The Aramaic word parshegen, represented by H6573, refers to a transcript or copy. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, specifically within the book of Ezra. This term is used to denote an official duplicate of a letter or decree, highlighting the importance of written communication and record-keeping in administrative and royal contexts.
In the biblical narrative, H6573 is always associated with official correspondence concerning the affairs of the Jews in Jerusalem. It refers to the copy of a letter sent by officials like Tatnai, the governor on this side of the river, to King Darius Ezra 5:6. Another instance describes a copy of a letter sent to King Artaxerxes from his servants Ezra 4:11. The authority of such a document is clear, as when the copy of King Artaxerxes' letter was read, it prompted Rehum and his companions to go in haste and stop the work in Jerusalem by force and power Ezra 4:23.
Several related Aramaic words provide context for the creation and use of a parshegen:
- H104 ʼiggᵉrâʼ (letter): This term for an epistle or letter is what is being copied. A parshegen is a "copy of the letter" sent by Tatnai and his companions to King Darius Ezra 5:6.
- H5407 nishtᵉvân (an epistle): Another word for a letter, it is used to describe the original document from which a copy is made. The order to stop the work in Jerusalem came after the "copy of king Artaxerxes' letter" was read Ezra 4:23.
- H5613 çâphêr (a scribe): Scribes were the officials responsible for writing and transcribing these documents. Shimshai the scribe was a recipient of the copy of the king's letter Ezra 4:23.
- H7123 qᵉrâʼ (read): This verb describes the action that gives a parshegen its effect. The copy of the king's letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai, which led them to act on its contents Ezra 4:23.
The significance of H6573 is primarily administrative and historical rather than theological. Its use underscores several important principles within the narrative of Ezra:
- Official Documentation: The word highlights the structured and bureaucratic nature of the Persian empire, where official copies of royal decrees were used to transmit orders and maintain records.
- Legal Authority: A parshegen was not merely informational but carried the legal weight of the original document. The reading of a copy of the king's letter was sufficient to authorize officials to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem "by force and power" Ezra 4:23.
- Chain of Communication: The term illustrates the formal lines of communication between the central Persian authority and its provincial governors and officials, such as those "on this side the river" Ezra 5:6.
In summary, H6573 parshegen is a specific term for an official copy or transcript. Though rare, its appearance in Ezra is crucial for understanding how royal authority was communicated and enforced during the post-exilic period. It emphasizes the power of the written word in legal and governmental proceedings, where a verified copy held the same force as the original decree from the king.
TRV