(Aramaic) corresponding to the root of זְבִינָא; to acquire by purchase; gain.
Transliteration:zᵉban
Pronunciation:zeb-an'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb זְבַן (zᵉban, `{{H2084}}`) primarily signifies the act of "buying" or "acquiring by purchase." It is directly related to the Aramaic noun זְבִינָא (zᵉbina', `{{H2085}}`), which denotes "merchandise" or "that which is bought," solidifying its core commercial meaning. The base definition also extends to "gain," implying the outcome or benefit derived from such a transaction. Unlike broader terms for acquisition, זְבַן specifically points to a transactional exchange involving value, emphasizing the economic dimension of procurement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb זְבַן (zᵉban, `{{H2084}}`) appears only once in the biblical text, exclusively within the Aramaic portion of the Book of Ezra:
* [[Ezra 7:17]]: "Therefore buy with this money oxen, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem."
In this singular occurrence, זְבַן unequivocally refers to the act of "purchasing" sacrificial animals and accompanying offerings. The context is a decree issued by King Artaxerxes, empowering Ezra to use royal funds to procure the necessary supplies for the Temple service in Jerusalem. This verse underscores the practical and economic requirements for maintaining the Temple cult, emphasizing a direct, transactional acquisition to ensure the proper provisioning of sacrifices.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Aramaic Cognates:** The most direct lexical link is to the Aramaic noun זְבִינָא (zᵉbina', `{{H2085}}`), meaning "merchandise" or "that which is bought." This close relationship reinforces the commercial and transactional nature of זְבַן.
* **Hebrew Equivalents:** While זְבַן is an Aramaic term, its semantic function of "buying" finds parallels in Hebrew. The most common Hebrew verb for "buy" is קָנָה (qanah, `{{H7069}}`), which can also mean "acquire," "possess," or even "create." Other related terms include לָקַח (laqach, `{{H3947}}`, "take, receive, acquire") or, in antithesis, מָכַר (makar, `{{H4376}}`, "sell").
* **Economic Terminology:** The word belongs to a semantic field encompassing commerce, trade, acquisition, and exchange. It evokes concepts of value, transaction, and procurement within an economic framework.
* **Sacrificial System:** Within the specific context of [[Ezra 7:17]], זְבַן is directly linked to the provisioning of the Jerusalem Temple and its sacrificial cult, connecting a mundane economic act to the sacred realm of worship and atonement.
### Theological Significance
Despite its solitary appearance, זְבַן (zᵉban, `{{H2084}}`) in [[Ezra 7:17]] carries subtle yet profound theological implications:
* **Divine Provision through Secular Means:** The command for a pagan king, Artaxerxes, to provide funds for the "buying" of sacrificial animals illustrates God's sovereign hand at work through seemingly unexpected channels. The act of "buying" becomes an instrument of divine providence, ensuring the continuity and resourcing of the Temple service for His people.
* **Stewardship of Resources for Worship:** The directive to "buy" implies the responsible and purposeful use of financial resources for sacred ends. It underscores the principle that material wealth, even if originating from external or secular sources, can and should be consecrated for God's glory and the maintenance of His worship.
* **Practicality of Worship:** The word highlights the tangible and practical requirements of biblical worship. Sacrifices were not abstract concepts; they necessitated actual animals and offerings, which often required procurement through economic means. This grounds worship in the realities of daily life and resource management.
* **Obedience and Fulfillment of Divine Will:** The broader narrative of Ezra 7 emphasizes Ezra's mission to implement God's law. The king's decree, including the instruction to "buy" offerings, is presented as part of God's will being meticulously carried out, underscoring the importance of obedience and the diligent fulfillment of religious duties.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb זְבַן (zᵉban, `{{H2084}}`) precisely means "to acquire by purchase" or "to buy." Its singular biblical occurrence in [[Ezra 7:17]] is found within a royal decree from King Artaxerxes, instructing Ezra to "buy" sacrificial animals and offerings for the Temple in Jerusalem. This specific usage emphasizes the practical, economic dimension of maintaining the Temple cult and highlights God's sovereign provision for His people's worship, even through the actions of a foreign monarch. While its lexical range in the biblical text is narrow, its direct connection to זְבִינָא (zᵉbina', `{{H2085}}`, "merchandise") reinforces its commercial meaning. Theologically, זְבַן illustrates the consecration of material resources for divine purposes, the tangible requirements of worship, and God's ability to orchestrate provision through various means for the faithful execution of His commands.
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