תִּרְגַּם
to transfer, i.e. translate
Definition
The Hebrew verb תִּרְגַּם (tirgam) means to translate or interpret from one language to another. It specifically refers to the act of transferring the meaning of a text or speech into a different language, as seen in its sole biblical occurrence in Ezra 4:7. In this context, it describes the written translation of a letter of accusation against Jerusalem from Aramaic into the local language (likely Hebrew or a related tongue) for the Persian officials. The term carries the sense of making a document comprehensible to a new audience through linguistic conversion.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the Old Testament, in Ezra 4:7. It appears in a historical narrative describing the opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls during the Persian period. The context is administrative: a letter written in Aramaic is translated (וְכָתְב֙ הַנִּשְׁתְּוָן֙ כָּת֣וּב אֲרָמִ֔ית וּמְתֻרְגָּ֖ם אֲרָמִֽית) for the Persian king's officials. The usage highlights a formal, written translation process in a cross-cultural, imperial setting, rather than spontaneous oral interpretation.
Etymology
תִּרְגַּם is a denominative verb derived from the root רָגַם (ragam, H7275), which means 'to stone' or 'to throw stones.' The semantic connection likely comes from the idea of 'throwing over' or 'transferring' meaning from one language to another, much like casting something across a barrier. This root is also related to the noun תַּרְגּוּם (targum), which later became the standard term for an Aramaic translation or paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Semantic Range
While appearing only once, this word is theologically significant as it provides the etymological basis for 'Targum,' the important Aramaic translations and interpretations of the Hebrew Bible used in Jewish synagogues after the exile. It underscores God's concern for His word to be understood by His people, even as they lived in a multilingual empire (Ezra 4:7). Understanding this term enriches our view of scripture transmission, showing that translation was part of Israel's life from the post-exilic period, facilitating access to divine communication across language barriers.
In the cultural context of Ezra, translation was a vital administrative and religious tool within the Persian Empire, which governed many diverse language groups. The act of translating the Aramaic letter reflects the imperial bureaucracy's standard practice to ensure clear communication. This differs from a modern casual understanding of translation; it was an official, documented act with legal and political implications, intended for royal officials who may not have been fluent in Aramaic.
פָּתַר (pathar, H6622) — to interpret dreams or riddles, not general translation; בָּאַר (ba'ar, H874) — to make plain or explain, often used for clarifying the law.
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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