### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word **dikrôwn**, represented by `{{H1799}}`, is a specific term for a **register** or **record**. It appears 3 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, exclusively within the context of official state archives. It corresponds to the Hebrew word for a memorial or record, but in Aramaic, it specifically denotes a formal, written account.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H1799}}` refers to official documents with legal and historical weight. In a letter opposing the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the term is used to request a search of "the book of the **records**" to prove the city's rebellious past [[Ezra 4:15]]. This **record** is presented as evidence that Jerusalem has been hurtful to kings and provinces. Later, when a search is commanded by King Darius, a roll is found in the palace containing a **record** of King Cyrus's original decree to rebuild the temple [[Ezra 6:2]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related Aramaic words clarify the context of creating and accessing these official records:
* `{{H1240}}` **bᵉqar** (inquire, make search): This is the action taken to find information within a record. A **search** was to be made in the book of records to investigate Jerusalem's history [[Ezra 4:15]].
* `{{H5609}}` **çᵉphar** (a book; book, roll): This refers to the physical object where a record is kept. The **records** of the fathers were located in a **book** [[Ezra 4:15]].
* `{{H3790}}` **kᵉthab** (to write): This describes the creation of the record itself. The official decree found at Achmetha was a record that had been **written** [[Ezra 6:2]].
### Theological Significance
The functional significance of `{{H1799}}` is centered on governance and the authority of the written word.
* **Historical Precedent:** A **record** serves as an official memory that can be consulted to determine past behavior and justify current actions. Opponents of Jerusalem used the royal archives to argue that the city was historically **rebellious** `{{H4779}}` and a source of **sedition** `{{H849}}` [[Ezra 4:15]].
* **Legal Authority:** The word highlights the power of a written decree. The **record** of Cyrus's command, once found, held legal standing that influenced the decision of a subsequent king [[Ezra 6:2]].
* **State Administration:** The term is exclusively used in the context of royal administration, involving kings, provinces, and official archives stored in places like a **palace** `{{H1001}}`.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1799}}` is more than a simple note; it is a legally and politically significant **record**. Its use in the book of Ezra illustrates the critical role that official, written archives played in the administration of the Persian empire, where historical precedent could determine the fate of a city and its people. It underscores the power held within a formal, state-sanctioned register.
TRV