Lexical Summary
zeman: Time, season
Original Word:זְמַן
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:zman
Pronunciation:zeh-MAHN
Phonetic Spelling:(zem-an')
KJV: prepare
NASB:agreed together
Word Origin:[(Aramaic) corresponding toH2163 (זָמַן - appointed)]
1. to agree (on a time and place)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
prepare
(Aramaic) corresponding tozaman; to agree (on a time and place) -- prepare.
see HEBREWzaman
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to
zamanDefinitionto agree together
NASB Translationagreed together (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] (); —
Perfect3masculine plural
Daniel 2:9 Qr (D
211, 2nd ed. 263 M
§ 12 a; Kt
, seeOnkExodus 5:14 D (2) 263, 403), followed by Infinitive .
Topical Lexicon
Biblical settingThe only occurrence of זְמַן (Strong’s 2164) isDaniel 2:9, spoken by King Nebuchadnezzar to the Chaldean advisers after they request more opportunity to recount his forgotten dream. The king accuses them of stalling “until the situation changes” (Daniel 2:9), exposing their hope that the pressure of the moment might pass or that events might turn in their favor. The term therefore functions as an “interval,” “occasion,” or “window of opportunity” that mortals attempt to manipulate.
Historical backdrop in Daniel
Nebuchadnezzar’s court culture prized divination and astrology. Royal decrees were often irrevocable, yet time could sometimes weaken their enforcement. The advisers reason that if they can defer judgment, the monarch’s anger may cool or new distractions may arise. Against this cultural expectation, the king demands immediate proof of supernatural insight. The stage is thus set for Daniel to seek “mercies from the God of heaven concerning this mystery” (Daniel 2:18). Human schemes based on manipulating time collapse before the Lord’s direct revelation.
Theological themes
1. Divine sovereignty over time
Daniel later praises God who “changes times and seasons” (Daniel 2:21). The narrative juxtaposes human attempts to buy time (זְמַן) with God’s absolute authority to ordain and alter times. The single lexical use in verse 9 subtly reinforces the larger doctrine that no amount of temporal maneuvering can thwart the divine timetable.
2. Urgency of revelation
The king’s ultimatum transforms זְמַן into a moment of crisis that requires immediate faith. Daniel responds not by appealing for delay but by seeking heavenly wisdom. The episode illustrates that revelatory truth is not bound by human scheduling; when God unveils mysteries, He supplies what is needed “in the time of need” (compareHebrews 4:16).
3. Contrast between earthly and heavenly counsel
The court sages rely on political calculation. Daniel depends on prayer and communal intercession (Daniel 2:17–18). The narrative warns against trusting in mere postponement and commends reliance on the Lord of history.
Ministry implications
• Preaching and teaching: The account counsels believers to avoid procrastination in spiritual matters. When conviction comes, today is the accepted time to act (2 Corinthians 6:2).
• Pastoral care: People may seek to delay repentance or obedience, hoping circumstances will shift.Daniel 2 encourages shepherds to call for present submission to God’s revealed will.
• Leadership: Nebuchadnezzar’s impatience illustrates the limitations of autocratic power, while Daniel models servant‐leadership that waits on God yet responds decisively once direction is received.
Intertextual resonance
Though זְמַן appears only here, Scripture is rich with cognate ideas:
•Psalm 31:15 “My times are in Your hands.”
•Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
•Acts 1:7 “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.”
These passages unite the Testaments in affirming that God, not man, governs the flow of history.
Devotional reflection
Nebuchadnezzar’s threat framed time as an adversary; Daniel’s trust transformed time into an arena for God’s glory. Every believer faces similar crossroads: either manipulate the moment for self-preservation or surrender the moment for divine revelation. Trusting the Lord of time brings clarity, courage, and the opportunity to witness His sovereignty displayed.
Forms and Transliterations
הִזְדְּמִנְתּוּן֙ הזדמנתון hiz·də·min·tūn hizdeminTun hizdəmintūn
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