Original Word: תִּנְיָן
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: tinyan
Pronunciation: tin-YAHN
Phonetic Spelling: (tin-yawn')
KJV: second
NASB: second
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H8147 (שְׁנַיִם שְׁתּתַּיִם - two)]

1. second

second

(Aramaic) corresponding to shnayim; second -- second.

see HEBREW shnayim

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to shenayim
Definition
second (an ord. number)
NASB Translation
second (1).

[תִּנְיָן] adjective second; — feminine singular תִּנְיָנָה (K^{§ 66, 1}) Daniel 7:5.

Canonical Occurrence

Daniel 7:5 records the lone use of תִּנְיָן, describing “another beast, a second one, that looked like a bear” (Berean Standard Bible). The word marks the chronological position of the creature that follows the first lion-like beast in Daniel’s night vision.

Prophetic Framework

Daniel’s four beasts parallel the four metals of the earlier statue dream (Daniel 2:31-45). The “second” beast, introduced with תִּנְיָן, serves as the next link in the unfolding sequence of world empires sovereignly ordered by God. The ordinal nuance underscores the measured, divinely supervised progression from empire to empire until the everlasting kingdom of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14).

Historical Identification

Most conservative interpreters recognize the bear-like beast as the Medo-Persian Empire:
• Chronological Fit – Medo-Persia immediately followed Babylon historically (Daniel 5:30-31).
• Symbolic Details – The bear’s uneven stance reflects the dual yet uneven nature of the Median and Persian partnership (cf. Daniel 8:3). The three ribs likely symbolize Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt—territories devoured by Persian expansion.

Thus תִּנְיָן quietly affirms that the prophetic sequence is anchored in real history, demonstrating Scripture’s accuracy centuries in advance.

Theological Significance

1. God’s Sovereignty over Nations – The simple adjective “second” sets the empire within a divine timetable (Isaiah 46:9-10).
2. Assurance of Ultimate Justice – Each beast, though ruthless, is temporary. The ordinal marker reminds readers that tyrannical kingdoms give way to the reign of Christ (Revelation 11:15).
3. Continuity of Revelation – The second beast links Daniel 2 and 7, showing the consistency of God’s message despite differing symbols.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Preaching: Emphasize that changing political landscapes are foreknown by God; believers can rest in His governance (Psalm 2:1-6).
• Discipleship: Use Daniel’s chronology to strengthen confidence in biblical prophecy, encouraging personal holiness while “awaiting the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).
• Missions: The rise and fall of empires highlights the urgency of gospel proclamation before the next divine “turn” in history (Mark 13:10).

Connections with New Testament Revelation

Revelation 13:2 blends bear, lion, and leopard imagery, showing John’s vision building on Daniel’s. The ordinal idea behind תִּנְיָן supports the composite symbolism, implying successive yet interconnected manifestations of worldly power until Christ’s return.

Related Scriptural Themes

1. Successive Kingdoms – Daniel 2:39; Daniel 8:20-22.
2. God Raising and Removing Kings – 1 Samuel 2:7; Daniel 4:17.
3. Certainty of Prophecy – 2 Peter 1:19.

תִנְיָנָ֜ה תנינה ṯin·yā·nāh tinyaNah ṯinyānāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts