116. edayin
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
Definition
then, thereupon
NASB Translation
then (57).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֱדַ֫יִן57 adverb then, thereupon (so Egyptian Aramaic S-CPap. H 1, J 1), not ᵑ7: the usually Aramaic forms are הֵידֵין , Mandean האידין (NöM 207); from [אֱדַי] = Biblical Hebrew אֲזַי (see אָז) + determ. affix n (as in דִּכֵּן, תַּמָּן; in Sabean = post-positive article; HomChr. § 57: compare WCG 115), NöGGA 1884, 1020: אֲזַי, [אֱדַי], probably from same demonstrative √ as זֶה, דָּא, דִּי, etc., , , lo well then, in that case, Ethiopic : when? : now (DiLex. 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 בְּ, בֵּאדַיִן (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; מִןאֱֿדַיִן from that time Ezra 5:16.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

אֲדַיִן 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. In Daniel 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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Englishman's Concordance
Ezra 4:9
HEB: אֱדַ֜יִן רְח֣וּם בְּעֵל־
NAS: then [wrote] Rehum the commander
KJV: Then [wrote] Rehum the chancellor,
INT: then Rehum chancellor

Ezra 4:23
HEB: אֱדַ֗יִן מִן־ דִּ֞י
NAS: Then as soon as the copy
KJV: Now when the copy
INT: Then according forasmuch

Ezra 4:24
HEB: בֵּאדַ֗יִן בְּטֵלַת֙ עֲבִידַ֣ת
NAS: Then work on the house
KJV: Then ceased the work
INT: Then ceased work

Ezra 5:2
HEB: בֵּאדַ֡יִן קָ֠מוּ זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל
NAS: then Zerubbabel the son
KJV: Then rose up Zerubbabel
INT: then arose Zerubbabel

Ezra 5:4
HEB: אֱדַ֥יִן כְּנֵ֖מָא אֲמַ֣רְנָא
NAS: Then we told them accordingly
KJV: Then said
INT: Then accordingly told

Ezra 5:5
HEB: לְדָרְיָ֣וֶשׁ יְהָ֑ךְ וֶאֱדַ֛יִן יְתִיב֥וּן נִשְׁתְּוָנָ֖א
NAS: to Darius, and then a written reply
KJV: to Darius: and then they returned answer
INT: to Darius came and then be returned A written

Ezra 5:9
HEB: אֱדַ֗יִן שְׁאֵ֙לְנָא֙ לְשָׂבַיָּ֣א
NAS: Then we asked those
KJV: Then asked we those
INT: Then asked elders

Ezra 5:16
HEB: אֱדַ֙יִן֙ שֵׁשְׁבַּצַּ֣ר דֵּ֔ךְ
NAS: Then that Sheshbazzar came
KJV: Then came the same
INT: Then Sheshbazzar the same

Ezra 5:16
HEB: בִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם וּמִן־ אֱדַ֧יִן וְעַד־ כְּעַ֛ן
NAS: in Jerusalem; and from then until
KJV: and since that time even until
INT: Jerusalem and since then until now

Ezra 6:1
HEB: בֵּאדַ֛יִן דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ מַלְכָּ֖א
NAS: Then King Darius
KJV: Then Darius the king
INT: Then Darius King

Ezra 6:13
HEB: אֱ֠דַיִן תַּתְּנַ֞י פַּחַ֧ת
NAS: Then Tattenai, the governor
KJV: Then Tatnai, governor
INT: Then Tattenai the governor

Daniel 2:14
HEB: בֵּאדַ֣יִן דָּנִיֵּ֗אל הֲתִיב֙
NAS: Then Daniel replied
KJV: Then Daniel answered
INT: Then Daniel replied

Daniel 2:15
HEB: קֳדָ֣ם מַלְכָּ֑א אֱדַ֣יִן מִלְּתָ֔א הוֹדַ֥ע
NAS: [so] urgent? Then Arioch
KJV: the king? Then Arioch
INT: from the king Then the matter informed

Daniel 2:17
HEB: אֱדַ֥יִן דָּֽנִיֵּ֖אל לְבַיְתֵ֣הּ
NAS: Then Daniel went
KJV: Then Daniel went
INT: Then Daniel to his house

Daniel 2:19
HEB: אֱדַ֗יִן לְדָנִיֵּ֛אל בְּחֶזְוָ֥א
NAS: Then the mystery was revealed
KJV: Then was the secret revealed
INT: Then to Daniel vision

Daniel 2:19
HEB: רָזָ֣ה גֲלִ֑י אֱדַ֙יִן֙ דָּֽנִיֵּ֔אל בָּרִ֖ךְ
NAS: in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed
KJV: in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed
INT: the mystery was revealed Then Daniel blessed

Daniel 2:25
HEB: אֱדַ֤יִן אַרְיוֹךְ֙ בְּהִתְבְּהָלָ֔ה
NAS: Then Arioch hurriedly
KJV: Then Arioch brought in
INT: Then Arioch hurriedly

Daniel 2:35
HEB: בֵּאדַ֣יִן דָּ֣קוּ כַחֲדָ֡ה
NAS: Then the iron, the clay,
KJV: Then was the iron, the clay,
INT: Then were crushed the same

Daniel 2:46
HEB: בֵּ֠אדַיִן מַלְכָּ֤א נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר֙
NAS: Then King Nebuchadnezzar
KJV: Then the king Nebuchadnezzar
INT: Then King Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel 2:48
HEB: אֱדַ֨יִן מַלְכָּ֜א לְדָנִיֵּ֣אל
NAS: Then the king promoted
KJV: Then the king made
INT: Then the king Daniel

Daniel 3:3
HEB: בֵּאדַ֡יִן מִֽתְכַּנְּשִׁ֡ין אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֡א
NAS: Then the satraps, the prefects
KJV: Then the princes, the governors,
INT: Then were assembled the satraps

Daniel 3:13
HEB: בֵּאדַ֤יִן נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר֙ בִּרְגַ֣ז
NAS: Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage
KJV: Then Nebuchadnezzar in [his] rage
INT: Then Nebuchadnezzar rage

Daniel 3:13
HEB: וַעֲבֵ֣ד נְג֑וֹ בֵּאדַ֙יִן֙ גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א אִלֵּ֔ךְ
NAS: Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men
KJV: and Abednego. Then they brought
INT: Meshach and Abed-nego then men these

Daniel 3:19
HEB: בֵּאדַ֨יִן נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֜ר הִתְמְלִ֣י
NAS: Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled
KJV: Then was Nebuchadnezzar full
INT: Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled

Daniel 3:21
HEB: בֵּאדַ֜יִן גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א אִלֵּ֗ךְ
NAS: Then these men
KJV: Then these men
INT: Then men these

57 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 116
57 Occurrences


bê·ḏa·yin — 29 Occ.
’ĕ·ḏa·yin — 27 Occ.
we·’ĕ·ḏa·yin — 1 Occ.

115
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