(Aramaic) from שְׁאֵל; properly, a question (at law), i.e. judicial decision or mandate; demand.
Transliteration:shᵉʼêlâʼ
Pronunciation:sheh-ay-law'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic noun שְׁאֵלָא (shᵉʼêlâʼ, `{{H7595}}`) is derived from the verbal root שְׁאֵל (shᵉʼêl, `{{H7592}}`), meaning "to ask, inquire, beg." Its primary semantic range revolves around the act of questioning, particularly within a formal or legal context. The base definition highlights "a question (at law)," indicating an inquiry made with official authority or within a judicial framework. From this core, its meaning extends to encompass the outcome of such an inquiry: a "judicial decision" or "mandate." This progression from a formal question to an authoritative pronouncement or demand reflects the administrative and legalistic environment of the Persian Empire in which the word is predominantly used. Thus, shᵉʼêlâʼ signifies not merely a casual inquiry but a weighty, official interrogation or the subsequent authoritative decree.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic term, שְׁאֵלָא (`{{H7595}}`) is found exclusively in the Aramaic sections of the book of Ezra, specifically in chapters 5 and 6. Its occurrences are pivotal to understanding the administrative processes of the Persian Empire concerning the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem:
* **[[Ezra 5:7]] and [[Ezra 5:9]]**: Here, shᵉʼêlâʼ is translated as "question" or "inquiry." It refers to the formal interrogation conducted by Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-boznai, his associate, who questioned the Jewish elders regarding their authority to rebuild the temple. This was a direct, official investigation into the legality of their activities. The officials demanded to know "who commanded you to build this house and to finish this work?" and also requested the names of the leaders. This exemplifies the "question at law" aspect of the word.
* **[[Ezra 5:17]]**: In this verse, the meaning shifts slightly. After hearing the elders' defense, Tattenai and Shethar-boznai write to King Darius, asking him to search the royal archives for Cyrus's original decree concerning the temple's rebuilding. They conclude their letter by requesting that the king "send us his pleasure concerning this matter." Here, shᵉʼêlâʼ is often rendered "request" or "decision," signifying the desired authoritative ruling or mandate from the king that would resolve the legal inquiry. This demonstrates the transition from "question" to "judicial decision" or "mandate."
The consistent context in Ezra underscores the word's connection to governmental administration, legal investigation, and the issuance of official decrees.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to שְׁאֵלָא (`{{H7595}}`) is its Hebrew cognate, שְׁאֵלָה (she'elah, `{{H7596}}`), which also derives from the common Semitic root שְׁאֵל (`{{H7592}}`). While `{{H7596}}` generally means "petition," "request," or "loan" (e.g., Hannah's petition for Samuel in [[1 Samuel 1:17]], [[1 Samuel 1:27]]), `{{H7595}}` carries a more specific and formal nuance due to its Aramaic usage in a governmental context.
Other related concepts in the Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel include:
* דָּת (dat, `{{H1881}}`): "law, decree, edict." This word represents the formal, written pronouncement that often results from a shᵉʼêlâʼ.
* טְעֵם (te'em, `{{H2941}}`): "decree, command, edict." Similar to dat, it signifies an authoritative order or pronouncement, often based on an investigation or request.
* The broader semantic field includes terms related to imperial administration, legal proceedings, official documentation, and royal authority.
### Theological Significance
While שְׁאֵלָא (`{{H7595}}`) is primarily a secular administrative term, its theological significance within the biblical narrative is profound. The "question at law" initiated by the Persian officials in Ezra 5, though seemingly a bureaucratic hurdle, becomes a divinely orchestrated process that ultimately serves God's purposes. The meticulous inquiry and demand for a royal decision lead directly to the rediscovery of Cyrus's original decree and King Darius's subsequent reaffirmation and expansion of support for the temple's rebuilding.
This demonstrates God's sovereign control over earthly authorities and their systems. Even the detailed and legalistic processes of a pagan empire are used by the Lord to ensure the fulfillment of His promises and the restoration of His people's worship. The shᵉʼêlâʼ—the formal inquiry and the resulting mandate—becomes a vehicle through which divine providence operates, turning potential opposition into an instrument of blessing. It highlights that God works not only through miraculous interventions but also through the seemingly mundane and bureaucratic actions of human governments to achieve His will.
### Summary
שְׁאֵלָא (`{{H7595}}`) is an Aramaic noun stemming from the root "to ask." Its core meaning is a "question at law," extending to "judicial decision" or "mandate." Primarily found in the Aramaic sections of Ezra ([[Ezra 5:7]], [[Ezra 5:9]], [[Ezra 5:17]]), it describes the official inquiry by Persian officials concerning the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple and the subsequent royal decree sought to resolve the matter. Though distinct from its Hebrew cognate `{{H7596}}` (she'elah, "petition") by its specific legal-administrative context, shᵉʼêlâʼ underscores the formal and authoritative nature of the inquiry and its outcome. Theologically, shᵉʼêlâʼ illustrates God's providential sovereignty, demonstrating how even the bureaucratic processes and legal demands of secular empires can be divinely guided to fulfill His purposes, ultimately leading to the restoration of His temple and the advancement of His kingdom.
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