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מַאֲמַר

𐤌𐤀𐤌𐤓

maʼămar

H3982 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אמר to say, speak, declare

Definition

A formal statement, declaration, or directive, especially one issued with authority, such as a decree, command, or edict. The term generally denotes a statement with binding force, typically in official, legislative, or royal contexts. Less commonly, it can refer to a general utterance or spoken word, but the emphasis is on authoritative pronouncement rather than casual speech.

Semantic Range

formal statement, authoritative pronouncement, decree, edict, commandment, declaration

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root אָמַר (אמר), which means 'to say, speak, declare.' The noun form מַאֲמַר develops the abstract and formal sense of something said, specifically as a statement with authoritative or declarative power.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מַאֲמַר is a relatively rare noun, primarily used in late biblical and post-exilic Hebrew, notably in Daniel and later writings. In biblical contexts, it typically denotes royal edicts or decrees, especially those issued by foreign monarchs (e.g., Persians) or used in official correspondence. It often appears in Aramaic-influenced passages, reflecting administrative and legal vocabulary of the Persian period. The word is distinct from דָּבָר (davar), which is a more general term for 'word,' 'matter,' or 'thing,' covering a broader range of meaning from command to event. While major English translations often render מַאֲמַר as 'edict,' 'decree,' or 'commandment,' this sometimes obscures its formal and official association, especially in comparison to other terms for command or law. In the Tanakh, its use is largely confined to texts with administrative or governmental settings, and it is not used for divine commandments, where מִצְוָה (mitsvah) or צָו (tsav) are preferred.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָמַר; something (authoritatively) said, i.e. an edict; commandment, decree.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אמר (ʾ-m-r) — to say, speak, declare

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H201 אוֹמָר Omar
H3983 מֵאמַר according to decree-of
H534 אָמִיר prominent summit
H559 אָמַר he said
H560 אֲמַר he said

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3982-01 מַאֲמַר֙ maamar HNcmsc command authoritative declaration of 2
H3982-02 וּ/מַאֲמַ֣ר umaamar HC/Ncmsc and the decree and authoritative declaration of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3982-01 Esther 1:15 מַאֲמַר֙ maamar HNcmsc command authoritative declaration of
H3982-01 Esther 2:20 מַאֲמַ֤ר maamar HNcmsc word authoritative declaration of
H3982-02 Esther 9:32 וּ/מַאֲמַ֣ר umaamar HC/Ncmsc and the decree and authoritative declaration of
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