Original Word: גְּנַז
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: gnaz
Pronunciation: geh-naz
Phonetic Spelling: (ghen-az')
KJV: treasure
NASB: treasure, treasures, treasury
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H1595 (גֶּנֶז - treasuries)]

1. treasure

treasure

(Aramaic) corresponding to genez; treasure -- treasure.

see HEBREW genez

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to genez
Definition
a treasure
NASB Translation
treasure (1), treasures (1), treasury (1).

Overview

Genaz, appearing only three times in the Old Testament, denotes the official archive or treasury where royal documents and valuables were safeguarded. Its limited but strategic use in Ezra underscores the vital role of faithfully preserved records in the outworking of God’s purposes during the post-exilic restoration.

Occurrences and Immediate Context

1. Ezra 5:17 records Governor Tattenai’s respectful request that King Darius “search the royal archives there in Babylon” to verify Cyrus’ decree authorizing the rebuilding of the temple.
2. Ezra 6:1 notes Darius’ prompt response: “Then King Darius issued a decree, and a search was conducted in the archive stored in the treasury of Babylon”. The discovery of the scroll in Ecbatana validated Judah’s work and silenced opposition.
3. Ezra 7:20 extends the concept to temple finance: “Whatever else is required for the house of your God … you may provide it from the royal treasury”. The same secure repository that guarded decrees now supplies resources for worship.

Historical Background

Persian kings maintained vast, meticulously catalogued archives, often housed with state treasuries for protection. Royal scribes recorded decrees on parchment or clay and stored them in fortified complexes such as Babylon or Ecbatana. The inspired narrative’s reference to these archives aligns with extrabiblical evidence of Persian administrative precision, corroborating Scripture’s historical reliability.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Providence in Secular Systems

God employs pagan bureaucracies to uphold His covenant promises. A single archived scroll preserved across decades became the means by which temple reconstruction advanced (Ezra 6:3-5).
2. Assurance of God’s Memory

The physical archive mirrors the heavenly record in which every promise and deed is remembered (Malachi 3:16; Revelation 20:12).
3. Validation of Israel’s Mission

The archives’ testimony silenced adversaries (Ezra 6:6-7), illustrating that when God’s word stands documented, human opposition cannot prevail.

Ministry Application

• Faithful Record-Keeping: Churches and ministries should emulate the accuracy and integrity seen in the Persian archives, maintaining transparent records of finances, membership, and decisions (2 Corinthians 8:20-21).
• Confidence in Scripture: The narrative encourages believers to trust the preservation of God’s word across centuries (Psalm 119:89).
• Strategic Engagement with Authorities: Ezra’s appeal through official channels models respectful, lawful petitions in civic contexts (1 Peter 2:13-17).

Related Biblical Themes

• Court chronicles consulted in Esther 6:1.
• The sealed book motif in Isaiah 29:11-12 and Revelation 5:1-9.
• Treasury imagery linked to wisdom and righteousness in Proverbs 2:7 and Matthew 6:20.

Conclusion

Though occurring only thrice, Genaz highlights God’s sovereign use of historical archives to authenticate His word, resource His house, and advance His redemptive plan.

גִּנְזֵ֥י גִּנְזַיָּ֜א גִנְזַיָּ֛א גנזי גנזיא gin·zay·yā ḡin·zay·yā gin·zê ginzaiYa ginzayyā ḡinzayyā ginzê ginZeiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts