The Aramaic word ʼĂdâr, represented by H144, identifies Adar, the 12th Hebrew month. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. Its singular purpose is to provide a precise date for a significant event in Israel's post-exilic history.
In the biblical narrative, H144 is used to mark the exact moment of the Second Temple's completion. The book of Ezra records that the construction project was brought to a close on a specific day within this month. The verse states, "And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king" Ezra 6:15.
The context of H144 is established by several related Aramaic words that define the event's timing and setting:
- H3393 yᵉrach (a month): This word provides the time unit that H144 specifies, framing Adar as a month within the calendar year Ezra 6:15.
- H3118 yôwm (a day): This term narrows the timeframe to the specific day of completion, pinpointing the event with greater accuracy Ezra 6:15.
- H8140 shᵉnâh (a year): This places the event in its broader historical context, the sixth year of a king's reign Ezra 6:15.
- H1868 Dârᵉyâvêsh (Darius): This identifies the Persian king whose reign provides the historical anchor for the completion of the temple Ezra 6:15.
- H1005 bayith (house): This refers to the temple itself, the house of God whose completion is dated to the month of Adar Ezra 6:15.
The historical weight of H144 is tied directly to the monumental event it dates.
- Completion of the Second Temple: The primary significance of Adar in this context is its association with the finishing H3319 of the house of God in Jerusalem, a pivotal moment for the returned exiles Ezra 6:15.
- Fulfillment of a Royal Decree: The date marks the culmination of work that took place during the reign H4437 of Darius H1868 the king H4430, grounding the event in a specific political and historical period.
- Precise Historical Record: The use of Adar, along with the day H3118 and year H8140, underscores the careful and exact record-keeping of the event, cementing its place in history.
In summary, though it appears only once, H144 ʼĂdâr is a word of great historical importance. It is more than a simple calendar reference; it is a timestamp for the restoration of Israel's central place of worship after the Babylonian exile. Its singular mention in Ezra 6:15 highlights how a specific date can signify the fulfillment of a monumental task and the renewal of a nation's spiritual life.
TRV