Lexical Summary esar: Oath, Vow, Pledge Original Word: אֱסָר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance decree (Aramaic) corresponding to 'ecar in a legal sense; an interdict -- decree. see HEBREW 'ecar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from the same as esur Definition an interdict NASB Translation injunction (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֱסָר noun masculine interdict (as binding); — ׳א absolute Daniel 6:8; Daniel 6:13; Daniel 6:16; construct V:13; emphatic אֱסָרָא Daniel 6:9; Daniel 6:10; Daniel 6:14. Topical Lexicon Definition and Semantic Range אֱסָר describes a binding royal injunction—an officially issued prohibition or command that, once sealed, is meant to be absolute and unalterable. It functions as the formal mechanism by which a Near-Eastern monarch exercised supreme authority, particularly in the Medo-Persian context. Occurrences in Scripture All seven usages are concentrated in Daniel 6, narrating the conspiracy against Daniel: Historical Background: Medo-Persian Jurisprudence Unlike Babylonian autocracy, Persian protocol claimed that a law once ratified by the king had the force of permanence. This practice secured governmental stability while simultaneously allowing court officials to manipulate the monarch, as seen when jealous administrators exploit Darius’s vanity to entrap Daniel. אֱסָר therefore embodies a legal culture that prized immutability—yet paradoxically proved vulnerable to malevolent counsel. Theological Significance Within Daniel 6 1. Conflict of Allegiance: The injunction forbade petitions “to any god or man” except the king. Daniel’s daily prayers brought a direct confrontation between human statute and divine command (compare Exodus 20:3; Acts 5:29). Typological and Christological Insights Daniel’s ordeal anticipates the passion of Jesus Christ: Thus, the so-called “irrevocable” אֱסָר ultimately magnifies the greater decree of God to save through righteous suffering. Practical Ministry Application • Civil Obedience and Disobedience: Believers respect governing authorities (Romans 13:1–7) yet must disobey when earthly law contradicts God’s explicit commands. Related Biblical Themes Irrevocable Law (Esther 1:19), Divine Deliverance (Psalm 34:7), Persevering Prayer (Luke 18:1), and God’s Sovereign Rule over Kings (Proverbs 21:1). Forms and Transliterations אֱסָ֑ר אֱסָ֣ר אֱסָ֥ר אֱסָרָ֖א אסר אסרא וֶאֱסָרָֽא׃ ואסרא׃ ’ĕ·sā·rā ’ĕ·sār ’ĕsār ’ĕsārā eSar esaRa veesaRa we’ĕsārā we·’ĕ·sā·rāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 6:7 HEB: מַלְכָּ֔א וּלְתַקָּפָ֖ה אֱסָ֑ר דִּ֣י כָל־ NAS: and enforce an injunction that anyone KJV: and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask INT: the king and enforce an injunction who to any Daniel 6:8 Daniel 6:9 Daniel 6:12 Daniel 6:12 Daniel 6:13 Daniel 6:15 7 Occurrences |