אִגְּרָא
an epistle (as carried by a state courier or postman)
Definition
The word אִגְּרָא (ʼiggᵉrâʼ) refers to a formal, written letter or official document, specifically an epistle carried by a state courier. In the biblical context, it denotes official correspondence within the Persian imperial administration, used for communication between provincial officials and the central government. All three occurrences are found in the Book of Ezra, where it describes the letters sent to Persian kings concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple (Ezra 4:8, 4:11, 5:6). The term emphasizes the authoritative and administrative nature of these documents.
Biblical Usage
This Aramaic word is used exclusively in the post-exilic Book of Ezra, reflecting the Persian administrative context of the time. It appears in the context of official accusations and reports sent to the Persian king. For example, in Ezra 4:8-11, Rehum and Shimshai write an אִגְּרָא to King Artaxerxes opposing the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Similarly, in Ezra 5:6, Tattenai, the governor, sends a letter to King Darius regarding the Temple reconstruction. The usage consistently pertains to formal, governmental correspondence within the Persian Empire.
Etymology
אִגְּרָא is an Aramaic word of Persian origin, borrowed into the biblical text during the post-exilic period when Aramaic was the lingua franca of the Persian Empire. It is related to the Old Persian word for 'letter' or 'message,' reflecting the advanced postal and administrative systems of the Persian government. This loanword illustrates the cultural and linguistic influence of the Persian Empire on the Jewish community after the exile.
Semantic Range
While אִגְּרָא itself is an administrative term, its use in Ezra highlights God's sovereignty over earthly empires and their bureaucratic processes. The letters, though intended to hinder God's work, ultimately become part of the historical record that demonstrates how God used Persian decrees to fulfill His purposes in restoring Jerusalem (e.g., Ezra 6:1-12). Understanding this term enriches reading by showing how divine providence works through secular documents and human governance.
In the Persian Empire, an אִגְּרָא was part of an efficient royal courier system (like the 'angarium') that allowed rapid communication across vast distances. These letters were official state documents, often written on parchment or papyrus, sealed, and delivered by designated messengers. This system contrasts with earlier, more informal methods of communication in Israel and reflects the highly organized imperial administration that governed Judah during the post-exilic period.
סֵפֶר (sēpher, H5612) — A broader Hebrew term for any written document, book, or scroll, not limited to official letters. כְּתָב (kᵉthāḇ, H3791) — Refers generally to a writing or inscription, which can include letters but also legal documents or engraved texts.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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