בֵּין (ben)
ben
between
A:PrepQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:Prep
Word Overview
The word bēn is an Aramaic preposition meaning "between." It appears in only two verses, both located in the book of Daniel, where it functions as a grammatical marker to establish spatial or relational separation. This form is the direct Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew ben (H0996), reflecting the linguistic shift that occurs when biblical texts transition from Hebrew to Aramaic sections.
Its usage is straightforward and functional, serving to delineate boundaries or indicate position relative to two other entities. In Daniel, it helps clarify the physical or conceptual space separating subjects, such as people, objects, or geographical points. The term does not carry complex theological nuance in these instances; rather, it provides precise locational context for the narrative events described.
Recognizing this Aramaic variant highlights the bilingual nature of Daniel’s court narratives. While the Hebrew Bible predominantly uses ben, the presence of bēn underscores the historical setting where Aramaic served as the lingua franca of international diplomacy and administration. This single lexical distinction connects the text to its broader ancient Near Eastern context without altering its core meaning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ben simply means "between." In the book of Daniel, this Aramaic term marks physical space or separation. It helps readers visualise where things are located relative to one another. This clarity supports the narrative's vivid imagery without adding hidden spiritual codes.
For your faith, this precision reminds us that God’s word is clear and grounded in reality. The visions in Daniel use concrete details to describe future events. We can trust that Scripture communicates truth plainly, allowing us to focus on its message rather than decoding obscure symbols.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- between/ them1×
- between1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בֵּֽינֵי/הֵ֔ן1×
- בֵּ֣ין1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 7:5
“Behold, there was another animal, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said this to it: ‘Arise! Devour much flesh!’
This verse uses the word to specify the exact location of the ribs inside the bear's mouth, grounding the vision in physical reality.
-
Daniel 7:8
“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots; and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking arrogantly.
Here it describes the horn's position among other horns, clarifying the sequence and hierarchy of the symbolic figures.