629. osparna
Lexical Summary
osparna: Treasure, storehouse

Original Word: אָסְפַּרְנָא
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: ocparna'
Pronunciation: os-par-naw'
Phonetic Spelling: (os-par-naw')
KJV: fast, forthwith, speed(-ily)
NASB: all diligence, diligently, full, great care, strictly
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) of Persian derivation]

1. diligently

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
fast, forthwith, speedily

(Aramaic) of Persian derivation; diligently -- fast, forthwith, speed(-ily).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) of foreign origin
Definition
thoroughly, with (all) diligence
NASB Translation
all diligence (2), diligently (2), full (1), great care (1), strictly (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אָסְמַּרְנָא adverb thoroughly, RV with (all) diligence (Zend asp§re, asperenõ, Persian sipar£, asper£, all complete, Castell [1669], Thes HaugJBW 1853, 154 LagSemitic i. 48 AndrMarti, Gl. 53* ScheftMGWJ 1903, 415 (correcting Arisches im AT. 73 f.)); — Ezra 5:8 ׳א מִתְעַבְדָא, Ezra 6:8,12,13; Ezra 7:17,21,26 (compare Old Aramaic אספרן, on a weight,complete, correct: Lab223, Cooke193).

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 629 designates a single Aramaic term found exclusively in Ezra. Whether rendered “diligently,” “in full,” or “without delay,” the word highlights thorough, unreserved obedience to royal command and, by extension, to the purposes of God Himself.

Occurrences and English Renderings

Ezra 5:8 – “The work is being carried on diligently and prospering in their hands.”

Ezra 6:8 – “The full expenses are to be paid…”

Ezra 6:12 – “…let it be carried out with all diligence.”

Ezra 6:13 – “…they carried it out with diligence.”

Ezra 7:17 – “…with this money, therefore, you shall diligently buy bulls, rams, and lambs…”

Ezra 7:21 – “…it must be done with all diligence.”

Ezra 7:26 – “…let judgment be executed speedily upon him…”

Across these seven texts the Berean Standard Bible brings out shades of meaning—complete payment, strict execution, swift performance—yet each shade serves one emphasis: the task must be finished exactly as ordered.

Historical Setting and Literary Context

The term appears in official Persian correspondence (Ezra 5–7). Tattenai’s report, Darius’ decree, and Artaxerxes’ letter all employ the word to stress faithful compliance by provincial officials. Ezra records these edicts to demonstrate that Judah’s restoration rested not on human whim but on God’s sovereign orchestration of imperial power. The repeated call for “diligence” therefore functions narratively to show that the Lord, who “stirs the spirit of kings” (see Ezra 1:1), ensures His house is rebuilt and His worship renewed.

Themes and Theological Significance

1. Divine Authority behind Human Decree

Though voiced by pagan monarchs, each command aligns with prophetic promises (Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 29:10). The vocabulary of thoroughness underscores that God’s purposes brook no halfway obedience.

2. Completeness of Provision

In Ezra 6:8 the word ties to financial support: “The full expenses are to be paid.” Rebuilding the temple required more than spiritual zeal; it demanded material resources supplied “in full.” The episode anticipates the principle that ministry financed God’s way lacks nothing (Philippians 4:19).

3. Urgency of Obedience

Ezra 7:26 connects the word to judicial swiftness: “let judgment be executed speedily.” Covenant life tolerates neither apathy nor prolonged rebellion; prompt obedience guards communal holiness.

Implications for Worship and Ministry

• Stewardship: Leaders today model Persian governors’ meticulous follow-through by ensuring funds and materials reach Gospel work “in full and without delay.”
• Discipleship: The repetition of the term offers a template for wholehearted discipleship—finishing tasks God assigns, rather than merely beginning them (2 Corinthians 8:11).
• Church Discipline: Ezra 7:26 reminds the church that justice administered “speedily” protects the flock and honors divine standards (1 Timothy 5:20).

Echoes in the Canon

While the specific Aramaic word does not recur outside Ezra, its idea permeates Scripture. Hezekiah “worked with all his heart” (2 Chronicles 31:21), and Romans 12:11 urges believers to be “diligent.” The New Testament vocabulary of “fulness” (John 1:16; Colossians 2:10) likewise resonates with the completeness that Strong’s 629 conveys.

Concluding Reflection

Strong’s 629 may appear only seven times, yet its call to exact, energetic obedience reverberates through the biblical narrative. Whether laying stones in Zerubbabel’s day or advancing Christ’s Kingdom now, God’s servants are summoned to perform their tasks “with all diligence,” confident that the same sovereign Lord still supplies every need and fulfills every promise.

Forms and Transliterations
אָסְפַּ֕רְנָא אָסְפַּ֖רְנָא אָסְפַּ֗רְנָא אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא אָסְפַּ֨רְנָא אספרנא ’ā·sə·par·nā ’āsəparnā aseParna
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Ezra 5:8
HEB: וַעֲבִ֥ידְתָּא דָ֛ךְ אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא מִתְעַבְדָ֖א וּמַצְלַ֥ח
NAS: is going on with great care and is succeeding
KJV: goeth fast on, and prospereth
INT: work and this great is going succeeding

Ezra 6:8
HEB: עֲבַ֣ר נַהֲרָ֔ה אָסְפַּ֗רְנָא נִפְקְתָ֛א תֶּהֱוֵ֧א
NAS: of God: the full cost
KJV: the river, forthwith expenses
INT: beyond the River the full cost be

Ezra 6:12
HEB: שָׂ֣מֶת טְעֵ֔ם אָסְפַּ֖רְנָא יִתְעֲבִֽד׃ פ
NAS: let [it] be carried out with all diligence!
KJV: a decree; let it be done with speed.
INT: have issued decree all let be carried

Ezra 6:13
HEB: מַלְכָּ֛א כְּנֵ֖מָא אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא עֲבַֽדוּ׃
NAS: carried out [the decree] with all diligence, just
KJV: so they did speedily.
INT: King so all carried

Ezra 7:17
HEB: קֳבֵ֣ל דְּנָה֩ אָסְפַּ֨רְנָא תִקְנֵ֜א בְּכַסְפָּ֣א
NAS: therefore, you shall diligently buy
KJV: thou mayest buy speedily with this
INT: with this shall diligently buy money

Ezra 7:21
HEB: אֱלָ֣הּ שְׁמַיָּ֔א אָסְפַּ֖רְנָא יִתְעֲבִֽד׃
NAS: of you, it shall be done diligently,
KJV: of you, it be done speedily,
INT: of the God of heaven diligently shall be done

Ezra 7:26
HEB: דִּ֣י מַלְכָּ֔א אָסְפַּ֕רְנָא דִּינָ֕ה לֶהֱוֵ֥א
NAS: be executed upon him strictly, whether
KJV: be executed speedily upon him, whether
INT: forasmuch of the king strictly judgment become

7 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 629
7 Occurrences


’ā·sə·par·nā — 7 Occ.

628
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