Lexical Summary mena or menah: To count, to number, to reckon Original Word: מְנָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance number, ordain, set (Aramaic) or mnah (Aramaic) {men-aw'}; corresponding to manah; to count, appoint -- number, ordain, set. see HEBREW manah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to manah Definition to number, reckon NASB Translation appoint (1), appointed (3), numbered (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְנָה verb number, reckon (see Biblical Hebrew); — Pe`al Perfect3masculine singular ׳מ Daniel 5:26 God has numbered (the days of) thy kingdom (accusative; i.e. put an end to it); — מְנֵא see below Pa`el appoint, accusative of person: Perfect3masculine singular מַנִּי Daniel 2:24 (+ Infinitive), Daniel 2:49 (ל person + עַל of thing); 2 masculine singular מִבִּיתָ Daniel 3:12 (עַל of thing); Imperative masculine singular מֶנִּי (K§, 47, 3, c)) Ezra 7:25. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Range of Usage מְנָא (mena) conveys the ideas of numbering, reckoning, or appointing. In Scripture it consistently relates either to the deliberate setting of people in positions of responsibility or to the divine calculation of time and destiny. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Ezra 7:25 — Ezra is instructed to “appoint magistrates and judges”, securing just governance in the restored community. Theological Themes • Divine Sovereignty: God not only numbers kingdoms (Daniel 5:26) but also orchestrates appointments in foreign courts (Daniel 2:49), demonstrating control over pagan and covenant communities alike. Historical and Cultural Background All five occurrences appear in Imperial Aramaic sections (Ezra and Daniel), reflecting administrative language of the Persian and Babylonian courts. The term’s bureaucratic nuance fits the milieu of decrees, provinces, and satraps, underscoring how God works through the machinery of empires to fulfill covenant purposes. Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship • Appoint with Discernment: Ezra models selection based on “the wisdom of your God” rather than mere political expediency. Prophetic and Eschatological Considerations “MENE” signals that oppressive regimes have a fixed term. This anticipates the prophetic pattern in which world powers rise and fall under God’s timetable, culminating in the everlasting kingdom portrayed later in Daniel 7. The verb’s dual sense—installing rulers and terminating them—foreshadows the final judgment when every authority will answer to Christ (cf. Revelation 11:15). Connections to New Testament Revelation The New Testament echoes these dynamics: Summary מְנָא encapsulates the biblical tension between entrusted authority and ultimate accountability. Whether granting Ezra power to organize justice, elevating young Hebrews in Babylon, or declaring an empire’s end, the word reminds every generation that offices, opportunities, and even empires are counted out by the sovereign God who appoints—and concludes—human rule. Forms and Transliterations וּמַנִּ֗י ומני מְנָֽה־ מֶ֣נִּי מַנִּ֣י מַנִּ֤יתָ מנה־ מני מנית man·nî man·nî·ṯā manNi mannî manNita mannîṯā mə·nāh- men·nî menah mənāh- Menni mennî ū·man·nî umanNi ūmannîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 7:25 HEB: דִּֽי־ בִידָךְ֙ מֶ֣נִּי שָׁפְטִ֞ין וְדַיָּנִ֗ין NAS: is in your hand, appoint magistrates KJV: that [is] in thine hand, set magistrates INT: which your hand appoint magistrates and judges Daniel 2:24 Daniel 2:49 Daniel 3:12 Daniel 5:26 5 Occurrences |
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