Lexical Summary kean: Now, at this time Original Word: כְּעַן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance now (Aramaic) probably from ken; now -- now. see HEBREW ken NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) probably from anah Definition now NASB Translation now (13). Brown-Driver-Briggs כְּעַן adverb now (so Egyptian Aramaic (CISii. 137 = CookeNo.73 RÉS:361 B S-CPap. C 5); ᵑ7, e.g. Numbers 22:4: עַן probably a substantive from [עָנָה] the √ of עֵת, time; so כְּעַן literally at (this) time = Hebrew עַתָּה: K§ 67, 4); — Daniel 2:23 וּכְעַן הוֺדַעְתַּנִי, Daniel 3:15; Daniel 4:34; Daniel 5:12,15,16; Daniel 6:9; Ezra 4:13,14,21; Ezra 5:17; Ezra 6:6; עַדכְּֿעַן until now Ezra 5:16 (so ᵑ7 Genesis 18:22 +). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Linguistic Function כְּעַן is an Aramaic adverb meaning “now,” “at this time,” or “as matters stand.” It marks a transition from background information to immediate action, draws attention to an urgent request, or underscores the current relevance of a statement. In Ezra and Daniel it regularly precedes petitions to Persian monarchs, introduces royal decrees, and highlights decisive moments in narrative or prayer. Distribution in Scripture Thirteen occurrences, all within the Aramaic portions of Ezra (Ezra 4:13, 14, 21; 5:16, 17; 6:6) and Daniel (Daniel 2:23; 3:15; 4:37; 5:12, 15, 16; 6:8). Every use is tied to exile-era settings, linking the word to God’s faithfulness during foreign domination. Historical Context In Ezra the term appears in official correspondence between Persian administrators and King Artaxerxes or Darius. The adversaries of the returning Jews employ כְּעַן to warn of political danger (“Now be it known to the king…” Ezra 4:13), while the Jewish elders use it in respectful petitions for permission to rebuild (“So now, if it pleases the king…” Ezra 5:17). In Daniel, כְּעַן punctuates key court scenes. Nebuchadnezzar demands immediate compliance with idolatry (“Now, if you are ready…” Daniel 3:15). Daniel praises God for present revelation (“Now You have made known to me what we asked of You” Daniel 2:23). The word appears in the “handwriting on the wall” episode (Daniel 5:15-16) and the attempt to entrap Daniel in prayer to Darius (Daniel 6:8). Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty in the Present: Each occurrence stresses what God is doing “now,” whether granting wisdom to Daniel or overruling imperial decrees to protect His people. Examples of Usage Ezra 4:14: “Now because we are in service to the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king’s dishonor, we have sent to inform the king.” Here כְּעַן signals the political motive behind the opposition’s report. Daniel 4:37: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because all His works are true and His ways are just.” The king’s present confession contrasts with his earlier pride, illustrating God’s ability to humble rulers instantly. Daniel 6:8: “Now, O king, issue the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed…” The conspirators press for immediate legislation, yet God overturns their scheme in the lions’ den. Ministry Application • Present-Tense Grace: Believers can rest in God’s “now” help (Hebrews 4:16). Just as Daniel received wisdom at the crucial moment, Christians may expect timely grace. Christological and Eschatological Implications By marking turning points in exile history, כְּעַן anticipates the fuller revelation of “the acceptable time” (2 Corinthians 6:2) ushered in by Jesus Christ. Each “now” in Ezra and Daniel foreshadows the decisive “now” of the gospel age, when God acts definitively in the incarnation, atonement, and promised return of His Son. Forms and Transliterations וּכְעַ֞ן וּכְעַ֤ן וכען כְּעַ֗ן כְּעַ֛ן כְּעַ֞ן כְּעַ֡ן כְּעַ֣ן כְּעַן֙ כען kə‘an kə·‘an keAn ū·ḵə·‘an ucheAn ūḵə‘anLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:13 HEB: כְּעַ֗ן יְדִ֙יעַ֙ לֶהֱוֵ֣א NAS: Now let it be known to the king, KJV: Be it known now unto the king, INT: Now it be known become Ezra 4:14 Ezra 4:21 Ezra 5:16 Ezra 5:17 Ezra 6:6 Daniel 2:23 Daniel 3:15 Daniel 4:37 Daniel 5:12 Daniel 5:15 Daniel 5:16 Daniel 6:8 13 Occurrences |
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