זְמַן (ze.man)
ze.man
time
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun zeman refers to a specific, appointed time or season rather than general duration. In the books of Daniel and Ezra, it marks fixed points in history when events are destined to occur. This usage reflects the administrative language of the Persian empire, where deadlines and scheduled appointments were common.
Its presence in these texts highlights the sovereignty of God over political timelines. When kings issue decrees or prophets receive visions, zeman underscores that history follows a divine schedule. Translators typically render it as "time" or "appointed time," capturing the sense of something set in advance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word zeman in Scripture points to an appointed or fixed time, often carrying the weight of divine sovereignty over history. In books like Daniel and Ezra, it marks specific moments when God’s purposes intersect with human events, reminding us that nothing is accidental or outside His control.
For your faith, this means even difficult seasons have a purpose within God’s larger plan. When you face uncertainty, zeman offers comfort: God sets the times and seasons, and He remains faithful to His promises. You can trust that every moment, whether joyful or challenging, is held within His wise and loving design.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- time/ the3×
- time1×
- appointed times1×
- and/ appointed times/ the1×
- and/ appointed time/ the1×
- a time1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זִמְנָ֡/א1×
- זִמְנָ֔/א1×
- זִמְנָ/א֩1×
- זִמְנִ֣ין1×
- זְמָ֣ן1×
- זְמַ֥ן1×
- וְ/זִמְנָ֣/א1×
- וְ/זִמְנַיָּ֔/א1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:21
He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding.
This verse highlights God's authority over timing, showing He controls when rulers rise and fall.
-
Daniel 7:25
He will speak words against the Most High, and will wear out the saints of the Most High. He will plan to change the times and the law; and they will be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.
Here zeman appears in a prophetic context, indicating a limited period of trial before God’s justice prevails.
-
Ezra 5:3
At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, came to them, with Shetharbozenai and their companions, and asked them, “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?”
The phrase 'at the same time' anchors a historical moment where political authority intersects with divine purpose.