(Aramaic) corresponding to נִשְׁתְּוָן; {an epistle}; letter.
Transliteration:nishtᵉvân
Pronunciation:nish-tev-awn'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term nishtᵉvân (`{{H5407}}`) denotes a "letter" or "epistle." Its etymology is likely Persian, signifying a "written document" or "edict." In the biblical context, it consistently refers to official correspondence, typically originating from kings or high-ranking officials, conveying commands, decrees, or reports. The semantic range is quite narrow, focusing almost exclusively on this specific type of formal communication. It implies a document that is authoritative, often public, and distinct from casual notes or personal messages.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Nishtᵉvân (`{{H5407}}`) appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Book of Ezra. Its occurrences are limited to five verses, all within the context of the Persian imperial administration and its interactions with the returning Jewish exiles and the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple.
1. **[[Ezra 4:7]]**: Here, it refers to the letter written by Rehum, the commander, and Shimshai, the scribe, along with their colleagues, to King Artaxerxes. This letter contained accusations against the Jews, seeking to halt the reconstruction of the Temple. This occurrence highlights the nishtᵉvân as a means of official complaint and political maneuvering.
2. **[[Ezra 4:8]]**: This verse specifies that the "letter" (`{{H5407}}`) was sent to King Artaxerxes. It emphasizes the formality and official nature of the communication, intended for the highest authority within the empire.
3. **[[Ezra 4:11]]**: This introduces the beginning of the actual text of the letter mentioned in [[Ezra 4:7]]. It underscores that the nishtᵉvân is not merely a concept but a tangible written document with specific, impactful content.
4. **[[Ezra 5:5]]**: This verse describes the "report" or "letter" (`{{H5407}}`) that Tattenai, the governor, and Shethar-Bozenai sent to King Darius concerning the rebuilding of the Temple. This letter is part of an official inquiry, demonstrating the administrative processes of the Persian Empire.
5. **[[Ezra 5:6]]**: Similar to [[Ezra 4:8]], this verse explicitly states that the "letter" (`{{H5407}}`) was sent to King Darius. Both instances (involving Artaxerxes and Darius) show the nishtᵉvân as a crucial instrument of imperial governance, used for both accusation and inquiry, ultimately leading to royal intervention or decree.
In all instances, the nishtᵉvân functions as a formal, official communication, carrying significant weight and often leading to direct royal intervention.
### Related Words & Concepts
While nishtᵉvân (`{{H5407}}`) is specific to Aramaic and its occurrences in Ezra, it relates to broader biblical concepts of written communication and official decrees.
* **sepher (`{{H5612}}`)**: The Hebrew word for "book," "scroll," or "document." This is a much broader term, encompassing various forms of written material, from legal documents to prophetic books. While a nishtᵉvân is a specific type of sepher, sepher has a far wider application.
* **'iggereth (`{{H104}}`)**: Another Hebrew word for "letter" or "dispatch," also found in Ezra and Nehemiah, sometimes used in contexts similar to nishtᵉvân. For example, in [[Nehemiah 2:7-8]], Nehemiah requests "letters" (`{{H104}}`) from the king. This suggests a functional overlap in the concept of official correspondence.
* **dat (`{{H1881}}`)**: The Aramaic word for "law," "decree," or "edict." Often, the substantive content of a nishtᵉvân would be a dat, a royal decree or command. The letter serves as the medium through which the decree is transmitted.
* **Royal Decrees and Edicts**: The very existence and function of nishtᵉvân highlight the administrative structure of ancient empires, where written communication was essential for governance, law enforcement, and the transmission of royal will. Examples include the decrees of Cyrus [[Ezra 1:1-4]], Darius [[Ezra 6:1-12]], and Artaxerxes [[Ezra 7:11-26]].
### Theological Significance
Though nishtᵉvân (`{{H5407}}`) is a seemingly mundane administrative term, its presence in Ezra carries significant theological implications.
1. **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Administration**: The letters exchanged by Persian officials, whether accusatory or investigatory, serve as a backdrop against which God's sovereign plan unfolds. Despite human attempts to hinder or control, God ultimately orchestrates events through the very instruments of imperial power. The nishtᵉvân becomes a tool, unwittingly, in the hands of divine providence. For instance, the letter of Tattenai in [[Ezra 5]] leads to Darius's decree in [[Ezra 6]], which ultimately favors the rebuilding of the Temple, demonstrating God's hidden hand in secular affairs.
2. **The Importance of Written Records**: The emphasis on official letters underscores the reliability and permanence of written records in ancient Near Eastern society. This subtly reinforces the concept of God's own written word (Torah, prophets), which is likewise authoritative and enduring. Just as a king's nishtᵉvân carried binding authority, so too does God's revealed word.
3. **God's People Under Gentile Rule**: The narratives involving nishtᵉvân vividly portray the challenges and opportunities faced by the returned exiles living under foreign imperial authority. The letters represent the power structures they navigated, sometimes to their detriment (as in [[Ezra 4]]), but ultimately for their good, as God worked through these very systems to achieve His purposes for His covenant people. The detailed accounts of these letters serve to legitimate the historical narrative and affirm God's faithfulness to His promises even in complex political landscapes.
### Summary
The Aramaic term nishtᵉvân (`{{H5407}}`) refers specifically to an official "letter" or "epistle," consistently appearing in the Book of Ezra's Aramaic sections. It functions as a formal document of communication within the Persian imperial administration, used for conveying complaints, inquiries, or decrees between officials and the king. Contextual analysis reveals its crucial role in the political and administrative processes surrounding the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple, particularly in [[Ezra 4:7-11]] and [[Ezra 5:5-6]]. While distinct, it shares conceptual space with Hebrew terms like sepher (`{{H5612}}`) and 'iggereth (`{{H104}}`), and its contents often relate to dat (`{{H1881}}`) or royal decrees. Theologically, the presence of nishtᵉvân highlights God's sovereign control over human political systems, the enduring authority of written communication, and the experience of God's people living under gentile rule, all demonstrating God's faithfulness in bringing about His redemptive purposes.
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