The Hebrew word ʼiggereth, represented by H107, signifies an epistle or letter. It appears 10 times across 10 unique verses, typically referring to a formal written communication. These letters often carry official weight, serving as decrees, requests for resources, or important messages between leaders.
In the biblical narrative, H107 is primarily used in contexts of official and authoritative correspondence. Kings use letters to issue commands and grant permissions, such as when Nehemiah requests letters for safe passage and for timber from Asaph H623, the king's H4428 keeper H8104 Nehemiah 2:7-8. Similarly, King Hezekiah uses letters to summon all Israel and Judah to observe the Passover, conveying a royal commandment (2 Chronicles 30:1, 2 Chronicles 30:6). The term also appears in contexts of conflict and intimidation, as when Tobiah H2900 sent H7971 letters to frighten Nehemiah Nehemiah 6:19 and Sanballat sent an "open letter" as a public challenge Nehemiah 6:5.
Several related words highlight the context and function of an ʼiggereth:
- H3789 kâthab (to write): This primitive root describes the very creation of a letter. A letter H107 is something that must be written, as when Queen Esther H635 wrote with all authority to confirm the second letter of Purim Esther 9:29.
- H7971 shâlach (to send away, for, or out): Letters are created to be dispatched. The verb shâlach is frequently used to describe the delivery of an ʼiggereth. For instance, Tobiah H2900 sent letters H107 to intimidate Nehemiah Nehemiah 6:19, and King Hezekiah H3169 sent to all Israel and Judah 2 Chronicles 30:1.
- H4428 melek (a king): The authority behind many of these letters comes from a king. Nehemiah's mission was enabled by receiving letters from the king Nehemiah 2:9, demonstrating that these documents served as extensions of royal power.
The theological significance of H107 is found in its use as an instrument within God's unfolding plan:
- Implementing Divine Will: Official letters are the means by which God's servants enact His purposes. Hezekiah's letters were sent to gather the people to "keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel," facilitating a national return to worship 2 Chronicles 30:1.
- Evidence of God's Providence: Nehemiah explicitly attributes his success in obtaining crucial letters from the king to "the good hand of my God upon me" Nehemiah 2:8. This shows God's sovereign ability to work through secular authorities and official documents.
- Tool of Opposition: Just as letters can advance God's work, they can also be used to oppose it. The letters sent by Tobiah were specifically intended "to put me in fear," demonstrating that written communication is a weapon also wielded by the enemies of God's people Nehemiah 6:19.
In summary, ʼiggereth H107 is more than just a word for a physical letter. It represents a formal, authoritative document used to convey commands, establish decrees, and execute plans. Whether used by a king to restore national worship or by an enemy to instill fear, these letters serve as pivotal artifacts in the biblical narrative, illustrating how written communication can be a powerful tool for enacting or opposing the purposes of God.
TRV