מָן (man)
man
who?
A:IntgQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:Intg
Word Overview
The Aramaic word man functions as an interrogative pronoun meaning "who" or "whatever." It is the direct equivalent of the Hebrew mah, serving as the standard way to ask about identity or personhood in the Western Semitic dialects found in the biblical text. Because it appears almost exclusively in the books of Daniel and Ezra, readers encounter it within the specific linguistic context of the Persian imperial court.
Its usage is straightforward but vital for understanding dialogue in these chapters. In Daniel 4:31, Nebuchadnezzar cries out, "O king, live forever!" before realizing his madness, though the word man appears more prominently in questions directed at foreign dignitaries or in rhetorical challenges about authority. It allows the text to shift seamlessly between Hebrew narrative and Aramaic correspondence, marking the boundary where Jewish exiles interact with Gentile powers.
Translators typically render this term simply as "who" or "whosoever," depending on whether it introduces a direct question or a relative clause. The consistency of its meaning across these texts highlights the shared linguistic heritage between Hebrew and Aramaic, even as the latter becomes the lingua franca of international diplomacy in the post-exilic period.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word man (Strong's H4479) is an Aramaic interrogative pronoun meaning "who" or "whatever." It appears primarily in the books of Ezra and Daniel, reflecting the linguistic shift to Aramaic as the administrative language of the Persian Empire. This term allows biblical authors to capture the direct dialogue between Jewish exiles and Gentile authorities, grounding the narrative in a specific historical reality.
For your faith, this word highlights the tension between human power and divine sovereignty. In Daniel 3:15, King Nebuchadnezzar asks, "Who is that god who will deliver you out of my hands?" This question exposes the limits of earthly authority. It invites readers to consider whose power truly matters when facing opposition or uncertainty in their own lives.
Understanding this term helps us see how God’s people navigated a foreign culture while remaining faithful. The text does not shy away from these difficult conversations, showing that faith often involves direct engagement with those who hold different views on authority and truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- who?2×
- and/ whoever2×
- what?1×
- and/ who?1×
- and/ to/ whomever1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַן\־3×
- וּ/מַן\־3×
- וּ/לְ/מַן\־1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 3:15
Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, good; but if you don’t worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the middle of a burning fiery furnace. Who is that god who will deliver you out of my hands?”
Nebuchadnezzar uses this word to challenge Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego about the identity of their God, highlighting the clash between imperial power and divine deliverance.
-
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?”
Tattenai asks this question to demand accountability from the Jewish leaders regarding their authority to rebuild the temple, showing the political scrutiny faced by the exiles.
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Daniel 5:21
He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will.
The text uses a related form (whomever) to emphasize that God sovereignly appoints rulers, contrasting human pride with divine control over kingdoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Aramaic word man mean?
Why is this word found in Daniel and Ezra but not elsewhere?
How is this word different from the Hebrew mah?
Every Occurrence (7 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 3 verses
At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, came to them, with Shetharbozenai and their companions, and…
Ezra 5:4They also asked for the names of the men who were making this building.
Ezra 5:9Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”