The word parshegen, represented by H6572, is a term of foreign origin that means a transcript or copy. Though specific, it is used in critical moments within the biblical narrative, appearing 4 times across 4 unique verses to denote the official reproduction of an important document.
In its biblical usage, parshegen is exclusively found in the books of Esther and Ezra, referring to a copy of a formal, written document of law or communication. It is used for the copy of the writing of Haman's decree to destroy the Jews (Esther 3:14, Esther 4:8) and later for the copy of the decree allowing them to avenge themselves Esther 8:13. It also describes the copy of the letter given by King Artaxerxes to Ezra, authorizing his work Ezra 7:11. In each instance, the term signifies an authoritative duplicate intended for distribution and action.
The significance of parshegen lies in the administrative and legal concepts it represents:
- Authority of Duplication: The parshegen was not merely a note but a legally binding transcript that carried the full authority of the original decree. The fate of an entire people depended on the distribution of these copies Esther 4:8.
- Dissemination of Law: Making copies was essential for governing a vast kingdom. The decrees were published “unto all people” to ensure universal awareness and compliance, whether for destruction Esther 3:14 or for deliverance Esther 8:13.
- Preservation of Commands: The use of parshegen for a king's letter to Ezra, a scribe of God's commandments and statutes, connects the human system of recording laws to the divine importance of preserving God's own words Ezra 7:11.
In summary, parshegen is more than a simple word for “copy.” It is a specific term rooted in the legal and administrative world of the Persian empire, emphasizing the power of the written word. It demonstrates that the faithful transcription and publication of a command—whether from a human king or the King of Heaven—is critical for its authority to be recognized and its purpose to be fulfilled.
