Lexical Summary pechah: governor, governors Original Word: פֶחָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance captain, governor (Aramaic) corresponding to pechah -- captain, governor. see HEBREW pechah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to pechah Definition a governor NASB Translation governor (6), governors (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶּחָה noun masculine (Babylonian or Persian) governor (Assyrian loan-word, Biblical Hebrew id.); — absolute ׳פ Ezra 5:14; construct מַּחַת Ezra 5:3,6; Ezra 6:6,7,13; plural emphatic מַּחֲוָתָא Daniel 3:2,3,27; Daniel 6:1. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope The word designates a provincial governor or prefect, a civil official who administered territory on behalf of an imperial monarch. In Scripture the office appears in the post-exilic Persian period of Ezra and in the Babylonian and Median settings of Daniel, revealing a consistent pattern of delegated authority throughout successive empires. Biblical Usage 1. Ezra 5–6 (seven occurrences) 2. Daniel 3 (three occurrences) Nebuchadnezzar summons “the satraps, prefects, governors” to the dedication of the golden image (Daniel 3:2-3). After the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, “the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers gathered around” to witness that “the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men” (Daniel 3:27). The repeated listing underlines the wide reach of the miracle and public vindication of God’s servants before every level of imperial administration. 3. Daniel 6:7 Conspirators against Daniel declare, “All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should issue an edict” (Daniel 6:7). The passage exposes the misuse of governmental power when it is detached from justice and manipulated for personal vendettas. Historical Context The term mirrors the administrative vocabulary found in Persian and Babylonian documents. A governor exercised military, judicial, and fiscal oversight, reported directly to the king, and was responsible for maintaining order and forwarding tribute. The presence of such officials in Judea and beyond the Euphrates corresponds with extra-biblical records (e.g., the Elephantine papyri), confirming Scripture’s historical reliability. Theological Themes • Divine Sovereignty over Human Authority. Whether opposing (Tattenai), neutral (Sheshbazzar), or hostile (Daniel’s accusers), every governor operates within boundaries set by God (Proverbs 21:1). The temple is completed, and Daniel is rescued, not because imperial structures favor faith, but because the Lord rules over them. Lessons for Ministry Today 1. Engage Civil Structures without Fear. Like Zerubbabel’s elders, believers may appeal to legitimate channels when kingdom work is opposed. Christological Glimpses Imperial governors foreshadow the greater Governor who bears absolute authority: “the government will be upon His shoulders” (Isaiah 9:6). Earthly prefects could not thwart the temple’s reconstruction; likewise, no ruler could halt Christ from building His Church (Matthew 16:18). See Also Governor of Judah (Ezra 1–6; Haggai 1–2) Satrap Cyrus the Great Darius the Mede Forms and Transliterations וּֽפַחֲוָתָ֡א וּפַחֲוָתָ֔א וּפַחֲוָתָא֮ ופחותא פֶחָ֖ה פַּחַ֣ת פַּחַ֤ת פַּחַ֧ת פַּחַ֨ת פחה פחת feChah pa·ḥaṯ paChat paḥaṯ p̄e·ḥāh p̄eḥāh ū·p̄a·ḥă·wā·ṯā ufachavaTa ūp̄aḥăwāṯāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 5:3 HEB: עֲלֵיה֜וֹן תַּ֠תְּנַי פַּחַ֧ת עֲבַֽר־ נַהֲרָ֛ה NAS: Tattenai, the governor of [the province] beyond KJV: to them Tatnai, governor on this side INT: them Tattenai the governor beyond the River Ezra 5:6 Ezra 5:14 Ezra 6:6 Ezra 6:7 Ezra 6:13 Daniel 3:2 Daniel 3:3 Daniel 3:27 Daniel 6:7 10 Occurrences |
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