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.
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.
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.
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.
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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