Lexical Summary sephar: books, book Original Word: סְפַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance book, roll (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to caphar; a book -- book, roll. see HEBREW caphar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to sepher Definition a book NASB Translation archives* (1), book (1), books (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs סְפַר noun masculineDaniel 7:10 book (see Biblical Hebrew סֵ֫פֶר); — construct דָּכְרָנַיָּא ׳ס Ezra 4:15 (twice in verse), משֶׁה ׳ס Ezra 6:18; plural absolute סִפְרִין Daniel 7:10 books (of records, see Dr); emphatic בֵּית סִפְרַיָּא Ezra 6:1 house of records. Topical Lexicon Scope and Meaning The term סְפַר designates an official written record—an archival scroll, register, or documented decree. Although related to the broader word for “book” (ספר), סְפַר is used for writings preserved for legal, governmental, or judicial purposes. Its canonical appearances form a concise portrait of the way earthly and heavenly administrations preserve and consult authoritative documents. Occurrences in Canonical Context 1. Ezra 4:15 (twice) – Persian officials urge Artaxerxes to “search… the record books of your fathers,” claiming that within those records the rebellious past of Jerusalem will be uncovered. Role in the Persian Administrative Framework The Persian Empire maintained vast repositories of scrolls in Babylon, Ecbatana, and Susa. Kings relied on these archives to confirm past decrees, land grants, and civic privileges. Ezra’s narrative highlights the reliability of such records: Cyrus’s forgotten edict was still recoverable decades later. סְפַר therefore embodies the Persian conviction that written law transcends individual rulers—an idea Scripture leverages to demonstrate God’s hidden governance of world affairs. Divine Sovereignty Expressed through Imperial Records By having Cyrus’s decree preserved, the Lord ensured that pagan bureaucracy would serve His covenant purposes. A pagan archive became the instrument that thwarted local opposition and restarted temple construction. This convergence between human paperwork and divine promise exemplifies Proverbs 21:1: “The king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD; He directs it wherever He pleases.” Liturgical and Covenant Implications Ezra 6:18 ties priestly organization to “what is written in the Book of Moses.” The use of סְפַר here underlines that worship is not left to improvisation; it is shaped by an objective, written revelation. Post-exilic Israel, re-rooted in Torah authority, becomes a paradigm for every generation that seeks renewal through returning to the text. Eschatological Dimension of the Heavenly Books Daniel 7:10 shifts the setting from earthly archives to the heavenly court where “the books were opened.” The same concept of an unimpeachable record, here perfected, guarantees final justice. Earthly סְפַר scrolls can be misplaced or abused, but the heavenly registry is infallible and exhaustive. This anticipates Revelation 20:12, where the dead are “judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.” Practical Ministry Insights • Written records safeguard truth. Faithful documentation—minutes, constitutions, covenants—protect congregations from drift and ensure continuity. Related Hebrew Terms and Distinctions • ספר (sefer, Strong’s 5612) – the common term for any “book” or scroll, including Scripture. סְפַר stands between these, emphasizing the archival artifact itself—an objective witness to law and history. Summary Whether in the Persian treasury or the throne room of Heaven, סְפַר underscores God’s use of written testimony to establish His purposes, protect His people, regulate worship, and guarantee final judgment. In every age, the faithful steward both the earthly documents entrusted to them and the eternal Word that will one day judge every heart. Forms and Transliterations בִּֽסְפַר־ בִּסְפַ֣ר בספר בספר־ וְסִפְרִ֥ין וספרין סְפַ֥ר סִפְרַיָּ֗א ספר ספריא bis·p̄ar bis·p̄ar- bisfar bisp̄ar bisp̄ar- sə·p̄ar seFar səp̄ar sifraiYa sip̄·ray·yā sip̄rayyā vesifRin wə·sip̄·rîn wəsip̄rînLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:15 HEB: דִּ֡י יְבַקַּר֩ בִּֽסְפַר־ דָּכְרָ֨נַיָּ֜א דִּ֣י NAS: in the record books of your fathers. KJV: That search may be made in the book of the records INT: so A search books the record so Ezra 4:15 Ezra 6:1 Ezra 6:18 Daniel 7:10 5 Occurrences |
    |