Lexical Summary tin: Mud, Clay Original Word: טִין Strong's Exhaustive Concordance miry (Aramaic) perhaps, by interchange, for a word corresponding to tiyt; clay -- miry. see HEBREW tiyt NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) perhaps corresponding to tit Definition clay NASB Translation common (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [טִין] noun [masculine] clay (ᵑ7 id.; Late Hebrew טִינָה, Syriac  , Arabic  (yet see Frä8)); — emphatic חֲסַף טִינָא Daniel 2:41,43. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery טִין designates common clay or mud. In Scripture it serves as an image of that which is malleable, fragile, and earth-bound, especially when contrasted with iron, stone, or divine sovereignty. Biblical Occurrences Both occurrences lie in Daniel 2, where Nebuchadnezzar’s dream statue culminates in “its feet partly of iron and partly of clay” (Daniel 2:41). Daniel explains that the divided material represents “a divided kingdom… some of the strength of iron will be in it… yet it will be brittle” (Daniel 2:41). Verse 43 adds, “As you saw the iron mixed with clay, so the people will mix with one another but will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay.” Here טִין underscores instability and impermanence in contrast to the stone that becomes “a kingdom that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44). Historical Setting Daniel interpreted the dream in Babylon during the sixth century B.C. The statue’s materials symbolize successive world empires culminating in a final, internally divided realm—strong like iron in some respects yet weak like clay. Ancient Mesopotamian culture routinely employed sun-dried clay bricks alongside forged iron tools, making the contrast vivid to Nebuchadnezzar’s court. Theological Themes 1. Transient Human Power: Clay evokes the creation narrative where humanity is formed “from the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7). World empires, though expansive, remain creaturely and perishable. Related Biblical Motifs • Potter and clay (Jeremiah 18:1-10; Romans 9:20-21) emphasize God’s right to shape nations. Prophetic Significance Many interpreters see the iron-clay feet as eschatological, portraying a future confederation both strong and fragile that precedes Christ’s return. Regardless of specific timing, the text affirms that every human kingdom—no matter how technologically advanced (iron) or populous (clay)—will yield to God’s unshakeable reign. Practical Ministry Application • Discernment: Leaders and believers alike must recognize the limitations of political and cultural alliances. Archaeological Note Excavations in Mesopotamia reveal abundant clay bricks stamped with royal inscriptions beside iron weapons. The everyday familiarity of these materials made Daniel’s symbolism immediately intelligible: durability juxtaposed with crumble-prone clay. Devotional Reflection Meditating on טִין invites worshippers to compare their own plans with the imperishable kingdom of God. As clay can be reshaped by the Potter, so lives surrendered to Christ gain purpose beyond earthly fragility. Forms and Transliterations טִינָ֔א טִינָֽא׃ טינא טינא׃ ṭî·nā tiNa ṭînāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:41 HEB: מְעָרַ֖ב בַּחֲסַ֥ף טִינָֽא׃ NAS: the iron mixed with common clay. KJV: the iron mixed with miry clay. INT: mixed clay common Daniel 2:43 2 Occurrences |
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