Original Word: אִגְּרָא
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: iggra'
Pronunciation: ig-geh-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (ig-er-aw')
KJV: letter
NASB: letter
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) of Persian origin]

1. an epistle (as carried by a state courier or postman)

letter

(Aramaic) of Persian origin; an epistle (as carried by a state courier or postman) -- letter.

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to iggereth
Definition
a letter
NASB Translation
letter (3).

אִגְּרָה (K^{§ 50, 3}) noun feminine letter-missive (late Biblical Hebrew אִנָּ֫רֶת, Old Aramaic אנרת, Palmyrene אגרתא Lzb²⁰⁷); — absolute ׳א Ezra 4:8 (van d. H. רָא-); emphatic אִגַּרְתָּא Ezra 4:11; Ezra 5:6.

Definition in Context

The word אִגְּרָא denotes a formal written letter or dispatch produced for civic or governmental purposes. In Ezra it refers to official correspondence exchanged between Persian provincial officials and the imperial court.

Occurrences

• Ezra 4:8—“Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter concerning Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:”
• Ezra 4:11—“This is the text of the letter they sent to him— To King Artaxerxes: From your servants, the men from the region west of the Euphrates:”
• Ezra 5:6—“This is the copy of the letter that Tattenai governor of Trans-Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their colleagues, the officials of Trans-Euphrates, sent to King Darius.”

Historical Setting

Ezra describes the early decades of Persian rule over Judah (late sixth–early fifth century BC). The empire relied heavily on written communication to administer far-flung provinces. Provincial governors, commanders, and scribes drafted petitions and reports to the king, who issued decrees in reply (Ezra 4:17; Ezra 6:6–12). The letters cited here are preserved verbatim, highlighting the accuracy with which Scripture transmits historical detail.

Function of the Letters in Ezra

1. Opposition to Temple Reconstruction (Ezra 4)
• Rehum and Shimshai compose an accusatory letter designed to halt Jewish rebuilding. Their arguments blend half-truths with political alarmism, illustrating how bureaucracy can be weaponized against God’s people.
• The king’s negative response (Ezra 4:17–22) temporarily stops the work, showing that earthly authority, though real, is subordinate to divine purpose.

2. Defense of Covenant Faithfulness (Ezra 5)
• Years later Tattenai’s inquiry triggers a second letter, but this time the content is factual and fair. By God’s providence, the search of archives vindicates the Jews and results in imperial funding for the Temple (Ezra 6:1–12).
• The reversal underscores Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD; He directs it wherever He pleases.”

Theological Themes

• Sovereignty over Written Decrees: Human documents can neither thwart nor expedite God’s plan apart from His permission (Isaiah 14:27).
• Truth vs. False Accusation: The contrast between the two sets of letters models spiritual warfare fought on intellectual and legal fronts (compare Revelation 12:10).
• Preservation of Scripture: The inclusion of imperial letters within Ezra affirms that inspired Scripture can incorporate secular texts without compromising sanctity, because God oversees their transmission.

Ministry Applications

• Integrity in Documentation: Christian leaders engaged with governments, boards, or courts should mirror the transparency found in Ezra 5:7–17.
• Prayer for Authorities: The narrative encourages intercession for rulers who handle believers’ petitions (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
• Written Witness: Letters today—whether church minutes, mission reports, or personal emails—can serve as enduring testimonies to God’s work and should be crafted with care.

Canonical and Typological Connections

• Foreshadowing the Epistles: The New Testament letters operate within the same divine strategy of using written words to shape faith communities (2 Peter 3:15–16).
• Covenant Documentation: Moses records the Law (Exodus 24:4), Joshua inscribes covenant words (Joshua 24:26); Ezra’s letters continue the pattern of covenant events being fixed in writing for subsequent generations.

Related Terms

While אִגְּרָא appears only in Ezra, other Hebrew words denote written materials (סֵפֶר “scroll, book”; כְּתָב “writing”). Together they reveal Scripture’s high valuation of the written word as a medium for both divine revelation and human governance.

Summary

אִגְּרָא signifies more than ancient paperwork; its three occurrences illuminate the clash between earthly bureaucracy and heavenly purpose. By faithfully recording these letters, the Book of Ezra reassures believers that even hostile correspondence is subject to the Lord, who turns writs of opposition into instruments of blessing for His people.

אִ֠גַּרְתָּא אִגְּרָ֥ה אִגַּרְתָּ֔א אגרה אגרתא ’ig·gar·tā ’ig·gə·rāh ’iggartā ’iggərāh iggarTa iggeRahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts