אִגְּרָא (ig.g.ra)
ig.g.ra
letter
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The word ʾiggərā is a Hebrew noun meaning letter or official missive. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, all within the book of Ezra. Unlike the more common Hebrew term ʾiggeret (H0107), this form is an Aramaic loanword. Its presence reflects the international diplomatic context of the post-exilic period, where official correspondence between Persian authorities and Jewish leaders was conducted in Aramaic.
Because it is a foreign borrowing, the word carries a specific bureaucratic weight. It refers to formal documents such as copies of royal decrees or letters from officials like Tattenai (Ezra 5:17) and King Artaxerxes (Ezra 6:11). The text uses this term to distinguish these state-level communications from private notes, highlighting the legal and political nature of the interactions described in Ezra.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word iggərá appears only three times in Scripture, always within the book of Ezra. It refers to an official letter or formal missive from a ruler. In these passages, Jewish leaders and their neighbors exchange written documents with Persian kings. This vocabulary highlights how God’s people navigated complex political landscapes using the legal tools available to them.
When you read about Tattenai sending a report to King Darius, or Rehum writing to Artaxerxes, you see faith meeting bureaucracy. These letters were not mere notes; they were binding state documents. The text uses this specific term to mark the weight of royal authority and the seriousness of the legal proceedings surrounding the temple rebuild.
This reminds us that God works through historical events and official channels. Whether in a royal court or your daily workplace, your integrity matters. Trust that God oversees the details of history and can use even formal decrees to protect His purposes for His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- letter/ the2×
- a letter1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אִגַּרְתָּ֔/א1×
- אִגְּרָ֥ה1×
- אִ֠גַּרְתָּ/א1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 4:8
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows.
This occurrence introduces the conflict by identifying the first official letter sent against Jerusalem, setting the stage for the political opposition faced during the rebuild.
-
Ezra 4:11
This is the copy of the letter that they sent: To King Artaxerxes, from your servants, the people beyond the River.
The text explicitly calls this a 'copy of the letter,' emphasizing the formal nature of the accusation and the need for an official record to be reviewed by the king.
-
Ezra 5:6
The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows.
This verse records Tattenai's report to Darius, showing how the governor used this formal term to document his investigation into the temple construction for royal judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word iggərá mean?
How is iggərá different from other words for letter?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Ezra 3 verses
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows.
Ezra 4:11This is the copy of the letter that they sent: To King Artaxerxes, from your servants, the people beyond the River.
Ezra 5:6The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the…