or פַּתְשֶׁגֶן; of foreign origin; a transcript; copy.
Transliteration:parshegen
Pronunciation:par-sheh'-ghen
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פַּרְשֶׁגֶן (parshegen), also appearing as פַּתְשֶׁגֶן (patshegen), is a loanword, likely of Old Persian origin, signifying a "transcript" or "copy." Its semantic range is quite narrow, specifically denoting an exact and authoritative reproduction of an original document, typically an official letter, decree, or edict. Unlike a mere duplicate or draft, a *parshegen* carries the full legal weight and authenticity of the original from which it was transcribed, intended for official dissemination and enforcement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פַּרְשֶׁגֶן (parshegen) occurs exclusively in the post-exilic historical books of Ezra and Esther, reflecting its foreign origin and the administrative context of the Persian Empire. Its usage consistently refers to official written communications:
* In [[Ezra 4:11]], [[Ezra 4:23]], [[Ezra 5:6]], and [[Ezra 7:11]], the word is found within the Aramaic sections of Ezra and refers to copies of royal letters or decrees from Persian kings (Artaxerxes, Darius) concerning the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem and the status of the Jewish community. These copies were essential for communicating royal will and ensuring compliance or opposition. For instance, in [[Ezra 4:23]], the "copy of king Artaxerxes' letter" was read aloud, leading to the cessation of temple rebuilding. Conversely, in [[Ezra 7:11]], the "copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave" authorized Ezra's mission and provisions for the temple.
* In Esther, the term appears in [[Esther 3:14]], [[Esther 4:7]], [[Esther 8:13]], and [[Esther 9:30]]. Here, *parshegen* refers to the copies of Haman's decree to annihilate the Jews, and subsequently, Mordecai's counter-decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. These "copies of the writing" were dispatched throughout the vast Persian Empire, highlighting the official and binding nature of the edicts. The wide distribution of these authoritative copies was crucial for the unfolding of events that led to the deliverance of the Jewish people.
In all occurrences, *parshegen* emphasizes the formal, binding, and widely distributed nature of these governmental communications, which had profound implications for the Jewish people's destiny.
### Related Words & Concepts
While פַּרְשֶׁגֶן (parshegen) specifically denotes an exact copy, it relates to broader concepts of written communication, official documents, and decrees in the biblical text.
* **Written Document/Book/Scroll:** The more general Hebrew term for a written document, book, or scroll is `{{H5612}}` (sēpher), which can encompass any form of writing, including letters and decrees.
* **Letter/Dispatch:** The Aramaic `{{H2942}}` (ichtāb) and the Hebrew `{{H104}}` (iggereth) refer to a "letter" or "dispatch," which would be the original document from which a *parshegen* is made.
* **Writing/To Write:** The verb `{{H3789}}` (kātav) means "to write," underscoring the act of creating both the original document and its authoritative copy.
* **Decree/Law:** Terms like `{{H1881}}` (dath) for "law" or "decree" and `{{H2940}}` (ṭa'am) for "decree" or "command" represent the content and legal force that a *parshegen* would convey. The *parshegen* serves as the vehicle for disseminating these authoritative pronouncements.
The distinction of *parshegen* lies in its emphasis on the *faithful reproduction* of an official text, ensuring its authenticity and legal validity across various provinces.
### Theological Significance
Though seemingly a technical administrative term, the use of פַּרְשֶׁגֶן (parshegen) carries subtle yet profound theological significance within the biblical narrative:
* **Divine Providence and Sovereignty:** The meticulous creation and distribution of these "copies" of royal decrees, whether hostile or favorable, demonstrate how God works through human governments and their administrative processes to accomplish His purposes. The decrees regarding the temple's rebuilding (Ezra) and the fate of the Jews (Esther) were not mere human machinations but were superintended by divine providence. God's plan unfolded through the very official documents that governed the empire.
* **Authority and Reliability of Written Word:** The concept of a *parshegen*—an accurate and authoritative copy—implicitly underscores the importance of the reliable transmission of truth. Just as these ancient copies were trusted to convey the precise will of the king, so too does the biblical text, as God's revealed word, convey His precise and authoritative will to humanity. It speaks to the integrity and trustworthiness of divine communication, faithfully preserved and transmitted across generations.
* **Preservation of Records:** The emphasis on copies highlights the ancient world's practice of preserving official records. Biblically, this resonates with the divine act of preserving His covenant and commands through written scripture, ensuring that His word endures and remains accessible to His people.
### Summary
פַּרְשֶׁגֶן (parshegen) is a foreign loanword used in the books of Ezra and Esther to denote an authoritative and exact "transcript" or "copy" of an official document, typically a royal letter or decree. Its usage consistently emphasizes the legal validity and widespread dissemination of these imperial commands. While an administrative term, its presence in scripture underscores the meticulousness of ancient record-keeping and, more significantly, the divine orchestration of events through human governmental processes. The concept of a faithful copy also subtly points to the reliability and enduring authority of God's own written word, faithfully transmitted to His people through the ages.
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