### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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]].
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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]].
### Summary
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