דִּין (din)
din
to judge
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb din, found in Brown-Driver-Briggs as a Qal form meaning "to judge," appears only once in the Hebrew Bible at Ezra 7:25. In this specific context, it describes the authority granted to Ezra to administer justice and legal decisions among the people. The term carries the straightforward sense of rendering a verdict or settling disputes according to established law.
Its rarity in Scripture makes its single occurrence significant rather than illustrative of a broad semantic range. Translators typically render this instance as "judge" or "adjudicate," reflecting the formal, judicial nature of the task assigned to Ezra by the Persian king. The word points directly to the act of legal discernment without the broader connotations of divine judgment often seen in other Hebrew terms.
Because it occurs so infrequently, din does not develop a complex theological layer in the canonical text. Instead, it serves as a precise lexical marker for human judicial authority within the post-exilic community. Its presence highlights the practical administration of justice required to maintain order among the returned exiles.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In Ezra 7:25, the Hebrew word din appears just once in the entire Old Testament. It describes the practical authority given to Ezra to appoint leaders who would judge the people according to God's laws. This single occurrence highlights how justice was not just a spiritual ideal but a daily necessity for the returned exiles rebuilding their community.
For your faith, this reminds us that God cares about fairness and order in human relationships. When we face disputes or seek guidance, we can trust that God provides wisdom through those He places in positions of authority. It invites you to value integrity and truth in your own interactions, knowing that just decisions reflect His character.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- judging1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דָּאיְנִין֙1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 7:25
You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who are beyond the River, who all know the laws of your God; and teach him who doesn’t know them.
This verse explicitly assigns the duty of judging to magistrates appointed by Ezra, showing din as a formal legal function rather than a general spiritual concept.