Lexical Summary illen: These, those Original Word: אִלֵּין Strong's Exhaustive Concordance the, these (Aramaic) or shorter oillen {il-lane'}; prolonged from 'el; these -- the, these. see HEBREW 'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) prol. from el Definition these NASB Translation these (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs אִלֵּין (אִלֵּן Daniel 2:44; Daniel 6:7) demonstrative pronoun plural these (plural of דְּנָה, q. v.: Palmyrene אלן (Lzb264Eph. i. 343, 345 Cooke26); ᵑ7 אילין; Mandean עלין (NöM 89 f.); Talmud (with emphatic hâ prefixed, WCG:109) הָאִלֵּין: see further below Biblical Hebrew אֵלֶּה, and add Egyptian Aramaic אלו Cooke26); — these, only Daniel: Daniel 2:40 דִּי מְרָעַע כָּלֿ, נִלֵּין, Daniel 2:44 כָּלאִֿלֵּן מַלְכְוָתָא, Daniel 6:3 אֲחַדְֵַּרְמְּנַיָּא אִלֵּין (so Daniel 6:7), Daniel 7:17 אִלֵּיץ חֵיוָתָא. Topical Lexicon Overview of Occurrences אִלֵּין appears five times, all within the Aramaic portion of the Book of Daniel (Daniel 2:40; 2:44; 6:2; 6:6; 7:17). In every instance the term functions as a demonstrative that singles out a specific, identifiable group—kingdoms, officials, or beasts—to which divine revelation, judgment, or action is directed. Literary and Historical Setting Daniel 2–7 was composed in Aramaic to address a Gentile audience living under imperial power. The recurring “these” pinpoints earthly powers situated within real history: Babylon, Medo-Persia, the satrapal bureaucracy of Darius, and the successive empires symbolized by the beasts of chapter 7. By marking off “these” entities, Scripture highlights their finitude in contrast with the eternal kingdom of God. Theological Themes Highlighted by אִלֵּין 1. Specificity of Divine Sovereignty 2. Transience of Human Authority 3. Consistency of Covenant Faithfulness By narrowing attention to “these” kings or officials, the text frames God’s covenant people against definitive adversaries: the golden image’s sponsors (chapter 2), the bureaucrats who scheme against Daniel (chapter 6), and the imperial beasts (chapter 7). Each instance becomes an occasion to reveal the steadfast faithfulness of the LORD toward His servants. Ministry Significance • Preaching Christ’s Kingdom The annihilation of “these kingdoms” (Daniel 2:44) anticipates the unshakeable reign of Jesus Christ, encouraging believers to anchor hope in a kingdom “that will never be destroyed.” • Encouragement under Opposition The plotting of “these administrators and satraps” (Daniel 6:6) mirrors pressures faced by Christians under hostile systems. Daniel’s deliverance assures the church that loyalty to God transcends decrees of “these” earthly authorities. • Discernment in Eschatology Identifying “these beasts” (Daniel 7:17) calls the faithful to discern the character of contemporary powers without fear, confident that God has numbered and limited them. Practical Teaching Points 1. God names and knows every power that threatens His people; none escape His decree. Summary אִלֵּין functions as more than a grammatical pointer; it is a theological spotlight directing attention to specific historical agents whom God will judge, use, or overturn. Each occurrence in Daniel reinforces the message that while “these” kingdoms rise and fall, the Most High rules forever and vindicates those who trust Him. Forms and Transliterations אִלֵּ֔ן אִלֵּ֖ין אִלֵּ֗ין אִלֵּ֣ין אִלֵּין֙ אלין אלן ’il·lên ’illên ilLein ilLenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:40 HEB: מְרָעַ֥ע כָּל־ אִלֵּ֖ין תַּדִּ֥ק וְתֵרֹֽעַ׃ NAS: and break all these in pieces. KJV: all these, shall it break in pieces INT: breaks all these will crush pieces Daniel 2:44 Daniel 6:2 Daniel 6:6 Daniel 7:17 5 Occurrences |