Lexical Summary iddan: Time, period, season Original Word: עִדָּן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance time (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to that of ed; a set time; technically, a year -- time. see HEBREW ed NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to iddah Definition time NASB Translation moment (2), situation (1), time (8), times (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs עִדָּן noun masculineDaniel 2:9 time (ᵑ7 id., Syriac  , perhaps loan-word from Assyrian adannu, fixed, appointed, or definite, time; [Arabic  probably Aramaic loan-word, SchwZMG liii (1899), 197]); — absolute ׳ע Daniel 7:12 +; emphatic עִדָּנָא Daniel 2:8 +; plural absolute עִדָּנִין Daniel 4:13 +, emphatic עִדָּנַיָּא Daniel 2:21; — 1 in General, time, as duration Daniel 2:8; Daniel 7:12; involving specific conditions Daniel 2:9,21; (point of) time Daniel 3:5,15. 2 definite time, = year (as modern Greek χρόνος, see EASophocles1173): ׳שִׁבְעָה ע = seven years, Daniel 4:13; Daniel 4:20; Daniel 4:22; Daniel 4:29; עִדָּן וְעִדָּנִין וּפְלַג עִדָּן Daniel 7:25 (i.e. 3 2-Janyears, see Dr; perhaps read dual for plural, compare Bev GunkSchöpf. 201). Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Literary Setting עִדָּן appears thirteen times, all in the Aramaic sections of Daniel (Daniel 2–7). The word punctuates royal dialogue (Daniel 2:8–9; 3:5, 15), hymnic praise (Daniel 2:21), narrative judgment oracles (Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32), and apocalyptic visions (Daniel 7:12, 25). Its strategic placement binds court tales to prophetic revelation, unifying the book around a single theme: all “times” are in the hand of the Most High. Divine Sovereignty over History Daniel 2:21 sets the theological keynote: “He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them”. Here עִדָּן anchors a hymn declaring that political change is not random but governed by God’s deliberate schedule. The same conviction re-surfaces when Nebuchadnezzar warns the advisers that they are “trying to gain time” (Daniel 2:8); the court magicians may bargain, yet the divine timetable is immovable. Judgment and Restoration of Kings Nebuchadnezzar’s punitive “seven times” (Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32) illustrate that God not only sets eras but also measures personal chastening. The king’s madness is neither arbitrary nor indefinite; its duration is divinely fixed to bring him to confession: “the Most High still rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes” (Daniel 4:25). The repeated phrase “seven times” emphasizes completeness—judgment lasts exactly as long as necessary for repentance. Liturgical and Cultural Moment In Daniel 3:5 and 3:15, עִדָּן marks the precise instant when worshippers must bow before the golden image. The earthly king attempts to control the moment of worship, but the fiery-furnace narrative proves that God alone determines the true “time” for allegiance. The faithful Hebrews recognize that temporal threats cannot override eternal authority. Apocalyptic Chronology Daniel 7:12 juxtaposes two terms: “a time and a season” (עִדָּן וְזִמְנָה). The fourth beast’s dominion is curtailed within a divinely allotted span, underscoring that evil empires operate on a leash. Verse 25 sharpens the focus: “the saints will be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.” The singular-plural-fraction pattern signals a limited oppression that nevertheless advances God’s redemptive agenda. Later biblical writers echo this schema—Revelation’s “time, times, and half a time” and “forty-two months” draw directly from Daniel’s vocabulary, reinforcing prophetic continuity. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Confidence: Because God “changes the times,” believers may rest assured that geopolitical upheavals cannot thwart His kingdom (Psalm 31:15; Acts 17:26). Related Canonical Links • Genesis 1:14; Psalm 104:19 — heavenly bodies mark “seasons,” prefiguring God’s governance of time in Daniel. Key Passages for Study and Teaching Daniel 2:21; Daniel 3:15; Daniel 4:25; Daniel 7:12; Daniel 7:25 Summary עִדָּן encapsulates the truth that every historical moment, from imperial rise to individual repentance, unfolds under God’s sovereign schedule. Recognizing this frees God’s people to live with courage, humility, and hope, trusting that the “Ancient of Days” will consummate His purposes at exactly the right time. Forms and Transliterations בְּעִדָּנָ֡א בְעִדָּנָ֡א בעדנא וְעִדָּֽן׃ וְעִדָּנִ֖ין ועדן׃ ועדנין עִדָּ֥ן עִדָּֽן׃ עִדָּנִ֖ין עִדָּנַיָּא֙ עִדָּנָ֖א עדן עדן׃ עדנא עדניא עדנין ‘id·dā·nā ‘id·dā·nay·yā ‘id·dā·nîn ‘id·dān ‘iddān ‘iddānā ‘iddānayyā ‘iddānîn bə‘iddānā ḇə‘iddānā bə·‘id·dā·nā ḇə·‘id·dā·nā beiddaNa idDan iddaNa iddanaiYa iddaNin veidDan veiddaNa veiddaNin wə‘iddān wə‘iddānîn wə·‘id·dā·nîn wə·‘id·dānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:8 HEB: אֲנָ֔ה דִּ֥י עִדָּנָ֖א אַנְתּ֣וּן זָבְנִ֑ין NAS: that you are bargaining for time, inasmuch KJV: would gain the time, because INT: I for time ye you are bargaining Daniel 2:9 Daniel 2:21 Daniel 3:5 Daniel 3:15 Daniel 4:16 Daniel 4:23 Daniel 4:25 Daniel 4:32 Daniel 7:12 Daniel 7:25 Daniel 7:25 Daniel 7:25 13 Occurrences |
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