### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word **pechâh**, represented by `{{H6347}}`, refers to a **captain** or **governor**. It appears 10 times across 10 unique verses in the Bible. The term denotes a prefect, an official responsible for a city or a small district, operating within the larger governmental structures of empires like Babylon and Persia.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H6347}}` is used to identify specific administrative roles. In the book of Daniel, "captains" are listed among the various officials summoned by King Nebuchadnezzar to the dedication of the golden image [[Daniel 3:2-3]]. These same officials later witness God's miraculous protection of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace [[Daniel 3:27]]. In Ezra, the term is translated as "governor," such as when Sheshbazzar is appointed by King Cyrus to oversee the return of the temple vessels to Jerusalem [[Ezra 5:14]]. Another governor, Tatnai, questions the authority for rebuilding the temple but ultimately obeys the king's decree to support the work ([[Ezra 5:3]], [[Ezra 6:13]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the administrative hierarchy in which a **pechâh** operated:
* `{{H5460}}` **çᵉgan** (a prefect of a province; governor): This term often appears alongside `{{H6347}}` in lists of officials, suggesting a parallel or similar rank within the imperial administration ([[Daniel 3:2]], 6:7).
* `{{H324}}` **ʼăchashdarpan** (a satrap or governorof amain province (of Persia); prince): These high-ranking officials, or "princes," are also listed with captains and governors, helping to illustrate the complex structure of the Persian and Babylonian governments ([[Daniel 3:27]], 6:7).
* `{{H5632}}` **çârêk** (an emir; president): These "presidents" were high-level officials who consulted with governors and captains to establish royal statutes, as seen in the plot against Daniel [[Daniel 6:7]].
* `{{H1907}}` **haddâbâr** (a vizier; counsellor): These royal "counsellors" are mentioned as part of the king's court alongside captains, gathering for official functions and witnessing key events [[Daniel 3:27]].
### Theological Significance
The narrative significance of `{{H6347}}` is demonstrated in its specific contexts:
* **Governmental Structure:** The word consistently appears in detailed lists of royal officials, highlighting the organized and layered bureaucracy of the Babylonian and Persian empires ([[Daniel 3:2]], [[Daniel 6:7]]).
* **Imperial Oversight:** A **governor** (pechâh) served as the local agent of the empire, tasked with enforcing the king's will. This is seen when Tatnai investigates the rebuilding of the temple [[Ezra 5:6]] and later carries out King Darius's orders [[Ezra 6:13]].
* **Instrument of God's Plan:** While representing foreign powers, these officials could also become instruments in God's purpose. King Cyrus appointed Sheshbazzar as **governor** to facilitate the restoration of the temple treasures [[Ezra 5:14]], and a "governor of the Jews" was specifically permitted to rebuild the house of God [[Ezra 6:7]].
* **Witnesses to Divine Power:** The "captains" in Daniel were among the powerful officials who saw firsthand that the fire "had no power" over the bodies of God's faithful servants, providing a powerful testimony to their king and the entire empire [[Daniel 3:27]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6347}}` is more than a generic title for a leader. It identifies a specific administrative official within the context of gentile empires. The use of **pechâh** in Ezra and Daniel provides a clear window into the political landscape of the exile and return, illustrating how God's people navigated imperial authority and how these officials, in turn, became part of the unfolding of God's sovereign plan.
TRV