דִּין (din)
din
judgment
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun dîn, corresponding to the Hebrew dîn (H1779), denotes judgment or legal dispute. It appears in only four verses within the biblical text, primarily situated in the books of Daniel and Ezra where Aramaic sections dominate. In these contexts, the word refers to formal legal proceedings or the verdicts issued by authorities.
Because it is restricted to the later imperial Aramaic portions of Scripture, dîn reflects the administrative language of the Persian period rather than classical Hebrew litigation. The sources identify it simply as the Aramaic equivalent of its Hebrew counterpart, carrying the same core meaning of judicial decision or controversy without introducing distinct semantic nuances.
This term highlights the linguistic shift in biblical narrative during the exile and return. While Hebrew texts typically use dîn (H1779) for a wide range of legal and moral judgments, the Aramaic dîn appears in specific historical accounts involving foreign courts and imperial decrees. Its limited usage underscores the specialized context of divine or human judgment within the broader political landscape of the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for judgment in these texts points to a definitive legal decision made by an authority. In the Persian empire’s administrative language, this term described formal verdicts issued by kings or courts. When you encounter it in Scripture, it reminds you that human laws and imperial decrees have real consequences. Yet, these passages also hint at a higher reality where earthly power is subject to divine oversight.
In Daniel 7, the scene shifts from human courts to the throne of God. Here, judgment is not just a punishment but a vindication for those who remain faithful. The Ancient of Days sits in court, and the verdict goes to the saints. This offers comfort when you feel overwhelmed by unjust systems or unclear outcomes in your own life.
Ultimately, this word assures us that justice will prevail. Whether through human decree or divine intervention, truth is established. You can trust that God sees every dispute and will right every wrong in His perfect time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- court/ the1×
- and/ court/ the1×
- and/ <the>/ judgment1×
- <the>/ judgment1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/דִינָ֣/א1×
- וְ/דִינָ֖/א1×
- דִּינָ֥/א1×
- דִּינָ֕/ה1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 7:10
A fiery stream issued and came out from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set. The books were opened.
This verse describes the cosmic setting where judgment is formally established before God's throne, emphasizing the solemnity of divine authority.
-
Daniel 7:22
until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Here the verdict results in victory for the saints, showing that divine judgment ultimately protects and empowers the faithful against oppression.
-
Ezra 7:26
Whoever will not do the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed on him with all diligence, whether it is to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
This occurrence highlights the practical application of judgment in a political context, where failure to obey God's law and the king's decree leads to severe consequences.