5609. sephar

Lexicon

sephar: Scroll, book, writing

Original Word: סְפַר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: cphar
Pronunciation: seh-far
Phonetic Spelling: (sef-ar')
Definition: Scroll, book, writing
Meaning: a book

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 masculine^{Daniel 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

Word Origin: Derived from the root סָפַר (saphar), which means "to count, recount, relate, or declare."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Greek Number 975: βιβλίον (biblion) • A book, scroll, or written document.
• Strong's Greek Number 976: βιβλίος (biblios) • A book or scroll, often used in the context of sacred writings or official documents.

These Greek terms are used in the New Testament to refer to written texts, including the Scriptures, and share a similar semantic range with the Aramaic סְפַר. They reflect the continuity of the concept of written authority and record-keeping from the Old Testament to the New Testament era.

Usage: The term סְפַר is used in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament to refer to a book or written document. It appears in contexts where written records, decrees, or letters are mentioned.

Context: The Aramaic word סְפַר (sefar) is found in the biblical books of Ezra and Daniel, which contain sections written in Aramaic. In these contexts, סְפַר typically refers to official documents, letters, or decrees issued by kings or officials. For example, in the book of Ezra, it is used to describe the letters and decrees sent by Persian kings concerning the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The use of סְפַר highlights the importance of written communication and record-keeping in the administration of empires and the governance of provinces. The term underscores the authority and permanence associated with written decrees, as they were often used to convey royal commands and legal decisions.

In Ezra 4:15, the term is used in the context of a letter sent to King Artaxerxes, urging him to search the "book of records" to verify the rebellious history of Jerusalem: "so that a search may be made in the book of records of your fathers" (BSB). This illustrates the reliance on written documents for historical verification and decision-making.

Similarly, in Daniel 7:10, the imagery of books being opened during a divine judgment scene emphasizes the role of written records in the heavenly court: "The court was seated, and the books were opened" (BSB). This usage conveys the concept of divine omniscience and the meticulous recording of human deeds.

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 wəsip̄rîn

Englishman'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
HEB: אֲבָהָתָ֗ךְ וּ֠תְהַשְׁכַּח בִּסְפַ֣ר דָּכְרָנַיָּא֮ וְתִנְדַּע֒
NAS: in the record books and learn
KJV: so shalt thou find in the book of the records,
INT: of your fathers will discover books the record and learn

Ezra 6:1
HEB: וּבַקַּ֣רוּ ׀ בְּבֵ֣ית סִפְרַיָּ֗א דִּ֧י גִנְזַיָּ֛א
KJV: was made in the house of the rolls, where
INT: and search the house of the rolls forasmuch the treasures

Ezra 6:18
HEB: בִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם כִּכְתָ֖ב סְפַ֥ר מֹשֶֽׁה׃ פ
NAS: as it is written in the book of Moses.
KJV: as it is written in the book of Moses.
INT: Jerusalem is written the book of Moses

Daniel 7:10
HEB: דִּינָ֥א יְתִ֖ב וְסִפְרִ֥ין פְּתִֽיחוּ׃
NAS: sat, And the books were opened.
KJV: was set, and the books were opened.
INT: the court sat and the books were opened

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5609
5 Occurrences

bis·p̄ar- — 2 Occ.
sə·p̄ar — 1 Occ.
sip̄·ray·yā — 1 Occ.
wə·sip̄·rîn — 1 Occ.