בִּירְתָא (bi.ra)
bi.ra
citadel
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun birṯā refers to a fortress, citadel, or palace. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Ezra 6:2, where it describes the location of the royal decree authorizing the rebuilding of the temple. The word is the emphatic state form of birah (H1002), which carries the same core meaning of a fortified building or palace complex.
Its presence in Ezra highlights the imperial nature of the project. The decree was found in the citadel at Susa, emphasizing that the restoration of Jerusalem’s worship was sanctioned by the highest levels of Persian authority. This single usage underscores the political weight behind the religious restoration, linking the sacred task to the power structures of the ancient world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word birṯā points to a fortified stronghold or citadel, often serving as an administrative center within an empire. In Ezra 6:2, it identifies the specific location where King Darius discovered the original decree allowing the Jews to rebuild their temple. This detail highlights that the restoration of worship was not merely a local initiative but one authorized by the highest levels of Persian power.
For your faith, this reminds us that God’s purposes are never hindered by political structures or distant borders. Even when the path forward seems blocked by bureaucracy or time, God can work through unexpected channels to fulfill His plans. The discovery of that scroll in a foreign palace shows that divine providence operates across all levels of society.
When you face obstacles that seem insurmountable, remember that God holds authority over every kingdom and institution. What appears to be a dead end may simply be the place where God is preparing the next step for His people. Trust in His sovereignty, knowing that He can bring life out of stone and order out of chaos.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ citadel/ the1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/בִֽירְתָ֛/א1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 6:2
A scroll was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, and in it this was written for a record:
This verse specifies the citadel as the precise location where the royal decree was found, linking the temple's rebuilding directly to imperial authority.