Lexical Summary
edayin: then, at that time
Original Word:אֲדַיִן
Part of Speech:Adverb
Transliteration:edayin
Pronunciation:eh-dah'-yin
Phonetic Spelling:(ed-ah'-yin)
KJV: now, that time, then
NASB:then
Word Origin:[(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation]
1. then (of time)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
now, that time, then
(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation; then (of time) -- now, that time, then.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation
Definitionthen, thereupon
NASB Translationthen (57).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
57 (so Egyptian Aramaic S-C
Pap. H 1, J 1), not : the usually Aramaic forms are
, Mandean (Nö
M 207); from [] = Biblical Hebrew (see ) + determ. affix
n (as in , ; in Sabean = post-positive article; Hom
Chr. § 57: compare W
CG 115), Nö
GGA 1884, 1020: , [], probably from same demonstrative √ as , , , etc.,
,
,
lo
well then, in that case, Ethiopic
:
when?
:
now (Di
Lex. 197, 1072), Syriac
(enclitic)
but); —
then, thereupon,
Daniel 2:15,17,19,25,48;
Daniel 3:24 +,
Ezra 4:9;
Ezra 4:23;
Ezra 5:4;
Ezra 5:9 + (always, except
Ezra 5:5, at beginning of sentence, introducing new stage of narrative with some emphasis); so with , (3 t. Ezra, 26 t. Daniel)
Daniel 2:14,35,46;
Daniel 3:3,13,19,21 (twice in verse);
Daniel 3:26, etc.,
Ezra 4:24;
Ezra 5:2;
Ezra 6:1;
from that timeEzra 5:16.
Topical Lexicon
Overviewאֲדַיִן is the principal Aramaic temporal adverb rendered in English as “then,” “at that time,” or “thereupon.” It links narrated events with immediacy and logical progression, allowing the inspired writers of Ezra and Daniel to move the storyline forward while highlighting divine causality. Although the term is stylistically modest, its consistent placement at key turning-points draws attention to God’s sovereign timing, underscoring that every historical development unfolds according to His purposes.
Linguistic Range and Translation Choices
In the Berean Standard Bible the word is variously translated “then,” “at that time,” “thereupon,” or “now.” These English equivalents capture nuances that range from momentary succession (“then”) to a broader period (“at that time”). The flexibility of the word allows translators to preserve narrative momentum without losing theological depth; whether the interval is brief or extended, אֲדַיִן reminds the reader that the next scene is connected to the former by the invisible hand of providence.
Canonical Distribution
•Ezra 4 – 7 (approximately fourteen occurrences)
•Daniel 2 – 7 (approximately forty-three occurrences)
Thus every use is confined to the Aramaic portions of Scripture. No Hebrew, Greek, or New Testament counterpart exactly mirrors its narrative density, making the term a signature feature of these two exile-era books.
Narrative Function in Ezra
1. Opposition and Delay (Ezra 4)
“Then the work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased…” (Ezra 4:24). אֲדַיִן marks the abrupt halt of temple construction, immediately attributing the stoppage to enemy scheming.
2. Prophetic Restart (Ezra 5)
“Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak rose up…” (Ezra 5:2). A single adverb bridges sixteen years of inactivity, spotlighting the catalytic preaching of Haggai and Zechariah.
3. Royal Intervention (Ezra 6)
“Then King Darius issued a decree, and they searched the archives…” (Ezra 6:1). The narrative pivot from human obstruction to royal favor is signaled by אֲדַיִן, illustrating how God turns the hearts of kings (Proverbs 21:1).
4. Ezra’s Own Commission (Ezra 7)
“After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra… arrived in Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:1, 8). The adverb advances the account to a new generation, revealing covenant continuity.
Narrative Function in Daniel
1. Revelation of Mysteries (Daniel 2)
“Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends…” (Daniel 2:17). The word frames Daniel’s prayer meeting as the decisive step leading to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream interpretation, connecting intercession to revelation.
2. Deliverance from the Furnace (Daniel 3)
“Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement…” (Daniel 3:24). אֲדַיִן separates the moment of trial from the moment of deliverance, magnifying divine intervention.
3. Humbling of a King (Daniel 4)
“At that moment the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled…” (Daniel 4:33). Temporal immediacy underscores the certainty of prophetic judgment and subsequent restoration.
4. Handwriting on the Wall (Daniel 5)
“At that time the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall…” (Daniel 5:5). The sudden appearance of the hand is grammatically tethered to the king’s blasphemous banquet, stressing moral cause and effect.
5. The Lions’ Den (Daniel 6)
“Then these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king…” (Daniel 6:6). Repeated adverbs quicken the pace, showing the rapid unfolding of conspiracy, sentence, and rescue.
6. Eschatological Vision (Daniel 7)
“Then I desired to know the true meaning of the fourth beast…” (Daniel 7:19). Here אֲדַיִן leads from vision to interpretation, reflecting the pattern found earlier in chapter 2.
Themes Highlighted by the Temporal Marker
1. Divine Sovereignty over Time. Every “then” implies a divinely appointed “when.” Whether exiles rebuilding or monarchs dreaming, God’s timetable prevails (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
2. Covenant Faithfulness in Exile. In both books the people of God are displaced, yet each new stage—introduced by אֲדַיִן—demonstrates that exile cannot negate covenant promises.
3. Judgment and Mercy in Sequence. The adverb often brackets a fall followed by restoration (Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, the temple project), portraying judgment and mercy as successive expressions of God’s righteous character.
4. Human Agency under Divine Direction. Prophets, administrators, and pagan kings all act “then,” but their choices fulfill God’s larger plan (Daniel 4:35).
Theological and Ministry Insights
• Timing and Trust. Pastors can encourage believers to see every crisis as a potential “then”—the juncture where God shifts the narrative.
• Prayer Precedes Breakthrough. InDaniel 2 the adverb appears immediately after prayer is sought; prayer becomes the hinge between perplexity and revelation.
• Perseverance through Opposition. In Ezra, “then” often introduces renewed opposition, reminding modern disciples that forward progress frequently provokes resistance. Yet another “then” soon follows, displaying God’s counter-move.
• Prophetic Certainty. When prophets say, “then this will happen,” the subsequent fulfillment validates their message, reinforcing confidence in Scripture’s inerrancy.
Christological Implications and Foreshadowing
Although the term itself is not christological, its patterned use prepares readers to expect decisive, God-ordained moments.Galatians 4:4 later proclaims, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son.” The eschatological “fullness” of the New Testament mirrors the Old Testament cadence of “then,” culminating in the incarnation, passion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Application for Preaching and Teaching
1. Structure sermons around the “then” moments of a text to highlight divine turning-points.
2. Use the repetition in Daniel to illustrate perseverance in prayer and integrity.
3. Emphasize how small linguistic cues confirm the unity of Scripture, encouraging congregations to read attentively.
4. Draw parallels between Israel’s “then” moments and believers’ personal histories, reinforcing testimonies of God’s timely interventions.
Select References
Ezra 4:24; 5:2; 6:1, 13
Daniel 2:17, 25; 3:24; 4:31, 33; 5:5; 6:14, 19; 7:19, 28
Collectively these verses demonstrate how אֲדַיִן serves as Scripture’s narrative hinge, joining human events to the sovereign cadence of redemptive history.
Forms and Transliterations
אֱ֠דַיִן אֱדַ֗יִן אֱדַ֙יִן֙ אֱדַ֜יִן אֱדַ֣יִן אֱדַ֤יִן אֱדַ֥יִן אֱדַ֧יִן אֱדַ֨יִן אדין בֵּ֠אדַיִן בֵּאדַ֗יִן בֵּאדַ֙יִן֙ בֵּאדַ֛יִן בֵּאדַ֜יִן בֵּאדַ֡יִן בֵּאדַ֣יִן בֵּאדַ֣יִן ׀ בֵּאדַ֤יִן בֵּאדַ֨יִן באדין וֶאֱדַ֛יִן ואדין ’ĕ·ḏa·yin ’ĕḏayin bê·ḏa·yin beDayin bêḏayin eDayin veeDayin we’ĕḏayin we·’ĕ·ḏa·yin
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