אֱסוּר (e.sur)
e.sur
bond
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The word ’esur is a noun meaning a bond or band, appearing in the Hebrew Bible as an Aramaic term within the book of Ezra. It refers to physical restraints used to bind a person, specifically describing the imprisonment of King Jehoiachin and his household by the Babylonian empire (Ezra 5:14).
As a loanword from Aramaic, it carries the concrete sense of being tied up or confined. The lexicons identify it as related to the Hebrew root ’asar, which means to bind or tie. In this context, it does not refer to abstract restrictions but to the literal chains or ropes that held captives.
Its usage is rare and highly specific. It appears only once in Scripture, highlighting a historical moment where Jewish leaders recount how Nebuchadnezzar bound Jehoiachin. The term underscores the physical reality of exile and subjugation under foreign rule.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word esur appears only once in Scripture, found within the Aramaic section of Ezra. It describes the physical bonds used to restrain King Jehoiachin and his household during the Babylonian exile. This rare term reminds us that God’s people have faced real confinement and loss of freedom throughout history.
While this specific word does not appear in the New Testament, the concept of being bound by sin or circumstance is universal. Christians believe that Jesus broke every chain of spiritual bondage through His death and resurrection. You are not defined by your current limitations or past restrictions.
When you feel trapped by difficult circumstances, remember that God sees your situation. He offers freedom that goes deeper than physical chains. His peace remains with you even when external conditions seem unchangeable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ to/ imprisonment<s>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/לֶ/אֱסוּרִֽין\׃\ \פ1×
Key Verses
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Ezra 7:26
Whoever will not do the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed on him with all diligence, whether it is to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
This verse uses the Aramaic concept of imprisonment (related to esur) to describe the severe consequences for those who disobey the king's decree, highlighting the real danger faced by Jewish leaders.