The Aramaic word appethom (אַפְּתֹם) refers to revenue, tribute, or what belongs to the royal treasury. It is a Persian loanword used in the book of Ezra in the context of royal edicts regarding the funding and taxation related to temple rebuilding.
The mention of royal appethom — revenue and tribute — in Ezra highlights a remarkable providence: the Persian king became an unwitting instrument of God's purposes, directing royal funds toward the rebuilding of God's temple. This echoes the earlier plundering of Egypt's wealth to fund the tabernacle. God sovereignly redirects earthly treasuries to accomplish His redemptive purposes. All wealth ultimately belongs to God.