גִּזְבָּר (giz.bar)
giz.bar
treasurer
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The term gizbar designates a treasurer or financial officer, appearing in the biblical text as an Aramaic word within the book of Ezra. Its presence reflects the administrative language of the Persian Empire, where such officials managed royal resources and temple funds with precision.
This specific title surfaces in Ezra 7:21, where King Artaxerxes commands the treasurers beyond the River to support Zerubbabel’s mission. The king’s directive ensures that the returned exiles receive ample silver, gold, and vessels for the house of God, highlighting the official’s role in facilitating religious restoration through state resources.
As a loanword from Persian administration, gizbar underscores the intersection of imperial bureaucracy and Jewish religious life. It illustrates how foreign governance structures were utilized to preserve and rebuild Israelite worship, with the treasurer serving as a key link between royal authority and sacred duty.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gizbar appears in Ezra as a title for a royal treasurer, reflecting the administrative reality of the Persian Empire. In this context, it designates an official responsible for managing funds and resources on behalf of the king. This specific term highlights how God used foreign governance structures to support the restoration of His people.
When King Artaxerxes issued his decree, he instructed these treasurers to provide whatever Ezra needed for the temple work. This shows that divine purposes can advance through secular systems and officials who may not fully understand the spiritual significance of their actions. It is a reminder that God’s provision often comes in unexpected forms.
For your faith, this word encourages trust in God’s sovereignty over all authorities and resources. Whether through direct miracles or administrative decrees, God ensures His work is supported. You can find comfort knowing that the same God who moved kings to fund temple restoration is attentive to your needs today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- treasurers/ the1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גִּזַּֽבְרַיָּ֔/א1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 7:21
I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requires of you, it shall be done with all diligence,
This verse records King Artaxerxes' specific command to the treasurers beyond the River, demonstrating how royal authority was leveraged to support religious restoration.