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נִשְׁתְּוָן (nish.te.van)

nish.te.van

document

H5407 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 3 verses

A:N-M

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
3 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
A:N-M

Word Overview

The word nish.te.van is an Aramaic noun meaning a written document or letter. It appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, all within the book of Ezra. In these instances, it refers to official correspondence between Persian kings and Jewish leaders, highlighting the political context of the temple’s restoration.

This term is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew nish.te.van (H5406). While the Hebrew word appears more frequently across various books, this Aramaic form is restricted to the official records and letters cited in Ezra. Its usage underscores the administrative nature of the text, where written decrees facilitate communication between distant empires and local communities.

The rarity of this word in Scripture makes its occurrences significant. Each instance marks a pivotal moment where royal authority intersects with religious duty. By focusing on these specific documents, the biblical narrative shows how divine plans were advanced through human bureaucracy and legal instruments.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

When we read about official letters in Ezra, it is easy to see how human bureaucracy intersects with divine purpose. The word nish.te.van refers to these written documents that carried royal authority across vast distances. In the ancient world, a single scroll could stop construction or restart it again. These texts show us that God’s plans were advanced through very real, tangible instruments of communication.

This perspective brings comfort when we feel our own efforts are small or overlooked. Just as the Jewish leaders relied on these decrees to rebuild their temple, we can trust that God uses ordinary means—letters, conversations, and even delays—to bring about His will. The fact that these documents were preserved in Scripture reminds us that nothing is wasted in God’s economy.

Even when opposition arose, as seen in Ezra 4:23, the written word remained a tool of truth. We are encouraged to value the power of clear communication and to trust that God is sovereign over both kings and common people alike. His eye was on the elders, ensuring that justice would prevail through these very records.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • letter/ the3×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • נִשְׁתְּוָנָ֖/א1×
  • נִשְׁתְּוָנָ֕/א1×
  • נִשְׁתְּוָנָ/א֙1×

Key Verses

  • Ezra 4:18
    The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.

    This verse highlights how official correspondence was read aloud to verify its contents before any action was taken.

  • Ezra 4:23
    Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force of arms.

    Here the document triggers immediate opposition, showing how written decrees could halt religious work by force.

  • Ezra 5:5
    But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them cease until the matter should come to Darius, and an answer should be returned by letter concerning it.

    This occurrence shows a letter being sent to King Darius for a final decision, demonstrating the legal process involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word nish.te.van mean?

It is an Aramaic noun meaning a written document, letter, or copy of a decree. It appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the book of Ezra.

Why does this word appear so rarely in Scripture?

It is restricted to the official records and letters cited in Ezra, which were written in Aramaic. The Hebrew equivalent, nish.te.van (H5406), appears more frequently across other books.

How does this word relate to the rebuilding of the temple?

It refers to the official correspondence between Persian kings and Jewish leaders that either supported or hindered the temple’s restoration. These documents show how divine plans were advanced through human bureaucracy.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

Ezra 3 verses
Ezra 4:18

The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.

Ezra 4:23

Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they…

Ezra 5:5

But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them cease until the matter should come to…