אִגְּרָא
ig.g.ra
letter
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word אִגְּרָא (ig.g.ra) is defined as a "letter." It appears 10 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in ancient Hebrew communication. This word likely refers to a written message, possibly a formal or official letter, rather than a casual note or letter. The significance of this word lies in its connection to communication and record-keeping. In an ancient society that relied heavily on oral tradition, written letters served as a means of formal record-keeping and long-distance communication. The use of this word in the Bible highlights the importance of written communication in ancient Hebrew culture. The fact that this word appears 10 times in the Bible suggests that written letters played a significant role in the lives of ancient Hebrews, possibly in matters of business, diplomacy, or personal correspondence.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences across the text
Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to Yahweh’s house at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 30:6So the couriers went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, “You children of Israel, turn again to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant of you that have escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
Nehemiah 2:7Moreover I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah;
Nehemiah 2:8and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I will occupy.” The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me.
Nehemiah 2:9Then I came to the governors beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
Nehemiah 6:5Then Sanballat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
Nehemiah 6:17Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them.
Nehemiah 6:19Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
Esther 9:26Therefore they called these days “Purim”, from the word “Pur.” Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come to them,
Esther 9:29Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim.