Lexical Summary capher: To count, recount, relate, declare, number Original Word: סָפֵר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance scribe (Aramaic) from the same as cphar; a scribe (secular or sacred) -- scribe. see HEBREW cphar Brown-Driver-Briggs [סָפֵר] noun masculine secretary, scribe (ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew סֹפֵר); — emphatic סָֽפְרָא the secretary, Persian official, Ezra 4:8,9,17,23; construct סָפַר the scribe Ezra 7:12,21, of Ezra as learned in God's law. Topical Lexicon Root and Range of Meaning סָפֵר in the Aramaic portions of Ezra denotes an official written document—usually a royal letter or decree. Whereas the related Hebrew noun for “scroll” (sefer) is broadly literary, this Aramaic form is narrowly administrative, highlighting the legal force of the written word in the Persian period. Occurrences in the Book of Ezra 1. Ezra 4:8–9 – Adversaries draft a letter opposing the rebuilding of Jerusalem. These six instances fall into two contrasting clusters: the first (Ezra 4) conveys opposition, the second (Ezra 7) grants support. Together they illustrate the tension between earthly bureaucracy and divine purpose. Historical Setting: Persian Imperial Administration Under the Achaemenid Empire, Aramaic functioned as the court language. A “letter” carried the weight of law once sealed by the king’s signet. The switch from Hebrew narrative to Aramaic in Ezra 4:8 signals a move into the diplomatic arena. God’s people now negotiate their mission amid imperial protocols, showing that covenant history unfolds not in isolation but within global politics. Theology of the Written Decree “Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem” (Ezra 4:8). The first appearance connects the term to opposition, yet the same instrument—an imperial letter—later advances the kingdom: “Artaxerxes, king of kings, … issues this decree” (Ezra 7:12–13, paraphrased from). Scripture thereby underscores two truths: Foreshadowing the Canon The emphasis on authoritative writing anticipates the closing of the Old Testament canon and the eventual inscripturation of the New. Just as Persian edicts were immutable (Esther 8:8), the Word of God is settled and unalterable (Psalm 119:89). The contrast between hostile and favorable letters in Ezra prepares readers to value Scripture as the final, benevolent decree of the true King. Ministry and Discipleship Implications • Respect for civil documents: Ezra models engagement with state protocols without compromising fidelity. Summary סָפֵר in Ezra spotlights the power of written authority within God’s redemptive story. Whether wielded by enemies or allies, every letter ultimately serves the advance of the divine plan, demonstrating that “the counsel of the LORD stands forever” (Psalm 33:11). Forms and Transliterations סָֽפְרָ֔א סָפְרָ֖א סָפַ֤ר סָפַ֨ר ספר ספרא sā·p̄ar sā·p̄ə·rā saFar safeRa sāp̄ar sāp̄ərāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:8 HEB: טְעֵ֗ם וְשִׁמְשַׁי֙ סָֽפְרָ֔א כְּתַ֛בוּ אִגְּרָ֥ה NAS: and Shimshai the scribe wrote KJV: and Shimshai the scribe wrote INT: chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote A letter Ezra 4:9 Ezra 4:17 Ezra 4:23 Ezra 7:12 Ezra 7:21 6 Occurrences |
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