סְפַר (se.phar)
se.phar
scroll
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun sephar refers to a written document, typically a scroll or book. Occurring in only four verses, primarily within Ezra and Daniel, it functions as the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew sepher. In these contexts, it denotes an official record or legal decree rather than a literary work.
Its usage highlights the administrative nature of the texts. For instance, in Daniel 6:17, it describes the sealed stone tablet ensuring the king’s decree remained unaltered. This concrete sense of a physical object bearing authoritative text distinguishes it from abstract concepts of knowledge, anchoring the word in the reality of ancient bureaucracy and preserved history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sephar points to a physical scroll or official record, grounding our faith in tangible history rather than abstract ideas. In ancient times, these documents carried legal weight and preserved truth across generations. When we read about kings searching archives or judges opening books, we see how God’s people valued accurate records of His covenant and promises.
This emphasis on written testimony reminds us that Scripture itself is the ultimate scroll—preserved, authoritative, and trustworthy. Just as Darius ordered searches to verify facts, we can trust that God has kept His word intact through centuries of copying and translation. The reliability of these texts invites us to rest in the certainty of what He has spoken.
Whether in royal decrees or prophetic visions, sephar shows that God cares about details. He does not leave His people without evidence or record. This gives us confidence that every promise He makes is as secure as a sealed stone tablet, unchangeable and enduring for all who believe.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ [the] book of2×
- books/ the1×
- and/ books1×
- [the] book of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סִפְרַיָּ֗/א1×
- סְפַ֥ר1×
- וְ/סִפְרִ֥ין1×
- בִּֽ/סְפַר\־1×
- בִּ/סְפַ֣ר1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 6:1
Then Darius the king made a decree, and the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon, was searched.
This verse shows the word used for the archive where official records were stored, highlighting how God preserves historical truth through documented evidence.
-
Daniel 7:10
A fiery stream issued and came out from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set. The books were opened.
Here the books are opened before judgment, indicating that divine justice relies on accurate, preserved records of human actions and divine decrees.
-
Ezra 4:15
that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed.
The reference to searching records demonstrates how written documents served as legal proof in political disputes, showing God’s sovereignty over historical facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sephar mean in the Bible?
Why is this word important for understanding Scripture?
How is sephar different from other words for book?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 3 verses
that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know…
Ezra 6:1Then Darius the king made a decree, and the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon, was…
Ezra 6:18They set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem,…