nish.te.van denotes a written communication, whether one sent to a king or preserved as a copy.

The term denotes a written communication in both attestations: one is written to King Artaxerxes, and the other is identified as the copy he gave to Ezra.

1. Written communication or its copy · dominant

   Both occurrences are masculine singular absolute nouns in clauses concerning a written document. In Ezra 4:7 the APB renders a communication written to Artaxerxes as “the letter,” while in Ezra 7:11 it renders the document given by the king to Ezra as “the copy of the letter.”

   Ezra 4:7Ezra 7:11

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB uses “the letter” in Ezra 4:7 and “the copy of the letter” in Ezra 7:11. The second wording reflects the verse's presentation of the document as a copy.