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אִגֶּרֶת

𐤀𐤂𐤓𐤕

ʼiggereth

H107 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אגר to collect, gather (uncertain in Hebrew context)

Definition

A written communication, typically in the form of a letter or missive, used to convey information, commands, reports, or requests between individuals or officials. Predominantly refers to a formal or official written document rather than casual correspondence.

Semantic Range

letter, missive, written communication, official correspondence, epistle

Root / Etymology

From the root אגר (uncertain meaning in Hebrew; the noun form appears as אִגְּרָא in Aramaic meaning 'letter, document'). אִגֶּרֶת is a feminine noun most likely borrowed into Hebrew from the Aramaic, where it originally signified a letter or written communication.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אִגֶּרֶת appears chiefly in exilic and post-exilic books (e.g., Nehemiah, Esther, Jeremiah) and typically refers to official correspondence between royal courts, provincial governors, or other functionaries. Its usage reflects the increasing prevalence of written documents for communication during the Persian period. By contrast, earlier biblical Hebrew employs other terms for written records (e.g., סֵפֶר sefer, often 'scroll' or 'book'), but these usually denote more formal, lengthier documents, legal codes, or literary works rather than personal or official letters. The current English translation 'letter' or 'epistle' captures the basic sense but may obscure the original function as often an official missive rather than a mere personal message. Later Jewish usage extends אִגֶּרֶת to additional meanings (e.g., liturgical epistles), but these developments are outside the biblical period.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of אִגְּרָא; an epistle; letter.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אגר (ʾ-g-r) — to collect, gather

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H103 אָגַר she gathered
H104 אִגְּרָא the official dispatch
H94 אָגוּר Agur
H95 אֲגוֹרָה for a small silver-coin of

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H107-04 אִגְּרוֹת֙ igerot HNcfpa letters official letters 4
H107-06 וְ/אִגֶּ֡רֶת veigeret HC/Ncfsa and a letter official letter 2
H107-01 בָּֽ/אִגְּר֜וֹת baigerot HRd/Ncfpa with letters in official letters 1
H107-05 אִגְּרֹ֣תֵי/הֶ֔ם igeroteyhem HNcfpc/Sp3mp their letters their official letters 1
H107-03 אִגֶּ֧רֶת igeret HNcfsc letter official written communication of 1
H107-02 הָ/אִגֶּ֣רֶת haigeret HTd/Ncfsa unto them the official letter 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H107-02 Esther 9:26 הָ/אִגֶּ֣רֶת haigeret HTd/Ncfsa unto them the official letter
H107-03 Esther 9:29 אִגֶּ֧רֶת igeret HNcfsc letter official written communication of
H107-04 Nehemiah 2:7 אִגְּרוֹת֙ igerot HNcfpa letters official letters
H107-06 Nehemiah 2:8 וְ/אִגֶּ֡רֶת veigeret HC/Ncfsa and a letter official letter
H107-04 Nehemiah 2:9 אִגְּר֣וֹת igerot HNcfpc letters official letters
H107-06 Nehemiah 6:5 וְ/אִגֶּ֥רֶת veigeret HC/Ncfsc and a letter official letter
H107-05 Nehemiah 6:17 אִגְּרֹ֣תֵי/הֶ֔ם igeroteyhem HNcfpc/Sp3mp their letters their official letters
H107-04 Nehemiah 6:19 אִגְּר֛וֹת igerot HNcfpa letters official letters
H107-04 2 Chronicles 30:1 אִגְּרוֹת֙ igerot HNcfpa letters official letters
H107-01 2 Chronicles 30:6 בָּֽ/אִגְּר֜וֹת baigerot HRd/Ncfpa with letters in official letters
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