6243. esrin

Lexical Summary

esrin: Twenty

Original Word: עֶשְׂרִי
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: `esriyn
Pronunciation: es-reen'
Phonetic Spelling: (es-reen')
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H6242 (עֶשׂרִים - twenty)]

1. twenty

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.
2. Testing and covenant faithfulness – Jacob’s vow (Genesis 28:22) and Malachi’s challenge (Malachi 3:10) use a tenth to prove devotion.
3. Completeness within limit – Ten plagues, Ten Commandments, and ten virgins in Matthew 25:1–13 each portray full demonstration or sufficient sample.

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).
• Faithfulness in small fractions: Whether giving, time management, or spiritual gifts, dedicating “a tenth” symbolizes surrender of the whole.
• Courage within systems: Daniel’s integrity thrives under a government numerically perfect yet morally fragile, reminding believers to shine within secular structures (Philippians 2:15).

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.
2. Leadership Training – Congregational governance can adopt scalable groups (tens, fifties, hundreds) for discipleship and care.
3. Missions and Public Service – Engagement in civic roles reflects trust that the Lord directs kingdoms and counts each “tenth” for His purpose.

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·rîn

Englishman'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

Strong's Hebrew 6243
1 Occurrence

wə·‘eś·rîn — 1 Occ.