Lexical Summary
zaman: To appoint, to prepare, to determine
Original Word:זָמַן
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:zaman
Pronunciation:zah-MAHN
Phonetic Spelling:(zaw-man')
KJV: appoint
NASB:appointed, fixed
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to fix (a time)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
appoint
A primitive root; to fix (a time) -- appoint.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
zamamDefinitionto be fixed, appointed
NASB Translationappointed (4), fixed (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] (Aramaic and late) only
Participle , of time (Arabic
continue, Aramaic Pa`el ,
summon to fixed time orplace, invite, appoint; compare below) —Ezra 10:14;Nehemiah 10:35;Nehemiah 13:31.
Topical Lexicon
Root Idea and Semantic Rangeזָמַן conveys the act of fixing a time, appointing, or setting in order. It is consistently used of deliberate scheduling for covenantal or communal duties rather than casual arrangements. The stem stresses purposeful preparation that enables obedience to God’s revealed will.
Occurrences in Scripture
1.Ezra 10:14 – leaders “appoint” times to examine marriages with foreign wives, ensuring the reform is carried out justly and thoroughly.
2.Nehemiah 10:34 – lots are cast so “at appointed times” families supply wood for the altar, guaranteeing continual worship.
3.Nehemiah 13:31 – Nehemiah “arranged the supply of wood at the appointed times” as part of restoring temple order after neglect.
Historical Setting
All three uses fall within the post-exilic reforms led by Ezra and Nehemiah (fifth century B.C.). These leaders were rebuilding not merely walls and structures but covenant life. Precise scheduling was essential for a dispersed, recently returned population learning again to live under the Law of Moses in their own land.
Worship and Community Order
The wood-offering texts show that even the mundane task of stocking fuel for the altar required orderly participation from every family line. “We cast lots … to bring it into the house of our God at appointed times year by year” (Nehemiah 10:34). Regularity safeguarded perpetual sacrifice, pointing to uninterrupted fellowship with God. Neglect of these appointments inNehemiah 13 provoked reform, illustrating how lapses in practical service can erode spiritual life.
Judicial Administration
InEzra 10 the verb governs a legal process: each offender appears “at the appointed time” before local elders. The careful timetable prevents mob justice while still dealing firmly with sin. Thus זָמַן links righteous procedure with covenant purity.
Theological Significance
1. God of Order: By embedding appointments in communal life, Scripture reflects the orderly character of God (compare1 Corinthians 14:33).
2. Covenant Faithfulness: Fixed times embody reliability. When the people honor set schedules for worship, they mirror the steadfastness of God’s own promises.
3. Shared Responsibility: Casting lots for scheduled service distributes duty equitably, affirming the priesthood’s reliance on lay cooperation.
Foreshadowing in Redemptive History
The rhythm of appointed times anticipates the fullness of time when the Father sent the Son (Galatians 4:4). Just as post-exilic Israel organized continual sacrifices, Christ became the once-for-all sacrifice, perfectly timed in God’s plan. The concept also echoes inActs 17:26, where God “appointed their times” for every nation, underscoring His sovereign timetable.
Ministry Applications Today
• Establish clear, accountable schedules for corporate worship and service; faithfulness in small duties sustains spiritual vitality.
• Use orderly processes in church discipline, balancing zeal for holiness with fairness.
• Rotate practical tasks among believers to foster shared ownership of ministry, as Nehemiah rotated wood supply among families.
• Teach on God’s sovereignty over time, encouraging trust when His appointments differ from human preference.
Conclusion
זָמַן highlights the necessity of divinely guided planning within covenant life. Whether ensuring pure marriages or fueling the altar’s fire, appointed times anchor the community in obedience, reflect God’s orderly nature, and pave the way for the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive schedule in Jesus Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
מְזֻמָּנ֖וֹת מְזֻמָּנִ֔ים מְזֻמָּנִ֖ים מזמנות מזמנים mə·zum·mā·nîm mə·zum·mā·nō·wṯ mezummaNim məzummānîm mezummaNot məzummānōwṯ
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