secretary
so.pher denotes an official associated with writing, records, scrolls, or administrative mustering in the biblical passages supplied.
The term most often identifies an official in royal, temple, or public settings; several passages concretely connect such an official with documents, writing, reading, or the mustering of people. It can also identify groups summoned to produce written royal communications.
Senses in use
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Official attached to records and administration · dominant
In 2 Chronicles 24:11 the singular construct form occurs in the clause about the king's official who comes when the chest contains much silver, while 2 Kings 25:19 identifies an official over the army who musters the people of the land. In 2 Kings 22:9, Shaphan brings a report to the king concerning silver given to the workmen.
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Writer or handler of written texts · common
In 1 Chronicles 24:6 the singular form identifies Shemaiah in the clause stating that he wrote the assignments down before the king and leaders. Plural construct forms in Esther 3:12 and Esther 8:9 identify those summoned when an edict or letter was written, and in 2 Chronicles 34:18 Shaphan reads a scroll before the king.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term as “secretary” and also uses “scribe” or “scribes” where the verse concerns writing, scrolls, or written royal orders. These renderings confirm the verse-level context rather than establish a separate meaning in each case.