The root ז־מ־ן does not occur as a verb in the Hebrew Bible, but it is active in Post-Biblical Hebrew, especially in Rabbinic and Modern Hebrew, where the verb זִמֵּן (Piel binyan) means:
- To appoint (a time or event)
- To prepare or arrange (something ahead of time)
- To invite (especially in modern usage)
The related noun זְמַן (“time” or “appointed time”) is biblical and frequently used in books like Daniel and Ecclesiastes. The verb form, however, is a development in later Hebrew.
Piel Binyan Conjugation of זִמֵּן (“to appoint, prepare, invite”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | זִמַּנְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | זִמַּנְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | זִמַּנְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | זִמֵּן |
| 3rd person feminine singular | זִמְּנָה |
| 1st person plural | זִמַּנּוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | זִמַּנְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | זִמַּנְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | זִמְּנוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | מְזַמֵּן |
| Feminine singular | מְזַמֶּנֶת |
| Masculine plural | מְזַמְּנִים |
| Feminine plural | מְזַמְּנוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֲזַמֵּן |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תְּזַמֵּן |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תְּזַמְּנִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יְזַמֵּן |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תְּזַמֵּן |
| 1st person plural | נְזַמֵּן |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תְּזַמְּנוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תְּזַמֵּנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יְזַמְּנוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | זַמֵּן |
| 2nd person feminine singular | זַמְּנִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | זַמְּנוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | זַמֵּנָה |
Usage in Later Hebrew
- Mishnah Berakhot 9:3 – הַמְזַמֵּן עַל הַכּוֹס
“The one who recites the blessing (prepares) over the goblet.” — from the Piel stem. - Modern Hebrew – הוּא זִמֵּן אוֹתִי לְסְעוּדָה
“He invited me to a meal.” — common contemporary use.
Summary
Though the root ז־מ־ן is not used as a verb in biblical Hebrew, the Piel verb זִמֵּן becomes widespread in Rabbinic and Modern Hebrew with the meanings “to prepare,” “to appoint,” or “to invite.” It is related to the biblical noun זְמַן (“appointed time”) and plays a key role in Jewish liturgy and daily language.
