זְמַן (ze.man)
ze.man
to agree
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb zeman appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Daniel 11:23. In this context, it describes a political maneuver where parties reach a mutual understanding or appointment. The root sense involves coming into agreement, specifically to set a specific time for an event or action.
Its single occurrence highlights a moment of calculated diplomacy rather than spontaneous harmony. The text uses the form to indicate that agreements are made in advance, with clear expectations about when things will happen. This precise timing underscores the deliberate nature of the covenant being described, where outcomes are scheduled and anticipated by those involved.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word zeman appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Daniel 11:23. It describes a calculated agreement or appointment made between parties. This is not a spontaneous bond of friendship, but a strategic alignment where specific terms and times are set in advance. The text highlights how political powers often use such arrangements to mask their true intentions while advancing their own agendas.
For your faith, this rare word offers a sobering reminder about the nature of human agreements. Not every promise made is sincere, and not every alliance reflects genuine goodwill. Understanding this helps us navigate relationships with wisdom, recognizing that some connections are built on mutual benefit rather than shared values. It encourages discernment in how we trust others.
While political schemes may seem complex, God’s sovereignty remains unchanged. We can find peace knowing that ultimate truth does not depend on human contracts or timed appointments. Instead, our hope rests in the reliability of God’s word, which stands firm regardless of shifting alliances or hidden motives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you have agreed together1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הִזְדְּמִנְתּוּן֙1×