פִּתְגָּם
a (judicial) sentence
Definition
The Hebrew noun פִּתְגָּם (pithgâm) refers to an authoritative decree or judicial sentence, often issued by a person in power. In Esther 1:20, it describes a royal decree from King Ahasuerus that is proclaimed throughout his empire. In Ecclesiastes 8:11, the word carries a sense of a judicial sentence or verdict, specifically the delayed execution of a sentence against evil deeds. In both uses, it conveys the idea of an official, binding pronouncement.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in late biblical books (Esther and Ecclesiastes) that reflect Persian cultural influence. In Esther 1:20, it is used in the context of a royal edict issued by the Persian king. In Ecclesiastes 8:11, it is used more abstractly for a judicial sentence or verdict from a governing authority. The pattern shows it is a specialized term for an official pronouncement from a seat of power.
Etymology
The word פִּתְגָּם (pithgâm) is a loanword from Old Persian *patigāma-, meaning 'message, word, command.' It entered Biblical Hebrew during the post-exilic period, reflecting the Persian administrative and legal influence on Jewish life. This foreign origin explains its limited and specific usage in the biblical text.
Semantic Range
This word highlights the theme of divine and human authority. While used for human decrees, it can point readers to reflect on the ultimate authority of God's decrees. Understanding its Persian origin and specific use for official pronouncements enriches reading by showing how biblical authors used contemporary language to discuss concepts of law, justice, and sovereign proclamation.
In its original setting, this word would have been recognized as a Persian administrative term. Its use in Esther 1:20 directly mirrors the imperial decree system of the Persian Empire. For the original audience, it conveyed the weight and irrevocable nature of a royal command, a concept familiar under Persian rule, which differed from earlier Israelite judicial language.
דָּבָר (davar, H1697) — a general term for 'word, matter, thing'. חֹק (choq, H2706) — a statute or enacted law, often with a sense of being fixed or decreed. מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, H4941) — judgment, justice, or a legal case, broader than a specific sentence.
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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