Original Word: גִּזְבָּר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: gizbar
Pronunciation: giz-bar
Phonetic Spelling: (ghiz-bawr')
NASB: treasurers
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H1489 (גִּזבָּר - treasurer)]

1. treasurer

treasurer

(Aramaic) corresponding to gizbar -- treasurer.

see HEBREW gizbar

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to gizbar
Definition
treasurer
NASB Translation
treasurers (1).

[גִּזְבָּר] noun masculine treasurer (Persian loan-word (Scheft⁸¹); ᵑ7, Syriac, Biblical Hebrew; K^{§ 64, 3}; in Babylonian ganzabaru Peiser^{ZAW xvii (1897). 347}); — plural emphatic גִּזְבָּרַיָּא Ezra 7:21. — see גְּדָֽבְרַיָּא. above

Overview of the Office

גִּזְבָּר denotes a governmental or temple “treasurer.” In Ezra 7:21 the word describes Persian officials stationed “in the region beyond the River,” charged with disbursing royal funds and resources at Ezra’s request. Though the noun appears only here, the function of treasury stewardship permeates both Testaments, underscoring God-ordained order, accountability, and provision for worship.

Historical and Cultural Setting

• Post-exilic Judah lived under Persian provincial administration.
• Provinces west of the Euphrates were supervised by satraps, governors, and local treasurers who handled tribute and royal revenues.
• Persian policy often financed native cults to secure loyalty; temple rebuilding in Jerusalem therefore received imperial support (Ezra 6:8-10).

Role in Ezra’s Mission

Artaxerxes’ decree addresses the gizbarim directly:

“I, King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers in the region beyond the River: Whatever Ezra the priest, a scribe versed in the Law of the God of heaven, may request of you, it must be provided in full” (Ezra 7:21).

Through these treasurers, Ezra accessed silver, wheat, wine, oil, and salt (Ezra 7:22-23) to restore proper sacrifice. Their obedience demonstrated that even pagan structures serve God’s redemptive agenda (Proverbs 21:1).

Wider Old Testament Context of Treasury Stewardship

Although different Hebrew terms are used, comparable offices reveal continuity:

• Levites guarded “the treasuries of the house of God” (1 Chronicles 26:20).
• Jehoiada gathered funds for temple repair, counted by the royal scribe and the high priest (2 Kings 12:10).
• Nehemiah appointed faithful men “over the storerooms, the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes” (Nehemiah 12:44).

Together these passages show that stewardship combines administrative skill, financial integrity, and spiritual devotion.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Provision: God supplies material needs for worship through appointed stewards (Philippians 4:19).
2. Accountability: Resources dedicated to God must be handled transparently; fraud invites judgment (Joshua 7:1; Acts 5:1-11).
3. Partnership with Civil Authority: Scripture affirms that earthly governments can be instruments for advancing Kingdom purposes (Romans 13:1-4; Ezra 1:2-4).

New Testament Echoes

• Judas Iscariot “held the money bag” for Jesus’ band (John 12:6), showing that even itinerant ministry required fiscal oversight.
• The early church entrusted offerings to reliable men such as Barnabas and Paul (2 Corinthians 8:18-21).
• Deacons were later appointed to manage material concerns so the apostles could focus on prayer and the word (Acts 6:1-4).

These parallels highlight continuity between Old and New Covenant stewardship.

Practical Applications for Church Stewardship

1. Appoint Qualified Treasurers: Seek individuals “full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3), skilled in administration and above reproach.
2. Maintain Transparent Processes: Regular reporting, dual control, and external audit mirror biblical patterns of accountability.
3. Link Finances to Mission: As Persian treasurers funded temple worship, modern budgets should prioritize gospel proclamation and congregational edification.
4. Recognize God’s Sovereignty over Resources: Whether funds come through internal giving or external grants, the church acknowledges every blessing as from the Lord.

Conclusion

While גִּזְבָּר appears only once, the office it names weaves through Scripture’s narrative, illustrating how God entrusts material resources to faithful stewards for the advancement of His redemptive plan. A biblically informed treasurer remains vital to the health and witness of God’s people today.

גִּזַּֽבְרַיָּ֔א גזבריא giz·zaḇ·ray·yā gizzaḇrayyā gizzavraiYaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts