English · KJV
H1585

גְּמַר

gᵉmar /ghem-ar'/ Ask about this word
Root(Aramaic) corresponding to גָּמַר
Meaning(to end (in the sense of completion or failure))
KJV usageperfect.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of gᵉmar — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word gᵉmar, represented by H1585, is used for the concept of being perfect. It appears just 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its definition points to an end in the sense of completion or fulfillment, rather than failure.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single use of H1585 is found in a royal decree. In a letter to Ezra, King Artaxerxes extends "perfect peace, and at such a time" Ezra 7:12. In this official correspondence, the word describes the quality of the peace being granted. It signifies a complete, whole, and officially sanctioned state of well-being for Ezra and his mission as a priest H3549 and scribe H5613 of God's law H1882.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its sole context help frame its meaning:

  • H783 ʼArtachshashtâʼ (Artaxerxes): The Persian king H4430 who issues the decree. His use of H1585 gives the term its legal and authoritative weight in the narrative Ezra 7:12.
  • H5831 ʻEzrâʼ (Ezra): The recipient of the letter, described as a priest H3549 and scribe H5613 of God's law. The "perfect" peace is granted to him to ensure his work is completed Ezra 7:12.
  • H1882 dâth (law): This is the central subject of the king's decree. The king's support for Ezra is in the context of the law H1882 of the God H426 of heaven H8065, which Ezra is tasked to teach and implement Ezra 7:25.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H1585 is derived entirely from its unique context:

  • Sovereign Provision: The word is spoken by a pagan king, ʼArtachshashtâʼ H783, yet it demonstrates God's ability to use world leaders to accomplish His will. The provision of "perfect" peace shows a complete divine enablement for Ezra's mission Ezra 7:12.
  • Completeness of Authority: The term underscores the absolute nature of the king's support. The peace granted is not partial but "perfect," ensuring Ezra has the full backing of the Persian empire to reestablish the law H1882 in Jerusalem.
  • Fulfillment of Purpose: Used in the opening of the king's letter to ʻEzrâʼ H5831, the word sets a tone of completion. It implies that everything needed for the success of the mission will be provided, aligning with the idea of a project brought to its intended end.

Summary

In summary, while H1585 is an extremely rare word, its single appearance is significant. It is used to describe a complete or "perfect" peace within a royal decree, highlighting the absolute authority and provision granted by King Artaxerxes to Ezra. It illustrates how God can work through secular powers to provide for the fulfillment of His divine purposes for His people.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • גְּמִיר

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3549 כָּהֵן (Aramaic) corresponding to כֹּהֵן; {one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)}; H5613 סָפֵר (Aramaic) from the same as סְפַר; a scribe (secular or sacred); scribe. H1882 דָּת (Aramaic) corresponding to דָּת; {a royal edict or statute}; decree, law. H783 אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׁתָּא or אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׁתְּא; or by permutation אַרְתַּחְשַׁסְתְּא; of foreign origin; Artachshasta (or Artaxerxes), a title ( H4430 מֶלֶךְ (Aramaic) corresponding to מֶלֶךְ; a king; king, royal. H5831 עֶזְרָא (Aramaic) corresponding to עֶזְרָא; Ezra, an Israelite; Ezra.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Ezra — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.