בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin)
ba.yin
between
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 203 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word beyn functions as a preposition meaning "between" or "among," describing the space, interval, or distinction separating two entities. It appears over 200 times in the Old Testament, frequently marking physical locations such as the space between trees or rivers, but also abstract relationships like the distance between people or groups.
A distinctive feature of beyn is its use in paired constructions to emphasize separation or choice. For instance, Genesis 1:4 uses it to describe God separating light from darkness, while Judges 5:27 depicts a physical interval between two armies. It can also serve as a conjunction meaning "either...or," highlighting a decision point, as seen when Leviticus 27:12 discusses distinguishing between clean and unclean animals.
Its root relates to the concept of discernment or understanding, suggesting that being "between" things requires perception. This linguistic link implies that recognizing boundaries is an act of mental clarity. The word grounds theological concepts of separation in tangible spatial reality, showing how physical distance often mirrors relational or moral distinction in biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word beyn describes the space that separates two things. In Genesis, God uses this separation to bring order, placing light apart from darkness and waters above from waters below. This act of dividing is not just physical; it creates a clear distinction where life can flourish. When we see boundaries in Scripture, they often point to safety and clarity rather than restriction.
In our daily lives, we also navigate spaces between people. The story of Abram and Lot shows how honest communication helps maintain peace when tensions rise. God’s covenant with Noah establishes a promise that holds across generations, reminding us that divine faithfulness bridges the gap between heaven and earth. Recognizing these boundaries helps us understand our place in God's design.
This word invites us to see distinction as a gift. Whether it is the line between clean and unclean or the space between friends, beyn highlights the importance of discernment. We are called to respect the boundaries God sets while trusting in His promises that connect us to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 203 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- between130×
- and/ between104×
- and/ between/ you25×
- between/ me22×
- between/ us10×
- from/ between9×
- between/ you6×
- [was] between5×
- [was] between/ them4×
- between/ them3×
- between/ himself3×
- [is] between3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בֵּ֥ין55×
- וּ/בֵ֥ין38×
- וּ/בֵ֣ין32×
- בֵּ֣ין28×
- וּ/בֵ֖ין15×
- בֵּין\־14×
- בֵּ֚ין14×
- בֵּֽין\־12×
- בֵּינִ֥/י8×
- בֵּ֤ין8×
- בֵּינִ֣/י7×
- בֵּ֧ין5×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 1:4
God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness.
This verse establishes the primary theological use of the word, showing God creating order by separating light from darkness.
-
Genesis 9:13
I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.
Here the term defines the specific relational space where God’s covenant promise is anchored as a sign for humanity.
-
Genesis 13:8
Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives.
Abram uses this concept to propose a peaceful resolution, emphasizing that their kinship should prevent conflict between them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word beyn mean?
How is beyn used in the creation story?
Does this word appear in covenant contexts?
Every Occurrence (203 verses across 30 books)
Genesis 36 verses
God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:6God said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”
Genesis 1:7God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse;…
Genesis 1:14God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to…
Genesis 1:18and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good.
Genesis 3:15I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head,…
Genesis 9:12God said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with…
Genesis 9:13I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.
Genesis 9:15I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no…
Genesis 9:16The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every…
Genesis 9:17God said to Noah, “This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is on the…
Genesis 10:12and Resen between Nineveh and the great city Calah.
Genesis 13:3He went on his journeys from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between…
Genesis 13:7There was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the…
Genesis 13:8Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for…
Genesis 15:17It came to pass that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace and a flaming torch passed…
Genesis 16:5Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had…
Genesis 16:14Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
Genesis 17:2I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”
Genesis 17:7I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an…
Genesis 17:10This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you. Every male among you shall…
Genesis 17:11You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you.
Genesis 20:1Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived as a foreigner in…
Genesis 23:15“My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore bury…
Genesis 26:28They said, “We saw plainly that Yahweh was with you. We said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, even between us and…
Genesis 30:36He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
Genesis 31:37Now that you have felt around in all my stuff, what have you found of all your household stuff? Set it here before my…
Genesis 31:44Now come, let’s make a covenant, you and I. Let it be for a witness between me and you.”
Genesis 31:48Laban said, “This heap is witness between me and you today.” Therefore it was named Galeed
Genesis 31:49and Mizpah, for he said, “Yahweh watch between me and you, when we are absent one from another.
Genesis 31:50If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, no man is with us; behold, God is…
Genesis 31:51Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap, and see the pillar, which I have set between me and you.
Genesis 31:53The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” Then Jacob swore by the fear of…
Genesis 42:23They didn’t know that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.
Genesis 49:10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs.…
Genesis 49:14“Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the saddlebags.