Lexical Summary anash: confiscation Original Word: עֲנַשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance confiscation (Aramaic) corresponding to onesh; a mulct -- confiscation. see HEBREW onesh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to anash Definition amercing, confiscation NASB Translation confiscation (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲנָשׁ (K§ a) α)) noun [masculine] amercing, confiscation (not ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew); — construct נִכְסִין ׳ע Ezra 7:26. עֶנֶת see כְּעֶנֶת below I. [עֲנָה]. above Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting The verb עֲנַשׁ appears only once, in Ezra 7:26, within King Artaxerxes’ letter that commissions Ezra to teach and enforce “the law of your God and the law of the king.” The clause reads: “Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed swiftly upon him—whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment” (Ezra 7:26). Here עֲנַשׁ describes the “confiscation of property,” marking a financial or material penalty that stood alongside capital and corporal punishments in Persian jurisprudence. Linguistic and Semantic Observations Though used only once, עֲנַשׁ is clearly related to the noun עוֹנֶשׁ, “punishment.” Its single occurrence suggests a technical legal term for imposing a fine or forfeiture, distinct from broader words for punishment (e.g., נָקַם, “avenge,” or יָסַר, “discipline”). The verb’s denominative nature points to a systematized, codified penalty rather than an ad hoc reprisal. Legal and Covenant Significance 1. Alignment of Civil and Sacred Law: Artaxerxes authorizes Ezra to apply Mosaic jurisprudence within the empire’s framework, illustrating how divine law can inform civil law without contradiction (Romans 13:1–4). Historical Background Persian imperial policy often allowed subject peoples to administer their own religious laws, provided they maintained loyalty. Fines and confiscations were standard tools to secure revenue and deter dissent. Ezra’s delegation thus functions as both spiritual reform and political trust, demonstrating God’s providence in directing imperial policy for covenant purposes (Ezra 7:27–28). Theological Reflections • God’s Justice and Mercy: Monetary penalties recognize human dignity by allowing restoration of community standing without necessitating bodily harm. Canonical Connections Exodus 21–22 and Leviticus 6 outline restitution for theft and damage, concepts echoed in Ezra 7:26. In the New Testament, Zacchaeus voluntarily practices quadruple restitution (Luke 19:8), and Paul reminds Philemon that any debt from Onesimus is to be “charged to my account” (Philemon 18), demonstrating continuity in the principle of compensatory justice. Ministry Application • Church Discipline: Financial accountability (2 Corinthians 8:20–21) and restitution (Matthew 5:23–24) remain practical outworkings of repentance. Summary Though occurring only once, עֲנַשׁ spotlights the biblically endorsed concept of financial penalty as a measured, restorative facet of justice. In Ezra’s mission it affirms the harmony between God’s law and rightful civil authority, foreshadows the full payment rendered by Christ, and provides a model for responsible, redemptive discipline in contemporary ministry. Forms and Transliterations לַעֲנָ֥שׁ לענש la‘ănāš la·‘ă·nāš laaNashLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 7:26 HEB: ק) הֵן־ לַעֲנָ֥שׁ נִכְסִ֖ין וְלֶאֱסוּרִֽין׃ NAS: or for confiscation of goods KJV: or to confiscation of goods, INT: banishment or confiscation of goods imprisonment 1 Occurrence |
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