פַּרְשֶׁגֶן

פַּרְשֶׁגֶן

Definition

פַּרְשֶׁגֶן is an Aramaic noun meaning a 'copy' or 'transcript' of an official document. In the biblical context, it specifically refers to a written copy of a letter or decree, often used in administrative or legal correspondence. This term appears exclusively in the Book of Ezra, where it denotes the official copies of letters sent between Persian officials and the king regarding the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Ezra 4:11, 4:23, 5:6). The word emphasizes the formal, recorded nature of these communications within the imperial bureaucracy.

Biblical Usage

This word is used three times in the Old Testament, all within the Aramaic sections of the Book of Ezra. It consistently describes an official copy of a letter in the context of Persian administrative correspondence. In Ezra 4:11 and 5:6, it refers to the copy of a letter sent to the king, while in Ezra 4:23, it specifies the copy of King Artaxerxes' decree that was read before the local officials, leading them to forcibly stop the rebuilding work in Jerusalem.

Etymology

פַּרְשֶׁגֶן is an Aramaic loanword used in the Hebrew Bible, corresponding to the Hebrew פַּרְשֶׁגֶן (H6572). It is derived from Old Persian, reflecting the administrative language of the Persian Empire. The word entered Biblical Aramaic through contact with Persian bureaucracy, specifically denoting a written copy or transcript of an official document.

Semantic Range

This word highlights God's sovereignty working through secular political systems and their detailed record-keeping. The preservation of these official 'copies' in Scripture underscores the historical reliability of the biblical account of the Jews' return from exile. It shows how even mundane administrative documents are part of God's providential oversight, as these letters directly impacted the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple, key events in redemptive history. In the Persian Empire, official correspondence was meticulously documented and copied for administrative purposes. פַּרְשֶׁגֶן reflects this bureaucratic practice, where important decrees and letters were preserved in multiple copies for verification and record-keeping. Understanding this term illuminates the historical setting of Ezra, showing how Jewish community affairs were subject to and documented within the larger imperial system. כְּתָב (ketav, H3791) — a general term for writing or document, not specifically a copy. סֵפֶר (sepher, H5612) — a book or scroll, often a complete document rather than a transcript. מִכְתָּב (mikhtav, H4385) — a writing or letter, but not necessarily a duplicate copy.

Word Details