3983. memar
Lexical Summary
memar: Bitterness, bitterness of spirit

Original Word: מֵאמַר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: me'mar
Pronunciation: may-mar
Phonetic Spelling: (may-mar')
NASB: command, request
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H3982 (מַאֲמַר - command)]

1. appointment, word

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
appointment, word

(Aramaic) corresponding to ma'amar -- appointment, word.

see HEBREW ma'amar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to maamar
Definition
a word
NASB Translation
command (1), request (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
מֵאמַר noun [masculine] word; — construct Daniel 4:14; Ezra 6:9.

Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range and Conceptual Nuance

מֵאמַר (meʾamar) identifies a spoken or written word invested with binding authority—a formal statement that establishes what must come to pass. While ordinary speech in Scripture can be fleeting, a מֵאמַר carries the force of decree: once uttered, events align to fulfill it. In the ancient Near Eastern milieu, such a pronouncement could come from a king, a governing official, or, in heavenly realms, from angelic beings commissioned by God.

Occurrences and Narrative Settings

Ezra 6:9 situates מֵאמַר in the Persian imperial court. King Darius endorses the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple and orders that animals, grain, and oil be supplied “according to the request of the priests in Jerusalem—must be given to them daily without fail”. The priests’ requests are treated as an authoritative decree; Persian resources flow so that covenant worship may resume.

Daniel 4:17 lifts the word into the throne room of heaven: “This sentence is by decree of the watchers; this decision is by the word of the holy ones, so that the living may know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men”. Divine emissaries (“watchers,” “holy ones”) issue a ruling that humbles King Nebuchadnezzar, displaying God’s sovereignty over earthly empires.

Historical Backdrop

Both occurrences fall within the Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel, books written to comfort Israel during foreign domination. In each instance the decisive “word” originates outside Israel’s own political structures—first Persian, then angelic—but always operates to advance covenant promises. The exile had raised pressing questions about whether God’s plans had failed; these texts answer with a resounding “no.” Foreign edicts and celestial decrees alike are harnessed to restore worship and to discipline prideful rulers, proving that no realm lies beyond Yahweh’s governance.

Theological Motifs

1. Divine Sovereignty: The Most High directs both imperial policies (Ezra) and supernatural councils (Daniel). A single authoritative word is enough to redirect national treasuries or topple a proud monarch.
2. Providence Through Outsiders: God employs Gentile kings (Ezra) and angelic beings (Daniel) to secure His ends, foreshadowing the gospel’s reach to the nations.
3. Worship Centrality: Ezra’s decree supplies everything necessary for continual sacrifice, underscoring that right worship lies at the heart of covenant life.
4. Humbling of Human Power: Daniel’s narrative warns that royal pride is no match for the decree issued from heaven.

Intertextual Echoes

The concept aligns with Psalm 33:9—“For He spoke, and it came to be.” It anticipates Isaiah 55:11, where God’s “word” accomplishes what He desires. In the New Testament, Jesus embodies the ultimate divine decree: “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1), whose incarnation definitively reveals and enacts the Father’s will.

Practical Ministry Insights

• Leaders: Worldly authority is contingent; faithful stewardship requires submission to the higher decree of God.
• Worship Teams: Provision for God’s house is a priority in heaven; practical needs for corporate worship merit bold, faith-filled prayer.
• Intercessors: Daniel’s heavenly courtroom imagery encourages confident petitioning before the throne, trusting that God still issues decisive words into earthly affairs.

Christological Trajectory

As Daniel’s watchers promulgate the decree that humbles Nebuchadnezzar, so the Father declares over His Son, “You are My beloved Son” (Luke 3:22). The resurrection stands as the climactic מֵאמַר—God’s binding verdict that Jesus is Lord (Romans 1:4). Every lesser decree ultimately bends toward this supreme proclamation.

Application for the Church

The church lives under the assurance that God’s authoritative word still governs history. In times of political flux or cultural exile, believers may rest in the truth that one decree from the throne can reopen doors for gospel witness, supply resources for ministry, and humble any power that resists His purposes.

Forms and Transliterations
וּמֵאמַ֥ר ומאמר כְּמֵאמַ֨ר כמאמר kə·mê·mar kemeMar kəmêmar ū·mê·mar umeMar ūmêmar
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Ezra 6:9
HEB: חֲמַ֣ר וּמְשַׁ֗ח כְּמֵאמַ֨ר כָּהֲנַיָּ֤א דִי־
NAS: in Jerusalem request, [it] is to be given
KJV: and oil, according to the appointment of the priests
INT: wine and anointing request as the priests in

Daniel 4:17
HEB: עִירִין֙ פִּתְגָמָ֔א וּמֵאמַ֥ר קַדִּישִׁ֖ין שְׁאֵֽלְתָ֑א
NAS: And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
KJV: and the demand by the word of the holy ones:
INT: of the watchers sentence command of the holy and the decision

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3983
2 Occurrences


kə·mê·mar — 1 Occ.
ū·mê·mar — 1 Occ.

3982
Top of Page
Top of Page