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בֵּין

𐤁𐤉𐤍

bêyn

H997 preposition

SILEX Entry

Root בין to distinguish, to separate, to understand

Definition

Preposition indicating spatial, temporal, or conceptual position or relationship separating two or more entities: 'between, among'. Used to describe where something or someone is located in relation to others or to convey a state of being divided by or distinct within a group. As a conjunction, it can mark alternatives or options, rendered as 'either...or.'

Semantic Range

between (spatial, temporal, conceptual), among (within a group but with distinctness), separating, distinguishing alternatives (either...or as a conjunction)

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root בין (b-y-n), meaning 'to distinguish, discern, separate, understand'. The Aramaic בֵּין bêyn is a cognate of the Hebrew preposition בֵּין (bên), sharing the same root and basic meaning. In Aramaic usage, it functions primarily as a preposition and, less commonly, as a conjunction.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Aramaic, בֵּין appears chiefly in texts written in Aramaic found within the later books of the Hebrew Bible, such as Daniel and Ezra. Its function mirrors that of the Hebrew equivalent, indicating the interval or space dividing two or more objects, persons, groups, or conceptual items. The prepositional use often appears in lists of nouns, sometimes repeated for emphasis before each item. When used as a conjunction ('either...or'), it marks a choice between alternatives, though this is less frequent in Aramaic than in later stages of the language or in related dialects. English translations often render בֵּין as 'between' or 'among,' which is generally accurate but may not always communicate the nuance of mutual distinction or relational positioning present in some contexts. Unlike some English uses of 'among' that can indicate mingling or association, בֵּין focuses more on distinction or separation within the group context. There is strong typological continuity in meaning and usage between the Aramaic and Hebrew forms, reflecting ongoing traditions of Semitic prepositional structure.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to בֵּין; {between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or}; among, between.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בין (b-y-n) — to perceive, to distinguish, to understand

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1143 בֵּנַיִם the between-two space
H2985 יָבִין like Yavin
H8394 תָּבוּן in discernment
H946 בּוּנָה and Bunah
H995 בִּין I discern

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H997-03 ביני/הון vynyhvn AR/Sp3mp among-them between them 1
H997-01 בֵּ֣ין beyn AR between between 1
H997-02 בֵּֽינֵי/הֵ֔ן beyneyhen AR/Sp3fp between-them between them 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H997-01 Daniel 7:5 בֵּ֣ין beyn AR between between
H997-03 Daniel 7:8 ביני/הון vynyhvn AR/Sp3mp among-them between them
H997-02 Daniel 7:8 בֵּֽינֵי/הֵ֔ן beyneyhen AR/Sp3fp between-them between them
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