Lexical Summary esrin: Twenty Original Word: עֶשְׂרִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance twenty (Aramaic) corresponding to esriym -- twenty. see HEBREW esriym NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to esrim Definition twenty NASB Translation 120* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֶשְׂרִין noun plural indeclinable twenty; — ׳מְאָה וְע Daniel 6:2 (follows noun masculine). Topical Lexicon Numeric Meaning עֶשְׂרִי represents the ordinal “tenth.” In Hebrew thought, ten and its multiples frequently express completeness, order, and proportional division. A “tenth” can denote the final part of a counted series or a representative share of the whole. Biblical Occurrence (Daniel 6:1) The only canonical appearance of the form is in Daniel 6:1, where it stands inside the composite number “one hundred and twenty”: “It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom” (Daniel 6:1). Here the word supplies the “ten-part” component within the larger number. The administration of 120 officials illustrates structured governance in units of tens, a pattern that echoes earlier biblical models of organization (e.g., Exodus 18:25). Historical Setting Daniel 6 positions the prophet under Median-Persian rule shortly after the fall of Babylon (539 BC). Darius reorganizes the empire, preferring a tiered system that distributes authority widely yet maintains central accountability. The presence of the “tenth” element within 120 satraps underscores the orderly fashion of Persian administration, reflecting God’s providential oversight even in pagan governments (cf. Proverbs 21:1). Symbolic Connotations of a Tenth 1. Possession of the Lord – The tithe (Leviticus 27:30) designates a tenth as holy. Though Daniel 6:1 is a narrative use, it benefits from these resonances: the empire’s administrative completeness mirrors the divine attribute of order. Ministerial Insights • God values structure: Leaders today should emulate sound organization that promotes accountability and service rather than control (compare Acts 6:1–7). Practical Application for the Church 1. Stewardship – Teaching on tithing gains depth when connected to the wider biblical theme of the tenth as God’s rightful portion. The solitary appearance of עֶשְׂרִי in Daniel thus serves as a quiet yet meaningful witness to the harmony between divine order and human administration, calling believers to faithful stewardship and principled leadership. Forms and Transliterations וְעֶשְׂרִ֑ין ועשרין veesRin wə‘eśrîn wə·‘eś·rînLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 6:1 HEB: לַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֖א מְאָ֣ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֑ין דִּ֥י לֶהֱוֹ֖ן KJV: an hundred and twenty princes, INT: satraps an hundred and twenty should be 1 Occurrence |