaic word edayin mean?
Why is edayin found in some parts of the Old Testament but not others?
How is edayin different from the Hebrew word az?
Every Occurrence (36 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 10 verses
Then Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the…
Ezra 4:23Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they…
Ezra 4:24Then work stopped on God’s house which is at Jerusalem. It stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of…
Ezra 5:2Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at…
Ezra 5:4They also asked for the names of the men who were making this building.
Ezra 5:5But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them cease until the matter should come to…
Ezra 5:9Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”
Ezra 5:16Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of God’s house which is in Jerusalem. Since that time even…
Ezra 6:1Then Darius the king made a decree, and the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon, was…
Ezra 6:13Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions did accordingly with all diligence,…