נְכַס
Definition
נְכַס is an Aramaic noun meaning 'goods,' 'property,' or 'possessions.' It refers to tangible assets or wealth, specifically in the context of royal or temple resources. In Ezra 6:8, it denotes the goods or expenses to be paid from the royal treasury for the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple. In Ezra 7:26, it refers to property that can be confiscated as a penalty for disobedience to the king's decree. Both occurrences emphasize material wealth under imperial control.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only twice in the Old Testament, both in the Aramaic portions of Ezra (Ezra 6:8; 7:26). It is used in official, administrative contexts related to Persian imperial decrees concerning the temple in Jerusalem. In Ezra 6:8, it specifies resources allocated from the king's goods for construction, while in Ezra 7:26, it refers to property subject to confiscation as a legal penalty. The usage consistently ties material possessions to royal authority and temple service.
Etymology
נְכַס is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew noun נֶכֶס (H5233), which also means 'goods' or 'property.' Both words derive from a common Semitic root conveying the idea of possession or acquisition. The Aramaic form appears specifically in the post-exilic biblical texts influenced by the imperial administrative language of the Persian period.
Semantic Range
This word highlights God's providence through secular authorities, as seen in Ezra 6:8 where Persian resources fund God's temple. It also underscores the seriousness of obedience to divine law, as Ezra 7:26 ties property confiscation to disobedience, reflecting the intersection of divine command and civil consequence in the restored community.
In the Persian Empire, 'goods' (נְכַס) often referred to state-controlled wealth or tribute. Its use in Ezra reflects the imperial administrative system, where the king's treasury funded religious projects to maintain order and loyalty. This differs from modern private property concepts, as these goods were ultimately at the king's disposal for political and religious purposes.
נֶכֶס (nekes, H5233) — The Hebrew equivalent, used in similar contexts for property or goods. רְכוּשׁ (rekush, H7399) — A more general term for possessions or wealth, not limited to Aramaic. הוֹן (hon, H1952) — Wealth or riches, often emphasizing abundance rather than specific goods.
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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