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H5613 · Hebrew · Old Testament
סָפֵר
Sapher
Noun, masculine (Aramaic)
Letter, document, book, scribe

Definition

Sapher (H5613) in Aramaic (used in Ezra and Daniel) means a document, letter, or written book. It is cognate with the Hebrew sepher (H5612, book/scroll) and relates to saphar (to count/recount/inscribe). It refers to official royal or legal documents.

Usage & Theological Significance

Scripture itself is a divine document — God's written word to His people. The Mosaic law was recorded in a sepher. The 'Lamb's Book of Life' (sepher) contains the names of the redeemed (Revelation 20:15). Letters from divine authority carry binding power in Scripture, from the Mosaic covenant to the letters of the apostles. Writing itself is a sacred act of preserving and transmitting truth.

Key Bible Verses

Ezra 4:7 In the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes.
Daniel 6:8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered.
Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence.
Psalm 40:7 In the scroll it is written about me.
Revelation 20:15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Related Words

External Resources

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