Original Word: פִתְגָּם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: pithgam
Pronunciation: pit-gawm'
Phonetic Spelling: (pith-gawm')
Definition: a, sentence
Meaning: A decree, edict, or sentence.

Word Origin: Derived from Persian origin.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of a decree or edict in the Hebrew Bible, as represented by פִתְגָּם, can be related to several Greek terms used in the Septuagint and the New Testament. These include:

- Strong's Greek 1378 (δόγμα • dogma): Refers to a decree or ordinance, often used in the context of official rulings or religious laws.
- Strong's Greek 1297 (διατάσσω • diatasso): Meaning to arrange or ordain, often used in the context of giving orders or commands.

These Greek terms capture similar notions of authoritative statements or commands, reflecting the continuity of this concept across different languages and cultural contexts within the biblical narrative.

Usage: The term פִתְגָּם is used in the context of official decrees or proclamations, often associated with royal or authoritative commands. It appears in the Hebrew Bible in contexts where a formal statement or decision is issued.

Context: The Hebrew word פִתְגָּם (pitgam) is a noun that signifies a formal decree or edict, typically issued by a person in authority, such as a king or ruler. This term is of Persian origin, reflecting the influence of the Persian Empire on the Hebrew language and culture during the period of the Exile and subsequent return to Jerusalem.

In the Old Testament, פִתְגָּם is used in the context of official proclamations. For example, in the Book of Esther, it is used to describe the decrees issued by King Ahasuerus. The use of this term underscores the authoritative and binding nature of such decrees, which were often communicated in writing and carried the weight of law.

The concept of פִתְגָּם highlights the importance of authoritative communication in the governance and administration of ancient societies. It reflects the structured and hierarchical nature of these societies, where the word of a king or ruler was considered final and unchallengeable.

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
an edict, decree
NASB Translation
edict (1), sentence (1).

מִּתְגָּם noun masculine edict, decree (Persian loan-word, Old Persian patigâma (patigam, come to, arrive), New Persian paigâm, message; see Gildem^{ZKM iv. 214} Mey^{Entstehung 23}; Aramaic מִּתְגָּמָא, word, command, Biblical Aramaic = Biblical Hebrew); — construct הַטֶּלֶךְ ׳פ Esther 1:20; with Genitive object מַעֲשֵׂה הָרָעָה ׳פ Ecclesiastes 8:11 (apparently f., compare De; but Hi Albr^{ZAW xvi (1896), 115} read נַעֲשֶׂה for נַעֲשָׂה).

decree, sentence

Of Persian origin; a (judicial) sentence -- decree, sentence.

פִּתְגָ֨ם פִתְגָ֔ם פתגם fitGam piṯ·ḡām p̄iṯ·ḡām pitGam piṯḡām p̄iṯḡāmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts