### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Bishlâm**, represented by `{{H1312}}`, is a proper name of foreign derivation. The Bible identifies **Bishlam** as a Persian man. This name appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse**, placing it in a very specific historical context concerning official correspondence with the Persian king.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single appearance of **Bishlam** `{{H1312}}` is in [[Ezra 4:7]]. In this verse, he is named as one of the individuals who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia. He acted alongside Mithredath, Tabeel, and their other companions. The passage notes that this official communication was composed with a distinct process: "the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue" [[Ezra 4:7]]. This places **Bishlam** within a formal, administrative event during the post-exilic period.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from this account provide context for the action involving **Bishlam**:
* `{{H3789}}` **kâthab** (to write): This is the verb describing the action performed by **Bishlam** and his companions. It means to write, record, or inscribe, and is used throughout scripture for creating permanent records [[Malachi 3:16]] and noting divine law [[Jeremiah 31:33]].
* `{{H3791}}` **kâthâb** (a writing, record or book): This noun refers to the product of the action—the physical document itself. It is used for royal writings [[Esther 8:8]] and the "scripture of truth" [[Daniel 10:21]].
* `{{H5406}}` **nishtᵉvân** (an epistle; letter): This term specifies the type of document created, an official letter or epistle. Its use in [[Ezra 4:7]] and [[Ezra 7:11]] highlights its connection to formal royal communication.
### Theological Significance
While **Bishlam** himself is a minor figure, his action of writing connects to significant scriptural themes found in the associated words:
* **The Written Record:** **Bishlam** participates in creating an official record to a king. This reflects a broader biblical principle where writing creates a lasting account, whether it is a "book of remembrance" written before the Lord [[Malachi 3:16]] or God's law written on the heart [[Jeremiah 31:33]].
* **Writing and Destiny:** Being written in a record often carries consequences. The righteous are found "written in the book" for deliverance [[Daniel 12:1]], while false prophets are explicitly excluded from being "written in the writing of the house of Israel" [[Ezekiel 13:9]].
* **Authoritative Communication:** The letter co-authored by **Bishlam** was a formal address to the highest earthly power. This act mirrors the gravity of other written documents in scripture, from irreversible royal decrees [[Esther 8:8]] to the divinely inspired "scripture of truth" [[Daniel 10:21]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1312}}` **Bishlam** is the name of a Persian individual known for a single act: co-authoring a letter to King Artaxerxes. His brief mention in [[Ezra 4:7]] firmly roots him in a historical moment of political communication. Though his role is small, it connects to the powerful and recurring biblical theme of the written word as a tool of record, authority, and destiny.
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