Lexical Summary segan: Deputy, Governor, Official Original Word: סְגַן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance governor (Aramaic) corresponding to cagan -- governor. see HEBREW cagan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to sagan Definition a prefect NASB Translation prefect (1), prefects (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סְגַן] noun masculine perfect (ᵑ7 (rare), Egyptian Aramaic S-CD 13; see Biblical Hebrew (late), Assyrian loan-word) — plural absolute סִגְנִין Daniel 2:48; emphatic סִגְנַיָּא Daniel 3:2,3,27; Daniel 6:8. Topical Lexicon Overview The term סְגַן (segan) designates a high-level civil official—generally rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as “prefect” (Daniel 2:48; 3:2; 3:3; 3:27) or “administrator” (Daniel 6:7). Though the word appears only in Daniel, it points to a well-defined governmental office in the Neo-Babylonian and early Persian empires, a station immediately beneath the king’s chief ministers. The office carried both executive and advisory authority and is consistently linked with other regional dignitaries such as satraps, governors, and counselors. Administrative Function in the Ancient Near East 1. Executive oversight. Seganim were entrusted with carrying out royal decrees across the provinces. Their presence alongside satraps and governors suggests they were responsible for the practical enforcement of policy and supervision of lesser officials. Occurrences in Daniel and Narrative Significance • Daniel 2:48 — After the revelation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel is promoted to “chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.” The appointment indicates that the segan supervised the professional class of scholars, magicians, and administrators. Daniel’s elevation displays the LORD’s sovereignty in placing His servant over pagan structures. Historical and Cultural Insights • Continuity across empires. The appearance of the office in both Babylonian (Nebuchadnezzar) and Median-Persian (Darius) courts signals administrative continuity despite regime changes, a fact that corroborates the historical reliability of Daniel’s narrative. Theological Themes 1. Divine sovereignty over human structures. The rise of Daniel to “chief prefect” (2:48) shows that God “removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21) and likewise elevates officials at His pleasure. Ministry Implications • Faithful service in secular office. Daniel’s tenure as chief segan encourages believers who serve in government or corporate leadership to pursue excellence and integrity without compromising worship. Related Biblical Parallels Although segan appears only in Daniel, comparable roles emerge elsewhere: These figures illustrate a pattern of God placing His people in strategic administrative posts for redemptive purposes. Summary Segan denotes a high-ranking prefect or administrator who functions as an extension of imperial authority. In the Book of Daniel the seganim stand at the intersection of political power and divine revelation, providing historical verisimilitude and theological depth. Whether facilitating idolatrous decrees or witnessing miraculous deliverance, their role magnifies the truth that the Most High rules the kingdoms of men and grants authority to whomever He wills (Daniel 4:17). Forms and Transliterations סִגְנִ֔ין סִגְנַיָּ֣א סִגְנַיָּ֤א סגניא סגנין siḡ·nay·yā siḡ·nîn signaiYa siḡnayyā sigNin siḡnînLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:48 HEB: בָּבֶ֑ל וְרַב־ סִגְנִ֔ין עַ֖ל כָּל־ NAS: of Babylon and chief prefect over all KJV: and chief of the governors over INT: of Babylon great prefect over all Daniel 3:2 Daniel 3:3 Daniel 3:27 Daniel 6:7 5 Occurrences |
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