Bible Word Study
גִּזְבָּר
gizbâr · null
גִּזְבָּר
Definition
גִּזְבָּר (gizbâr) is an Aramaic noun meaning 'treasurer' or 'financial officer.' It refers specifically to a royal official entrusted with managing the treasury of the Persian Empire. In its single biblical occurrence, Ezra 7:21, King Artaxerxes commands his treasurers (גִּזְבָּרַיָּא, the plural form) to provide silver, wheat, wine, and oil for the temple service in Jerusalem. The role involved administrative oversight and disbursement of state resources for religious and civil projects under imperial authority.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Ezra 7:21, within an official Aramaic document issued by the Persian king. It is used in a royal decree context, specifically addressing the treasurers of the province 'Beyond the River' (the Trans-Euphrates satrapy) to fund the Jerusalem temple. The usage highlights the administrative structure of the Persian Empire and its support for the Jewish community's worship.
Etymology
Derived from Aramaic, גִּזְבָּר (gizbâr) corresponds to the Hebrew גִּזְבָּר (H1489), which also means 'treasurer.' The root is likely related to Persian, reflecting loanword adoption during the exile period. It denotes one who guards or manages treasure (gazā), emphasizing fiscal responsibility in a governmental context.
Semantic Range
This term underscores God's providence working through secular authorities, as seen in Ezra 7:21, where Persian treasurers facilitate temple worship. It illustrates how God can use foreign empires and their administrative systems to fulfill His purposes, supporting the restoration of Israel. Understanding this role enriches reading by highlighting the historical and political backdrop of God's faithfulness. In the Persian Empire, a גִּזְבָּר was a high-ranking financial official responsible for provincial treasuries, managing taxes, tributes, and royal expenditures. This reflects the centralized bureaucracy of the Achaemenid period, where such officers ensured economic stability and imperial control. The role differed from modern treasurers by its direct tie to royal decree and religious patronage. אוֹצָר (ʼôtsâr, H214) — general term for 'treasure' or 'storehouse,' not the officer. סֹכֵן (sôkēn, H5532) — 'steward' or 'attendant,' with broader administrative duties.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]