997. ben
Lexical Summary
ben: Son

Original Word: בֵּין
Part of Speech: Preposition
Transliteration: beyn
Pronunciation: ben
Phonetic Spelling: (bane)
NASB: among, between
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H996 (בֵּין - between)]

1. among, between

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
among, between

(Aramaic) corresponding to beyn -- among, between.

see HEBREW beyn

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to bayin
Definition
between
NASB Translation
among (1), between (1).

Topical Lexicon
בֵּין (Strong’s Hebrew 997)

Literal and Figurative Sense

The term marks the space or interval separating two or more objects, persons, or ideas. Whether rendered “between,” “among,” or “in the midst of,” it signals distinction without disconnection: what lies בֵּין is both separated from and related to the surrounding elements. The word therefore provides Scripture with a concise way to speak of boundaries, mediating spaces, and points of tension where divine revelation often concentrates attention.

Occurrences in Daniel’s Vision of the Beasts

1. Daniel 7:5 – The second beast, resembling a bear, appears “with three ribs between its teeth.” The phrase paints the animal in an active moment of devouring conquest. The location of the ribs בֵּין the teeth underscores that the beast’s aggression is already underway, not merely potential.
2. Daniel 7:8 – As Daniel contemplates the horns of the terrifying fourth beast, “another horn, a little one, came up among them.” Here בֵּין locates the newcomer within an existing power structure, signaling both its humble origin and its eventual disruptive influence.

Theological Themes Highlighted by בֵּין

• Judgment and Sovereignty: In Daniel 7, the interval בֵּין the teeth and הבֵּין the horns positions each object for an impending divine assessment. The consuming bear and the presumptuous little horn invite the Ancient of Days to intervene, demonstrating that what happens “between” earthly powers remains under heavenly scrutiny.
• Transitional Moments: Scripture frequently situates decisive acts of God in liminal spaces—between waters (Exodus 14:21), between the cherubim (Psalm 99:1), between evening and morning (Genesis 1:5). Daniel’s usage continues this pattern, showing history poised בֵּין the rise and fall of kingdoms.
• Mediation and Messiah: The concept of an interval prepares readers for the One who stands “between God and men” as Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). The political chaos in Daniel 7 heightens anticipation for the Son of Man who receives an everlasting dominion (Daniel 7:13-14).

Historical and Prophetic Significance

The three ribs between the bear’s teeth have been understood to symbolize three major conquests of the Medo-Persian Empire, while the little horn appearing among the ten has been variously identified with Antiochus Epiphanes, the Roman emperor system, or an eschatological antichrist. In each interpretation, בֵּין pinpoints the vulnerable intersection where human power overreaches and divine judgment is pronounced.

Ministry Application

• Discernment: Like Daniel, believers must observe what lies “between the teeth” of prevailing cultural forces. Recognizing the location and nature of that which is being devoured enables wise, prayerful engagement.
• Watchfulness: The little horn emerges quietly בֵּין established powers. Spiritual vigilance involves attention to small beginnings that can grow into significant opposition to God’s reign.
• Hope: Even when wickedness stands in the midst, the vision ends with the saints receiving the kingdom (Daniel 7:27). Understanding the role of בֵּין helps pastors and teachers underscore that present tensions are temporary stages in God’s redemptive timeline.

Key Cross-References

Exodus 14:21 – “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided.” The dry path בֵּין the waters becomes a channel of salvation.
1 Samuel 17:40 – David chooses five smooth stones and approaches Goliath “with his sling in his hand.” The stones will soon lodge בֵּין the giant’s eyes, demonstrating God’s power to deliver through what is placed in the middle.
Psalm 68:13 – Even as “you lie down among the sheepfolds,” the wings of the dove are covered with silver. God’s favor meets His people בֵּין ordinary duties.

Summary

Though appearing only twice, בֵּין in Daniel 7 sharpens focus on decisive junctures within prophetic history. It teaches that what stands “between” is neither hidden from God nor beyond His control. For the church today, the word calls for faithful interpretation of the spaces where conflict, transition, and opportunity converge, always with confidence that the Ancient of Days rules over every interval.

Forms and Transliterations
בֵּ֣ין בֵּֽינֵיהֵ֔ן בין ביניהן bê·nê·hên bein beineiHen bên bênêhên
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Englishman's Concordance
Daniel 7:5
HEB: עִלְעִ֛ין בְּפֻמַּ֖הּ בֵּ֣ין [שִׁנַּיַּהּ כ]
NAS: [were] in its mouth between its teeth;
KJV: in the mouth of it between the teeth
INT: ribs mouth between tooth and thus

Daniel 7:8
HEB: [בֵּינֵיהֹון כ] (בֵּֽינֵיהֵ֔ן ק) וּתְלָ֗ת
NAS: came up among them, and three
KJV: there came up among them another
INT: A little came among and three of

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 997
2 Occurrences


bên — 1 Occ.
bê·nê·hên — 1 Occ.

996
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