from אָמַר; something (authoritatively) said, i.e. an edict; commandment, decree.
Transliteration:maʼămar
Pronunciation:mah-am-ar'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מַאֲמַר (maʼămar, `{{H3982}}`) is derived from the verbal root אָמַר (amar, `{{H559}}`), meaning "to say, speak, declare." While the root verb encompasses any act of speaking, maʼămar specifically denotes "that which is said" with an inherent quality of authority and binding force. Its semantic range includes "edict," "commandment," and "decree." It is not merely a statement or a word, but a pronouncement that carries legal, administrative, or divine weight, demanding compliance or bringing about a specific outcome. It implies an authoritative utterance from a superior to a subordinate, or from a sovereign power to its subjects.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term maʼămar appears relatively infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the books of Esther, Ezra, and Daniel. In each context, it consistently highlights the authoritative nature of the spoken word:
* **Esther:** Here, maʼămar predominantly refers to royal decrees or authoritative commands.
* In [[Esther 1:15]] and [[Esther 1:19]], it describes King Ahasuerus's decree concerning Queen Vashti, emphasizing its binding and irreversible nature. Vashti's refusal to obey the king's maʼămar leads to her deposition, illustrating the serious consequences of defiance.
* [[Esther 2:20]] speaks of Esther's obedience to Mordecai's maʼămar, demonstrating the authoritative command within a guardian-ward relationship.
* [[Esther 9:32]] refers to the maʼămar of Queen Esther, which confirmed and established the annual observance of Purim, highlighting its role in establishing lasting ordinances.
* **Ezra:** In Ezra, maʼămar is used in the context of decrees concerning the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple.
* [[Ezra 5:13]] and [[Ezra 6:14]] mention the maʼămar (decree) of King Cyrus, and later Darius and Artaxerxes, authorizing and supporting the construction. Significantly, [[Ezra 6:14]] explicitly states that the temple was built "by the maʼămar of the God of Israel, and according to the maʼămar of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia." This juxtaposition underscores how human royal decrees can align with and fulfill the divine command, suggesting divine orchestration of earthly authority.
* **Daniel:** In Daniel, maʼămar takes on a distinctly divine connotation.
* [[Daniel 4:17]] speaks of the "matter by the maʼămar of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones," referring to a divine decree concerning Nebuchadnezzar's judgment.
* [[Daniel 4:24]] explicitly attributes this as the "decree of the Most High," leaving no doubt as to its ultimate source and irresistible force. In these instances, maʼămar signifies a sovereign divine pronouncement that determines destinies and brings about specific, unalterable outcomes.
Across these contexts, maʼămar consistently denotes an authoritative pronouncement that carries significant weight, requiring obedience, establishing law, or bringing about a predetermined state of affairs.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of maʼămar is illuminated by its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **אָמַר (amar, `{{H559}}`):** As its root, amar is the fundamental act of speaking. maʼămar is the authoritative product or result of that speaking.
* **דָּבָר (davar, `{{H1697}}`):** This broad term means "word," "thing," or "matter." While davar can certainly refer to an authoritative word (e.g., "the word of the Lord"), maʼămar is a more specific type of davar, one that is explicitly an authoritative edict or decree.
* **חֹק (choq, `{{H2706}}`) / חֻקָּה (chuqqah, `{{H2708}}`):** These terms refer to "statute," "ordinance," or "established law." maʼămar can be the authoritative issuance that brings such a choq or chuqqah into being.
* **מִצְוָה (mitzvah, `{{H4687}}`):** Meaning "commandment," particularly a divine command. When maʼămar refers to God's decree, it functions similarly to mitzvah, emphasizing the binding nature of the instruction.
* **Divine Fiat:** The concept of God's creative and ordering word, as seen in the creation account (e.g., [[Genesis 1:3]], "And God said..."), resonates with the authoritative nature of maʼămar. Though maʼămar is not used in Genesis 1, it encapsulates the idea of a divine pronouncement that effects reality.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of maʼămar lies primarily in its articulation of authority, both human and divine:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Unchangeable Will:** When applied to God (as in Daniel), maʼămar profoundly underscores His absolute sovereignty. God's maʼămar is not merely advice or suggestion but an unalterable decree that shapes history, determines outcomes, and cannot be resisted. It reflects His omnipotence and the certainty of His purposes. The fate of kings and nations is subject to His authoritative word.
* **God's Providence through Human Authority:** The use of maʼămar in Ezra is particularly insightful. The fact that the rebuilding of the temple occurred by the maʼămar of Persian kings *and* the maʼămar of the God of Israel reveals a profound theological truth: God can and does work His sovereign will through the decrees and actions of human authorities, even those who do not explicitly acknowledge Him. This demonstrates God's providential control over all earthly powers.
* **The Power and Efficacy of the Word:** maʼămar emphasizes that certain words are not inert but are effective instruments of power. Whether establishing a law, commanding an action, or bringing about a judgment, the maʼămar has inherent force to accomplish its stated purpose. This concept aligns with the broader biblical theme of the creative and redemptive power of God's spoken word, which brings forth creation, establishes covenants, and effects salvation.
* **Human Responsibility to Authority:** The instances of human maʼămar (e.g., royal decrees, Mordecai's command) highlight the biblical principle of submission to legitimate authority within societal structures. While not absolute, such obedience is often presented as virtuous and necessary for order, reflecting a divinely ordained hierarchy.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun maʼămar (`{{H3982}}`), derived from אָמַר (`{{H559}}`, "to say"), denotes an authoritative pronouncement, an edict, or a decree. It consistently signifies a word that carries binding force, demanding obedience, establishing law, or bringing about a specific outcome. Whether issued by human kings in Esther and Ezra, or by the Most High God in Daniel, maʼămar highlights the inherent power and efficacy of an authoritative utterance. Theologically, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty and the unchangeable nature of His divine will, which can even work through the decrees of earthly rulers to fulfill His purposes. The term powerfully conveys the concept of a word that is not merely spoken but is an effective instrument of power and governance.
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