Lexical Summary ach: brothers Original Word: אַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance brother (Aramaic) corresponding to 'ach -- brother. see HEBREW 'ach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to ach Definition a brother NASB Translation brothers (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אַח] noun masculine brother; — plural suffix אחיך Kt (? יִַ֯֫ךְ K§ 53, 2, Anm. b)), אֶחָךְ Qr (K§ 63) Ezra 7:18 thy brethren, i.e. fellows, associates. [אַחֲוָיָה] see [חוה]. [אֲחִידָה] see חוד. Topical Lexicon Canonical Context Ezra 7:18 is the sole occurrence of אַח. King Artaxerxes authorizes Ezra and the returning exiles to use any remaining silver and gold freely: “Whatever seems good to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, do it according to the will of your God” (Ezra 7:18). The word marks the surplus that is to be stored and later deployed for God-honoring purposes. Historical Setting Ezra arrives in Jerusalem around 458 BC under Persian sanction, carrying significant resources for Temple worship. After mandatory sacrifices (Ezra 7:17), any leftover wealth is gathered into a designated reserve. In the Ancient Near East, such treasuries existed in royal palaces and temples; here, the Persian emperor entrusts one to covenant leaders rather than to imperial officers. This underscores renewed trust in Israel’s priestly administration after exile. Theology of Provision and Stewardship 1. God’s Sovereign Supply. The store underscores divine provision through even pagan rulers (see Proverbs 21:1; Isaiah 45:4-6). Ministry Implications • Churches may legitimately create designated reserves when those funds remain clearly directed toward gospel work and mercy ministries. Christological Foreshadowing The stored treasure supports worship that foreshadows Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11-12). Just as the reserve enabled continual offerings, so Christ provides inexhaustible grace for the Church’s ongoing priestly ministry (1 Peter 2:5). Related References and Themes Genesis 41:48; Deuteronomy 28:12; 2 Chronicles 31:11-12; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Summary אַח signifies a singular yet vivid picture of stored provision dedicated to God’s purposes. It invites believers to plan wisely, safeguard resources righteously, and release them energetically for worship, relief, and mission—confident that the true treasury of the Church is Christ Himself (Colossians 2:3). Forms and Transliterations אֶחָ֜ךְ אחך ’e·ḥāḵ ’eḥāḵ eChachLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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