אׇסְפַּרְנָא
𐤀𐤎𐤐𐤓𐤍𐤀
ʼoçparnâʼ
H629 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
An adverb with the primary sense of 'diligently, quickly, earnestly,' often conveying a sense of thoroughness, urgency, or prompt action in the context of official documents or royal decrees. In Aramaic portions of the Bible, particularly in Ezra, it functions as a modal adverb modifying verbs of action, describing the manner of performance as 'with diligence' or 'without delay.'
Semantic Range
diligently, quickly, earnestly, thoroughly, with zeal, promptly, with official urgency
Root / Etymology
Borrowed into Biblical Aramaic from Old Persian, most likely from a cognate meaning 'quickly, diligently' (cf. Old Persian *asparana, meaning zealous, prompt). Not related to a Hebrew root; this is a Persian loanword found in Imperial Aramaic.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אׇסְפַּרְנָא occurs only in the Aramaic portion of Ezra (6:8, 12) in decrees attributed to Achaemenid Persian rulers, reflecting the administrative vocabulary of the Persian imperial bureaucracy. The term functions as an adverb qualifying how instructions are to be carried out, emphasizing meticulousness and urgency. It has no Hebrew equivalent but its sense overlaps with native terms meaning 'diligently' (e.g., שָׁקַד). The occurrence of this Persian-derived word illustrates the influence of imperial administrative language during the Persian period and the incorporation of such terms into post-exilic biblical texts. English translations often render it as 'diligently,' 'speedily,' or 'without delay,' but these do not fully capture the nuance of official urgency and thorough execution implied by the Persian administrative context.
Translation Consistency
The Aramaic adverb in H629 most commonly marks urgency and timely action in official/royal contexts (Ezra), so an adverb emphasizing quick, on-time response best fits. "Promptly" is natural English, conveys both immediacy and the sense of acting without delay while remaining flexible enough to cover the related senses (diligently/earnestly) in typical contexts. It therefore gives a consistent, clear rendering across all occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) of Persian derivation; diligently; fast, forthwith, speed(-ily).
Bantu Hebrew
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אספרנא (ʾ-s-p-r-n-ʾ) — quickness, diligence, earnest urgency, prompt action
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H629-01 |
אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא | aseparena | AD |
diligently | with urgent diligence | promptly | 7 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H629-01 |
Ezra 5:8 | אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא | aseparena | AD |
it-prospers | with urgent diligence | promptly |
H629-01 |
Ezra 6:8 | אָסְפַּ֗רְנָא | aseparena | AD |
forthwith | with urgent diligence | promptly |
H629-01 |
Ezra 6:12 | אָסְפַּ֖רְנָא | aseparena | AD |
diligently | with urgent diligence | promptly |
H629-01 |
Ezra 6:13 | אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא | aseparena | AD |
exactly | with urgent diligence | promptly |
H629-01 |
Ezra 7:17 | אָסְפַּ֨רְנָא | aseparena | AD |
you-must-buy | with urgent diligence | promptly |
H629-01 |
Ezra 7:21 | אָסְפַּ֖רְנָא | aseparena | AD |
promptly | with urgent diligence | promptly |
H629-01 |
Ezra 7:26 | אָסְפַּ֕רְנָא | aseparena | AD |
let judgment be | with urgent diligence | promptly |