The Aramaic word yᵉtsâʼ, represented by H3319, means to finish. It is an Aramaic term that corresponds to the Hebrew word יָצָא and carries the sense of bringing something to completion. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, marking a singular, significant event.
The sole use of H3319 is found in the book of Ezra, where it records the successful completion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The text specifies the exact moment this monumental task was finished, stating, "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. This usage highlights a pivotal moment of restoration for the people of Israel, signifying the culmination of a long and challenging building process.
Several related Aramaic words found in the same context provide a fuller picture of this event:
- H1005 bayith (house): This is the object that was finished. In this context, it refers specifically to the house of God, the Temple in Jerusalem Ezra 6:12.
- H1868 Dârᵉyâvêsh (Darius): This refers to the Persian king whose reign provided the historical setting for the Temple's completion. His decree was instrumental in allowing the work to proceed Ezra 6:12.
- H144 ʼĂdâr (Adar): This identifies the 12th Hebrew month in which the Temple was completed, providing a precise date for the event Ezra 6:15.
- H8140 shᵉnâh (year): This word specifies the timeframe, dating the completion to the sixth year of King Darius's reign Ezra 6:15.
- H4437 malkûw (reign): This term denotes the royal dominion or reign of King Darius, establishing the political authority under which the Temple was finished Ezra 6:15.
The theological weight of H3319 is demonstrated entirely through its singular context of completing God's house.
- Fulfillment of Divine Will: The work was finished according to the commandment of God and the decree of kings like Cyrus and Darius Ezra 6:14. This shows the completion as an act of obedience to both divine and earthly authority.
- Restoration of Worship: To finish the Temple was to re-establish the central location for national worship. This is confirmed by the extensive offerings made at its dedication for all Israel Ezra 6:17.
- Historical Culmination: The completion of "this house" marks the end of a period of rebuilding that followed its earlier destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon Ezra 5:12. The term finish thus signifies a major turning point in Israel's history after their return from exile.
In summary, while yᵉtsâʼ H3319 is a rare word, its single appearance is profoundly significant. It does not merely mean to end a task, but to bring a divinely-ordained project to its intended conclusion. Its use in Ezra 6:15 encapsulates themes of historical fulfillment, the restoration of worship, and the sovereignty of God working through human hands to finish His purposes on earth.
TRV