Lexical Summary zeman: appointed time, definite time, time Original Word: זְמָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance season, time From zaman; an appointed occasion -- season, time. see HEBREW zaman NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom zaman Definition appointed time, time NASB Translation appointed time (1), definite time (1), time (1), times (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs זְמָ֑ן noun masculine (late) appointed time, time (Arabic  , Ethiopic  Biblical Aramaic, ᵑ7 זְמַן, but Syriac  , Mandean זיבנא, Samaritan  , Palmyrene זבנא, compare ReckendZMG 1888, 394 **Mandean זנאן, see NöM 152; on Old Persian origin see Biblical Aramaic) — singular זְמָ֑ן Nehemiah 2:6; Ecclesiastes 3:1; suffix וְכִזְמַנָּ֑ם Esther 9:27, בִּזְמַנֵּיהֶם Esther 9:31, (on Dagh. compare Ges§ 20. 2, c). Topical Lexicon Overview Zeman denotes a consciously fixed, purposeful moment within the unfolding of God’s providence. Each of its four occurrences accents the intersection of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, highlighting that history advances not randomly but by appointments set or recognized under heaven. Biblical Occurrences • Nehemiah 2:6 – When Artaxerxes consents to Nehemiah’s mission, “it pleased the king to send me, and I set him a time.” The restoration of Jerusalem is tied to a definite schedule, underscoring that covenant renewal operates within measurable periods decreed by God and respected by rulers. Theology of Divine Timing Zeman communicates more than chronology; it conveys covenant intentionality. Whether rebuilding walls, preserving a people, or ordering the seasons of life, Scripture portrays time as God-governed. Planning is therefore neither presumptuous nor futile when surrendered to His will (compare Proverbs 16:9; James 4:13-15). Historical and Cultural Setting All four texts arise in the Persian era or its literary reflection. Imperial edicts (Nehemiah, Esther) illustrate how God uses political timetables to advance redemptive purposes. Ecclesiastes, likely composed in a later wisdom milieu, universalizes the lesson: every culture and era is bounded by divine schedule. Connections to Biblical Feasts and Sacred Calendar Esther’s usage links zeman to liturgical memory. By codifying Purim at fixed times, Israel testifies that salvation events must be rehearsed annually. This mirrors earlier Torah patterns (Passover, Leviticus 23) and anticipates the church’s observance of the Lord’s Supper—another appointed remembrance of deliverance accomplished “when the fullness of time had come” (Galatians 4:4). Christological and Redemptive Implications Zeman foreshadows the messianic “hour” language in the Gospels (John 2:4; 12:23). Just as Nehemiah’s commission and Esther’s triumph occurred at appointed moments, so Christ’s atoning death rose out of a calendared purpose, reinforcing the unity of Old and New Testament chronology. Pastoral and Discipleship Applications • Encourages patient trust: believers await God’s timetable for answered prayer and ministry fruit (Habakkuk 2:3). Teaching and Homiletical Aids 1. Contrast Nehemiah’s scheduled leave with Esther’s annual feast to show private and corporate dimensions of appointed time. Key Takeaways Zeman affirms that God orchestrates history by purposeful appointments, calls His people to recognize and honor these moments, and ultimately centers all time around the redemptive work of Jesus Christ—the definitive “appointed time” for salvation. Forms and Transliterations בִּזְמַנֵּיהֶ֗ם בזמניהם וְכִזְמַנָּ֑ם וכזמנם זְמָ֑ן זְמָֽן׃ זמן זמן׃ biz·man·nê·hem bizmannêhem bizmanneiHem vechizmanNam wə·ḵiz·man·nām wəḵizmannām zə·mān zeMan zəmānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 2:6 HEB: וָֽאֶתְּנָ֥ה ל֖וֹ זְמָֽן׃ NAS: me, and I gave him a definite time. KJV: to send me; and I set him a time. INT: to send gave A definite Esther 9:27 Esther 9:31 Ecclesiastes 3:1 4 Occurrences |
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