A rescript, in historical and biblical contexts, refers to an official edict or decree issued by a sovereign authority, often in response to a petition or a specific situation. In the Roman Empire, rescripts were commonly used by emperors to address legal questions or administrative matters. These documents held significant authority and were binding in nature.

In the biblical narrative, while the term "rescript" itself is not explicitly used in the Berean Standard Bible , the concept is evident in various instances where decrees or official letters are issued by ruling authorities. These decrees often play crucial roles in the unfolding of biblical events and the fulfillment of divine purposes.

One notable example of a rescript-like decree is found in the Book of Esther. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) issues a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies. This decree is a response to Queen Esther's plea to save her people from the malicious plot orchestrated by Haman. The king's rescript effectively reverses the earlier decree that had endangered the Jewish population, demonstrating the power and impact of such official documents. Esther 8:8 states, "Now you may write in the king’s name as you please concerning the Jews, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. For a decree written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring cannot be revoked."

Another significant instance is found in the Book of Ezra, where King Artaxerxes of Persia issues a decree permitting Ezra to lead a group of exiles back to Jerusalem and to oversee the restoration of the temple. This decree not only grants Ezra authority but also provides resources and protection for the journey and the rebuilding efforts. Ezra 7:13 records, "I hereby decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including priests and Levites, who wish to go to Jerusalem with you, may go."

In the New Testament, the concept of a rescript can be seen in the decrees issued by Roman authorities. For example, the decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered, as mentioned in Luke 2:1 , sets the stage for the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem: "Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world."

Rescripts and decrees in the biblical context often serve as instruments through which God's providential plans are realized. They reflect the intersection of divine sovereignty and human authority, illustrating how God can use the edicts of earthly rulers to accomplish His purposes. These documents, while issued by human hands, are woven into the larger tapestry of God's redemptive history as recorded in Scripture.1. (n.) The answer of an emperor when formally consulted by particular persons on some difficult question; hence, an edict or decree.

2. (n.) The official written answer of the pope upon a question of canon law, or morals.

3. (n.) A counterpart.

The Peace under Gallienus.
... the persecution against us by public proclamations, [2268] and directed the bishops
to perform in freedom their customary duties, in a rescript [2269] which ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xiii the peace under gallienus.htm

Ecclesiastical Writers.
... just to slay the Christians without a regular accusation and trial, merely for the
sake of gratifying the outcries of the populace, sent a rescript [1049] to ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter viii ecclesiastical writers.htm

Petilianus Said: "Lastly, as we have Often Said Before...
... and apostate emperor, that "in him justice only found a place," seeing that the
party of Donatus has universally employed the prayers and the rescript in which ...
/.../chapter 98 223 petilianus.htm

Trajan Forbids the Christians to be Sought After.
... how great a multitude of men may be reformed if there is given a chance for repentance."
The reply of Trajan--commonly called "Trajan's Rescript"--reads as ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxxiii trajan forbids the christians.htm

The Epistle of Antoninus to the Common Assembly of Asia in Regard ...
... Overbeck concludes that Eusebius was led by internal evidence to assign the rescript
to Antoninus Pius, but that he did not venture to change the inscription ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xiii the epistle of antoninus.htm

Copies of Imperial Laws.
... 3. But since in that rescript, in which such liberty was granted them, many and
various conditions [2918] seemed clearly added, some of them, it may be, after ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter v copies of imperial laws.htm

Now, as to the Question which You Raise, when it was that I Began ...
... the supporter of Paul whom he had condemned and made the greatest effort to help
him, and instigated him to recover through an imperial rescript the bishopric ...
/.../17 now as to the.htm

Chapter ii.
... For, from Pliny's doubt how he was to act, his silence concerning any subsisting
law on the subject, his requesting the emperor's rescript, and the emperor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/paley/evidences of christianity/chapter ii.htm

The Epistle of Adrian, Decreeing that we Should not be Punished ...
... Such are the contents of Adrian's rescript. Footnotes: [1054] Greek, epistolen;
Latin, litteras. [1055] Greek, hoi anthropoi; Latin, innoxii. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ix the epistle of adrian.htm

The Decree against us which was Engraved on Pillars.
... [2741]. The rescript is in the following words: Copy of a translation of
the rescript of Maximinus in answer to the memorials against ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vii the decree against us.htm

Rescript (1 Occurrence)
... or morals. 3. (n.) A counterpart. Multi-Version Concordance Rescript (1
Occurrence). Ezra 6:11 Also I have given order that whosoever ...
/r/rescript.htm - 7k

Ordinance (89 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A rule established by authority; a permanent rule of action; a statute,
law, regulation, rescript, or accepted usage; an edict or decree; esp., a local ...
/o/ordinance.htm - 40k

Resaias

/r/resaias.htm - 6k

Before (18954 Occurrences)
... at least a portion of the day before the Sabbath into a holy day was recognized
by the Romans to such an extent that, according to a rescript of Augustus, Jews ...
/b/before.htm - 9k

Arvad (2 Occurrences)
... It is mentioned in a rescript from Rome about 138 BC, in connection with other
cities and rulers of the East, to show favor to the Jews. ...
/a/arvad.htm - 11k

Arvadites (1 Occurrence)
... It is mentioned in a rescript from Rome about 138 BC, in connection with other
cities and rulers of the East, to show favor to the Jews. ...
/a/arvadites.htm - 10k

Sabbath (126 Occurrences)
... at least a portion of the day before the Sabbath into a holy day was recognized
by the Romans to such an extent that, according to a rescript of Augustus, Jews ...
/s/sabbath.htm - 86k

Rescue (92 Occurrences)

/r/rescue.htm - 33k

Separate (115 Occurrences)
... make it practically certain that the Actus Vercellensus belong to the writing known
as the Acts of Peter, which was condemned in the rescript of Innocent I ...
/s/separate.htm - 71k

Rescript: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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