Lexical Summary polchan: Service, Worship Original Word: פָלְחָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance service (Aramaic) from plach; worship -- service. see HEBREW plach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from pelach Definition service, worship NASB Translation service (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָּלְחָן noun [masculine] service, worship; — construct ׳פ בֵּית אֱלָהָח Ezra 7:19. Topical Lexicon Entry: Palchan (Service of the Temple)Meaning and Scope Palchan denotes the organized, dedicated service rendered before the God of Israel, especially as it relates to the use of sacred vessels and implements in the sanctuary. It encapsulates both the ritual activity itself and the objects set apart for that activity. Biblical Usage Ezra 7:19 is the sole occurrence: “Furthermore, the articles that have been given to you for the service of the house of your God must be delivered before the God of Jerusalem.” (Ezra 7:19) The term appears in the Aramaic portion of Artaxerxes’ decree, underscoring imperial recognition that these items belong exclusively to the liturgical worship of the Lord. Historical Background 1. Second-Temple Restoration: After decades of exile, the returned community required both personnel and equipment to re-establish proper worship. Palchan pinpoints the moment when the Persian treasury reinforced that effort by submitting vessels for cultic use, a striking contrast with Nebuchadnezzar’s earlier plundering (2 Kings 25:13-15; Ezra 1:7-11). Theological Significance • Holiness and Exclusivity: Objects and duties tagged as palchan are consecrated; using them otherwise would desecrate sacred space (compare Daniel 5:2-4). Ministry Insights 1. Stewardship: Ezra receives not ownership but trust; leaders today likewise steward, not possess, church resources (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Related Passages Exodus 27:19; Numbers 4:15-16; 1 Kings 7:45-47; 2 Chronicles 24:12-14; Hebrews 9:21-23. Christological and Eschatological Trajectory Temple service anticipates the once-for-all priestly ministry of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:1-6). The earthly palchan finds fulfillment in the heavenly sanctuary where Christ “appeared in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24). Ultimately, New Jerusalem needs no temple because “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (Revelation 21:22), rendering every redeemed believer a living vessel of worship. Practical Application • Consecrate resources, gifts, and time exclusively for God’s glory. Forms and Transliterations לְפָלְחָ֖ן לפלחן lə·p̄ā·lə·ḥān lefaleChan ləp̄āləḥānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 7:19 HEB: מִתְיַהֲבִ֣ין לָ֔ךְ לְפָלְחָ֖ן בֵּ֣ית אֱלָהָ֑ךְ NAS: are given to you for the service of the house KJV: also that are given thee for the service of the house INT: which are given the service of the house of your God 1 Occurrence |
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