### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term H1251 (בַּר), transliterated as *bar*, fundamentally denotes "field" or "open country." It is explicitly identified as the Aramaic counterpart to the Hebrew H1250 (בָּר), which can also carry the meaning of "field" or "uncultivated land," though H1250 more commonly refers to "grain" or "purity." In the context of H1251, the primary semantic focus is on an expanse of land, often associated with agricultural produce or uncultivated wilderness. This word speaks to the physical landscape, particularly in an agrarian or pastoral setting, serving as a source of sustenance or a dwelling place for wild creatures.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic H1251 (בַּר) appears in the biblical text in a very specific context, limited to a single occurrence in the book of Ezra.
* **Ezra 4:14**: "Now because we have been nourished from the king's field, and it is not fitting for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king." [[Ezra 4:14]]
* In this verse, H1251 (בַּר) is part of the phrase "מִן-בַּר מַלְכָּא" (*min-bar malkā*), meaning "from the king's field." The context is a letter from Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe, along with their colleagues, to King Artaxerxes. They are attempting to halt the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Their claim of loyalty is rooted in the fact that they "eat the salt of the palace" (a common idiom for being sustained by royal provision) and have been nourished "from the king's field."
* Here, "the king's field" signifies the land, resources, or general provisions supplied by the monarch. It represents the source of their livelihood and, by extension, the basis of their allegiance. It is not merely a literal plot of land but a symbol of royal patronage and the economic foundation provided by the empire. The use of H1251 underscores the administrative and economic realities of the Persian Empire as experienced by its subjects and officials.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of H1251 (בַּר) is enriched by considering its linguistic and conceptual relatives:
* **H1250 (בָּר)**: This is the Hebrew cognate, primarily meaning "grain" or "pure," but also capable of meaning "field" or "open country," particularly in poetic or agricultural contexts. The Aramaic H1251 specifically retains and emphasizes the "field" aspect.
* **H1252 (בָּרָא)**: Another Aramaic term, *barā'*, which is closely related and frequently translated as "field" or "open country," especially in the book of Daniel. For example, in Daniel 2:38, it refers to "the beasts of the field" (חֵיוַת בָּרָא) [[Daniel 2:38]]. This term often carries a connotation of the wild or uncultivated outdoors, where animals roam. While distinct in form, its semantic range overlaps significantly with H1251 in the broader concept of land outside of settlements.
* **Concepts**: The word H1251 naturally evokes concepts such as:
* **Agriculture and Sustenance**: Fields are sources of food and livelihood.
* **Land Ownership and Resources**: The "king's field" implies royal domain and control over vital resources.
* **Loyalty and Provision**: The officials' dependence on the king's field is directly linked to their declared loyalty.
* **Wilderness/Open Spaces**: While H1251 in Ezra 4:14 is cultivated or managed, its broader semantic family includes the idea of uncultivated land.
### Theological Significance
While H1251 (בַּר) appears in a singular, administrative context, its presence in the biblical text offers subtle theological insights:
* **Divine Provision through Earthly Means**: The "king's field" represents an earthly source of sustenance. This can be seen as a reflection, albeit indirect, of God's overarching role as the ultimate provider. Just as the king provides for his subjects from his land, so God sustains all creation from His bounty. The dependence on the "field" for life's necessities points to a foundational truth about human reliance on external sources for provision, ultimately tracing back to the Creator.
* **Context of God's Sovereignty in History**: The Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel, including words like H1251, underscore the historical reality of God's people living under foreign empires. Even in such times, God's narrative unfolds, and His purposes are advanced. The very language and administrative structures of the empire become part of the biblical record, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all nations and their provisions.
* **Stewardship and Dependence**: The officials' acknowledgment of being "nourished from the king's field" highlights a principle of dependence on a higher authority for one's well-being. This mirrors the spiritual truth of humanity's absolute dependence on God for all aspects of life, including physical sustenance and spiritual flourishing.
### Summary
The Aramaic word H1251 (בַּר), transliterated as *bar*, primarily signifies "field" or "open country." Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Ezra 4:14]], where it appears in the phrase "the king's field," denoting a source of royal provision and patronage for the officials writing to King Artaxerxes. This usage underscores the administrative and economic realities of the Persian Empire and the concept of loyalty tied to sustenance. While limited in direct theological exposition, H1251 implicitly points to themes of divine provision, human dependence, and God's sovereign hand at work even within the secular structures of history. It also serves as a linguistic marker, highlighting the multi-lingual nature of the biblical text and the historical context of the post-exilic period.
TRV