זְבַן (ze.van)
ze.van
to buy
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb zēvan means to acquire something by payment, specifically to buy or gain. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Daniel 2:8, where it describes the Chaldean astrologers’ attempt to purchase time from King Nebuchadnezzar. In this context, the word highlights a transactional approach to wisdom, treating knowledge as a commodity that can be secured through financial exchange rather than divine revelation.
This single occurrence underscores the contrast between human cunning and God’s sovereign power. The king accuses the wise men of trying to "gain" favor or delay judgment by paying him, an act that reveals their dishonesty. Unlike other Hebrew words for trade, zēvan here carries a negative connotation, suggesting a manipulative attempt to buy one’s way out of trouble. It serves as a literary device to emphasize that true insight cannot be purchased, but is given only by God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word zēvan appears only once in Scripture, found in Daniel 2:8. Here, King Nebuchadnezzar accuses his advisors of trying to buy time by paying him for more information. This rare verb captures a transactional mindset, where wisdom or truth is treated as a commodity to be secured through payment rather than received as a gift.
In our own lives, we often face moments where we feel the pressure to manipulate outcomes or secure favor through our own efforts. We might try to negotiate with circumstances or rely on clever strategies to avoid difficulty. Yet this passage reminds us that true insight and peace cannot be purchased. They come only from God, who reveals what is hidden and guides our steps.
When we feel the urge to control every detail of our future, we can rest in the knowledge that God holds all things in His hands. We do not need to buy our way into His favor or secure our destiny through human cunning. Instead, we can trust in His sovereign care and wait for His wisdom to unfold in His perfect timing.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [are] gaining1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זָבְנִ֑ין1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:8
The king answered, “I know of a certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see the thing has gone from me.
This verse uses zēvan to show the king accusing his advisors of trying to manipulate him by offering payment, highlighting their dishonest attempt to delay judgment.