Original Word: סְגַן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: cgan
Pronunciation: seh-GAHN
Phonetic Spelling: (seg-an')
Definition: Deputy, Governor, Official
Meaning: a prefect of a, province

governor

(Aramaic) corresponding to cagan -- governor.

see HEBREW cagan

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to sagan
Definition
a prefect
NASB Translation
prefect (1), prefects (4).

[סְגַן] noun masculine perfect (ᵑ7 (rare), Egyptian Aramaic S-C^{D 13}; see Biblical Hebrew (late), Assyrian loan-word) — plural absolute סִגְנִין Daniel 2:48; emphatic סִגְנַיָּא Daniel 3:2,3,27; Daniel 6:8.

Word Origin: Derived from a root corresponding to the Hebrew סָגַן (sagan), which means to be a deputy or prefect.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • While there is no direct Greek equivalent for סְגַן, the concept of a prefect or governor can be related to Greek terms such as ἡγεμών (hēgemōn, Strong's Greek 2232), which means a leader or governor, and ἀρχων (archōn, Strong's Greek 758), meaning a ruler or chief. These terms similarly denote positions of authority and governance within a political or administrative structure.

Usage: The term סְגַן is used in the context of governance and administration, specifically referring to officials who hold authority over provinces or regions. It appears in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Daniel and Ezra.

Context: The term סְגַן (segan) is an Aramaic word found in the context of the Babylonian and Persian administrative systems. It denotes a high-ranking official or governor, often translated as "prefect" in English. In the biblical narrative, these officials played significant roles in the governance and administration of the provinces under the rule of empires such as Babylon and Persia.

In the book of Daniel, סְגַן is used to describe the officials who were summoned by King Nebuchadnezzar to attend the dedication of the golden image he had set up (Daniel 3:2-3, BSB). These prefects were part of the hierarchical structure of authority, responsible for maintaining order and implementing the king's decrees within their respective regions.

Similarly, in the book of Ezra, the term is used to describe the officials who opposed the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, highlighting their role in enforcing the policies of the ruling empire (Ezra 4:9, BSB).

The use of סְגַן in these contexts underscores the complex administrative systems of ancient Near Eastern empires and the significant authority vested in these officials. Their presence in the biblical text reflects the historical realities of Jewish life under foreign rule and the interactions between the Jewish community and imperial authorities.

סִגְנִ֔ין סִגְנַיָּ֣א סִגְנַיָּ֤א סגניא סגנין siḡ·nay·yā siḡ·nîn signaiYa siḡnayyā sigNin siḡnînInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts