Lexical Summary
min: from, out of, by, since, than
Original Word: מִן
Part of Speech: Preposition
Transliteration: min
Pronunciation: min
Phonetic Spelling: (min)
NASB: partly, according, because, more than, part, than
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H4480 (מִן מִנִּי מִנֵּי - than)]
1. according, after, + because, + before, by, for, from, X him, X more than, (out) of, part, since, X these, to, upon, + when
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
according, after, because, before, by, for, from, him,
(Aramaic) corresponding to min -- according, after, + because, + before, by, for, from, X him, X more than, (out) of, part, since, X these, to, upon, + when.
see HEBREW min
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to
minDefinitionfrom, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than
NASB Translationaccording (2), after* (1), among* (1), because (2), because* (2), before* (3), besides* (2), commanded* (1), more than (1), part (1), partly (6), some* (1), soon* (1), surely* (1), than (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Biblical Hebrew and General Aramaic
id.); — rarely assimilated, as in Hebrew, see
Daniel 6:5 ,
Ezra 5:11;
Ezra 6:14; suffix , 3masculine , feminine
Daniel 2:42;
Daniel 7:24; 3masculine plural (so Palmyrene Tariff ii. a 34; Nabataean, Egyptian Aramaic , Cooke
No. 89. 6, S-C
Pap. A 10)
Daniel 2:33 (twice in verse);
Daniel 2:41 (twice in verse);
Daniel 2:42 (twice in verse) Kt (Qr each time feminine ),
Daniel 6:3 (twice in verse); —
from, Daniel 4:10; Daniel 4:11; Daniel 4:28; Daniel 7:4 +, Ezra 6:6; figurative on the side or part of (compare Biblical Hebrew ) Daniel 6:5 .
out of, Daniel 3:15,26; Daniel 5:2; Daniel 7:3, etc.
(coming) from Daniel 2:35, away from, Daniel 2:45; Daniel 4:11; Daniel 4:22; Daniel 4:28; Jeremiah 10:11.
of a person, Daniel 2:16,49 +; Ezra 7:26; to deliver from Daniel 6:21.
of the source (Biblical Hebrew
), from Daniel 4:9; or author (ib.
), = by me is a decree made, Daniel 3:29; Daniel 4:3 (Dan 6:27 ), Ezra 4:19 +, compare Ezra 5:17; = on my part Daniel 2:5,8 (see ).
of the immediate cause, as a result of, by, Daniel 4:22 (= Daniel 4:12; Daniel 4:20), Daniel 4:30; Daniel 5:21: so with a verb of fearing Daniel 5:19.
of the remoter cause, by reason of (Biblical Hebrew ), Daniel 5:19 , Daniel 7:11; so , see
of the norm (compare Biblical Hebrew
) = at, according to, Ezra 6:14 at the decree of, etc., Ezra 7:23; Daniel 2:8 according to certainty, Daniel 2:47 .
(Biblical Hebrew
), Daniel 6:3 , Daniel 7:8,16; Daniel 2:25; Daniel 5:13; (some) of Daniel 2:41 ; some . . . others of them Daniel 2:33,41,42a; so Daniel 2:42b .
, from, Daniel 2:20 (), Ezra 4:15,19; see also and
in comparisons, different from Daniel 7:3,7,19,23,24, beyond, more than Daniel 2:30; Daniel 2:39; Daniel 6:30; Daniel 7:20 end; Daniel 4:13 let his heart be changed away from man's (Biblical Hebrew
b; Isaiah 52:14).
compounds: — see , , [], .
see . below
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Function in Biblical Aramaicמִן functions as the primary Aramaic preposition of separation, source, agency, comparison, and partitive distinction. Whether marking deliverance “from” danger, judgment “from” heaven, or wisdom “from” God, the term consistently highlights the movement or distinction that God Himself ordains. In Daniel and Ezra it frames every major transition—political decrees emanate from kings, commands arise from prophets, and salvation proceeds from the Most High. Its syntactic versatility allows it to govern nouns, pronouns, clauses, and even infinitives, but its theological utility lies in underscoring that every true origin, rescue, or distinction ultimately derives from the Lord.
Distribution in Scripture
Approximately 107 occurrences concentrate in the Aramaic portions of Ezra (chapters 4–7) and Daniel (chapters 2–7), with a solitary occurrence in Jeremiah 10:11. Ezra uses the preposition chiefly in imperial correspondence, while Daniel embodies it in narratives and visions. Together they span the exilic and early–post-exilic period, demonstrating God’s sovereignty over Gentile empires and His care for the covenant community even while scattered “from” Zion.
Key Contexts and Theological Themes
1. Deliverance from Peril
• Daniel 6:27: “He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
The preposition magnifies divine intervention: God removes His servant out of hostile circumstances, illustrating both His immanence and supremacy over natural law.
2. Authority from God versus Authority from Men
• Daniel 2:37: “You, O king, are a king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and strength and glory.”
Dominion flows “from” God, nullifying any notion that imperial power is self-generated. The term secures a theology of delegated authority that foreshadows Romans 13:1.
3. Separation from Idolatry
• Ezra 6:21: “So the Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to seek the LORD, the God of Israel.”
Exiles distinguish themselves “from” the surrounding nations, echoing Exodus language and calling the post-exilic community to holiness.
4. Revelation from Heaven
• Daniel 2:19: “During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and Daniel praised the God of heaven.”
Wisdom originates “from” God, contrasting with the impotence of Babylonian magicians. The pattern anticipates the coming of Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom.”
5. Comparison and Superlative Praise
• Daniel 3:29: “For there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.”
מִן marks an exclusive comparison—no deity rivals the Lord. This accentuates monotheism amidst pluralistic cultures.
Representative Passages
Ezra 4:11; 4:16; 4:21; 5:12; 6:12; 7:14
Daniel 2:12-45; 3:22-29; 4:17; 5:21; 6:14-27; 7:2-18
Jeremiah 10:11
These references cover imperial edicts, fiery trials, apocalyptic visions, and covenant celebrations, all demonstrating movements, origins, or distinctions marked by מִן.
Intertextual Echoes with the Hebrew מִן
Though Aramaic and Hebrew are distinct, their shared preposition bridges canonical testimony. The same God who brings Israel “out from” Egypt (Exodus 12:17) now delivers exiles “from” lions (Daniel 6:27). This continuity reinforces the unified narrative of redemption.
Messianic and Eschatological Significance
Daniel’s visions promise a kingdom “that will never be destroyed” and that “will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end” (Daniel 2:44). The stone cut “not by human hands” comes “from” God alone, prefiguring Jesus Christ, whose authority likewise is not derived “from man but from God” (compare Galatians 1:1).
Practical Ministry Implications
1. Assurance of Providence: Believers today draw comfort that deliverance still comes “from” the Lord.
2. Call to Holiness: Separation “from” worldly defilement remains vital for corporate worship.
3. Humble Leadership: Every role of authority is received “from” God, cultivating accountability and service.
4. Confident Witness: The exclusivity signaled by מִן emboldens proclamation that salvation is found in Christ alone.
Christological Foreshadowing
Every instance in Daniel where salvation comes “from” the Lord anticipates the ultimate deliverance achieved by Jesus. Just as Daniel was lifted “from” the den, Christ is raised “from” the grave, inaugurating the eternal kingdom portrayed in Daniel 7.
Through its modest form, מִן anchors profound truths: origins in God, separations unto holiness, and redemptions that point to Messiah.
Forms and Transliterations
וּ֠מִנִּי וּמִן־ וּמִנִּי֙ וּמִנִּי֮ וּמִנֵּ֖הּ וּמִנַּ֖הּ ומן־ ומנה ומני מִן־ מִנְּה֑וֹן מִנְּהוֹן֙ מִנִּ֖י מִנִּ֣י מִנִּ֥י מִנִּי֮ מִנֵּ֑הּ מִנֵּ֖הּ מִנֵּֽהּ׃ מִנַּהּ֙ מִנָּ֑ךְ מִנָּ֔ךְ מִנָּ֣ךְ מִנָּֽךְ׃ מִנְּהֵ֞ן מִנְּהֵ֥ין מִנְּהֵין֙ מן־ מנה מנה׃ מנהון מנהין מנהן מני מנך מנך׃ min min- min·nah min·nāḵ min·nə·hên min·nə·hō·wn min·nêh min·nî minNach minnah minnāḵ minNeh minnêh minneHein minneHen minnəhên minnehOn minnəhōwn minNi minnî ū·min- ū·min·nah ū·min·nêh ū·min·nî umin ūmin- uminNah ūminnah uminNeh ūminnêh uminNi ūminnî
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