sa.pher identifies a named official associated with writing letters and with Ezra’s designation in relation to the law of heaven’s God.

The attested use identifies an official connected with written correspondence and official designation: Shimshai is named in letters sent to and read before the king, while Ezra is designated in relation to the law of the God of heaven.

1. Writing official in correspondence and designation · dominant

   In Ezra 4:8, Ezra 4:9, Ezra 4:17, and Ezra 4:23, the determined masculine singular form identifies Shimshai within the sending, writing, reading, and execution of a royal letter; the APB renders the designation “the scribe.” In Ezra 7:12 and Ezra 7:21, the construct masculine singular form occurs in Ezra’s title, which the APB presents as “the secretary of the law of the God of heaven.”

   Ezra 4:8Ezra 4:9Ezra 4:17Ezra 4:23Ezra 7:12Ezra 7:21

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB renders the designation as “the scribe” for Shimshai in Ezra 4:8, Ezra 4:9, Ezra 4:17, and Ezra 4:23, and as “the secretary” in Ezra’s title in Ezra 7:12 and Ezra 7:21. These renderings show the verse presentation rather than a separate lexical distinction.